Steve Jackson Games - Site Navigation
Home General Info Follow Us Search Illuminator Store Forums What's New Other Games Ogre GURPS Munchkin Our Games: Home

Go Back   Steve Jackson Games Forums > Roleplaying > GURPS

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-22-2013, 12:27 PM   #1
Figleaf23
Banned
 
Figleaf23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Default [GURPS concepts] Parry and Block

Hello,

I'm working on a setting where I hope to have some weapons and defenses a little different than what the players may be used to.

In this regard, I have discovered that I don't understand the basis for GURPS separation of Blocking vs Parrying.

What defines the objects with which one can Block vs those with which one can Parry?

Are particular movements considered 'Blocking' and others 'Parrying'?

What would have to change to make Blocks and Parry's fungible?
Figleaf23 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 12:39 PM   #2
Nereidalbel
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Default Re: [GURPS concepts]Parry and Block

Blocking is absorbing the force of an attack with your arm, a shield, or any sizable object.

Parrying is deflecting the force of an attack with a fist, sword, or any easily swung object.
Nereidalbel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 12:43 PM   #3
simply Nathan
formerly known as 'Kenneth Latrans'
 
simply Nathan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wyoming, Michigan
Default Re: [GURPS concepts]Parry and Block

And in GURPS terms, Blocking is done with a shield, whether it is what the outside world would call a "block" or a "parry" and Parrying is done with a weapon (including built-in weapons like fists or claws) whether it would be called a "block" or a "parry" elsewhere.
__________________
Ba-weep granah wheep minibon. Wubba lubba dub dub.
simply Nathan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 12:50 PM   #4
Nereidalbel
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Default Re: [GURPS concepts]Parry and Block

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenneth Latrans View Post
And in GURPS terms, Blocking is done with a shield, whether it is what the outside world would call a "block" or a "parry" and Parrying is done with a weapon (including built-in weapons like fists or claws) whether it would be called a "block" or a "parry" elsewhere.
Do note that one CAN perform an Unarmed Parry, but it risks injuring your arm. Granted, a hit to the arm is preferable to one to the torso or head.
Nereidalbel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 03:32 PM   #5
simply Nathan
formerly known as 'Kenneth Latrans'
 
simply Nathan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wyoming, Michigan
Default Re: [GURPS concepts]Parry and Block

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nereidalbel View Post
Do note that one CAN perform an Unarmed Parry, but it risks injuring your arm. Granted, a hit to the arm is preferable to one to the torso or head.
I specifically mentioned built-in weapons such as arms and claws as valid parrying tools. I didn't mention the drawbacks to doing so, just that it can be done.
__________________
Ba-weep granah wheep minibon. Wubba lubba dub dub.
simply Nathan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 03:47 PM   #6
the_matrix_walker
 
the_matrix_walker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lynn, MA
Default Re: [GURPS concepts] Parry and Block

In GURPS, you can absorb a blow with a weapon and turn one aside with your shield. The only difference between a parry and a block in GURPS terms, is that if you do it with a weapon it's a parry, and if you do it with a shield, it's a block.

I think the crappier repeated block penalty is there, just because of a shield's weight and relative clumsiness.

personally, I would allow - Enhanced Block and Parry: All [15]
the_matrix_walker is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 12:53 PM   #7
DangerousThing
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Default Re: [GURPS concepts]Parry and Block

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nereidalbel View Post
Blocking is absorbing the force of an attack with your arm, a shield, or any sizable object.

Parrying is deflecting the force of an attack with a fist, sword, or any easily swung object.
As far as I know, in GURPS terms you cannot block with an arm directly. The two items that you can block with are a shield or a cloak.
__________________
A little learning is a dangerous thing.
Warning: Invertebrate Punnster - Spinelessly Unable to Resist a Pun
Dangerous Thoughts, my blog about GURPS and life.
DangerousThing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 01:01 PM   #8
Nereidalbel
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Default Re: [GURPS concepts]Parry and Block

Quote:
Originally Posted by DangerousThing View Post
As far as I know, in GURPS terms you cannot block with an arm directly. The two items that you can block with are a shield or a cloak.
Blocking with your arm in GURPS terms is Unarmed Parry. However, it's still blocking in the real world.
Nereidalbel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 04:00 PM   #9
DangerousThing
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Default Re: [GURPS concepts]Parry and Block

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nereidalbel View Post
Blocking with your arm in GURPS terms is Unarmed Parry. However, it's still blocking in the real world.
The OP seems to be asking in GURPS terms. In GURPS, blocks are only for shields and cloaks.
__________________
A little learning is a dangerous thing.
Warning: Invertebrate Punnster - Spinelessly Unable to Resist a Pun
Dangerous Thoughts, my blog about GURPS and life.
DangerousThing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2013, 01:17 PM   #10
Polydamas
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Central Europe
Default Re: [GURPS concepts]Parry and Block

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nereidalbel View Post
Blocking is absorbing the force of an attack with your arm, a shield, or any sizable object.

Parrying is deflecting the force of an attack with a fist, sword, or any easily swung object.
That may be the usage in a martial art which you practice, but I don't think it is how GURPS uses those terms. In GURPS, it appears that you Block with Shield and Buckler skill and Parry with all other combat skills, and that Blocking is good against muscle-powered projectiles but bad at defending multiple times per turn. You also cannot use the Cross Parry option with a Shield or Buckler weapon, even though it is the standard way of parrying in some sword-and-buckler styles. MA "What is a Parry?" and "What is a Block?" are relevant here ...
__________________
"It is easier to banish a habit of thought than a piece of knowledge." H. Beam Piper

This forum got less aggravating when I started using the ignore feature
Polydamas is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
active defense, block, combat, parry

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Fnords are Off
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.