Why evaluate

[jallberg]

[This has probably been up before, but I cannot find a thread covering the topic.]

Why would I ever evaluate? Unless my effective skill is very low (~5) the chance of inflicting damage is bigger if I attack every turn.

Mogens

[lexington]

Originally Posted by jallberg

[This has probably been up before, but I cannot find a thread covering the topic.]

Why would I ever evaluate? Unless my effective skill is very low (~5) the chance of inflicting damage is bigger if I attack every turn.

Mogens

Because you want the skill bonus so you can add another level of Deceptive Attack against a person with really good Active Defenses. Martial Arts adds a few other things you can do with Evaluate, I think.

[Cybren]

Because you're not in melee range yet?

[DukeofDellot]

Because you caught the villain monologing.

[MattStriker]

Going up against a guy with a large shield, Combat Reflexes, high Shield skill and possibly Enhanced Block who keeps using Defensive Attack to papercut you to death is a massive exercise in frustration without it.

[jallberg]

Still - the math shows that it is better to attack multiple times regardsless of my opponents defensive abilities (unless my effective attack skill is very low).

Using Evaluate to get an extra level or two of deceptive attack does not make up for the missed attacks. Especially if my opponent has a very high skill. By attacking every turn I get extra chances of critical attacks, and if I evaluate I have to face more attacks where I have no chance of inflicting damage.

The monologing argument holds though :-)

M

[Nymdok]

Originally Posted by Cybren

Because you're not in melee range yet?

Gotta be in melee range, or close enough to move and attack to use the Evaluate. B364

In the games I run, evaluate is really used as a non-combat combat option. If the players are attempting to size up opponents or count enemies, I let them take an evaluate.

In combat, it is useful in that it allows you to gain pluses (slowly and with a +3 cap) without costing you anything but time (you defend normally). That +3 can be very signifigant depending on where you and your opponent are on the curve.

Nymdok

[vicky_molokh]

By the current rules, it's mostly a proper Out-Of-Range or Pre-Combat action.

[jallberg]

Originally Posted by Nymdok

That +3 can be very signifigant depending on where you and your opponent are on the curve.
Nymdok

What situations would that be?

[MattStriker]

Just thought of another reason:

You just got hit (Shock penalty) and want to do something more useful than AoD.