YOU'RE the GM: the last chance archer

[MikMod]

Originally Posted by Shostak

You can, once, with the "On-Last-Shot Missile Attack" option. It comes after pole weapon charges. The wording on ITL 111 is quite clear that these pole weapon attacks are resolved before all other attacks in that particular melee. Further, the description of last-shot missile attacks in no way implies that the archer would attack out of DX order, never mind acting before a pole weapon.

1) Nowhere does it ever say an engaged missile user can fire. I've never allowed this and I'm pretty sure that is RAW isn't it?

2) The justification for why the pole weapon user goes first is based very clearly on weapon length, and the effective length of missile weapons is of course greater.

3) The wording for ONE-LAST-SHOT clearly says 'release an arrow at a charging enemy' - not one who has finished charging and hit you already! Clearly, to me at least, this happens before the attacker closes with you. This totally implies it happens before usual attacks are resolved, otherwise it isn't one last shot at all is it - it's just a normal shot after you get engaged and possibly killed, so maybe no shot at all!

4) Nowhere does it explicitly say that pole weapon should beat one-last-shot.

[Shostak]

Since the One-Last-Shot Missile Attack is an option for engaged figures, it logically follows that it is possible for an engaged figure to make a missile weapon attack, albeit a final one.

Since the rules do say that pole weapon charges are resolved prior to all other attacks, and One-Last-Shot Missile Attack does not say that it trumps pole charges, I think any interpretation that the missile attack would occur at any privileged time very liberal. But, hey, it's your table, so it's your call.

[larsdangly]

Attacks never happen in the midst of the movement phase, so I don't think there is any basis for a ruling that considers the missile user firing as the charging attacker moves through several hexes prior to reaching engaged range. I understand that it is our physical intuition that you could loose an arrow at a target as it runs toward you (i.e., during movement phase), but nothing in the rules permits it.

[MikMod]

Okay guys - you convinced me! :)

Thank you.

[Chris Rice]

Originally Posted by larsdangly

Attacks never happen in the midst of the movement phase, so I don't think there is any basis for a ruling that considers the missile user firing as the charging attacker moves through several hexes prior to reaching engaged range. I understand that it is our physical intuition that you could loose an arrow at a target as it runs toward you (i.e., during movement phase), but nothing in the rules permits it.

Actually that's a good point. A target could move across the board and behind cover in his movement phase and there's nothing an archer can do about it as all firing is done after movement.

I guess I'll just go with RAW and have the archer fire after the charge. If he survives. The poor bugger can't even defend as the bow doesn't count as a ready weapon as far as the Defence option is concerned. 😬😬

[MikMod]

Originally Posted by Chris Rice

Actually that's a good point. A target could move across the board and behind cover in his movement phase and there's nothing an archer can do about it as all firing is done after movement.

I guess I'll just go with RAW and have the archer fire after the charge. If he survives. The poor bugger can't even defend as the bow doesn't count as a ready weapon as far as the Defence option is concerned. 😬😬

The rules say you can use a bow to defend, it just gets trashed. Unfortunately the one last shot action means you drop your bow...

[MikMod]

Also, just to be picky, HTH 'attacks' can get resolved in the movement phase, so not all 'actions' happen after movement... ;)

[MikMod]

Originally Posted by Chris Rice

Actually that's a good point. A target could move across the board and behind cover in his movement phase and there's nothing an archer can do about it as all firing is done after movement.

I think Skarg had a house rule for that, where if you spend a turn aiming up then if someone breaks cover and your ready for them you DO get to fire at them. Which sounds sensible.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by MikMod

Also, just to be picky, HTH 'attacks' can get resolved in the movement phase, so not all 'actions' happen after movement... ;)

Entering HTH happens during movement, but the attacks don't (except, the case of a 6 on the roll resolving the attempt to enter HTH).

[Chris Rice]

Originally Posted by MikMod

The rules say you can use a bow to defend, it just gets trashed. Unfortunately the one last shot action means you drop your bow...

What rules? Melee p.20 "a figure may only Defend with a non missile weapon ready..."

Maybe ITL says something different but I'm working from Melee at present.