Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks

AlexanderHowl · 12-15-2017, 07:09 PM

I was just curious how often your (or your players) actually use Committed Attacks or Defensive Attacks in play?

Rupert · 12-15-2017, 07:57 PM

I don't, because melee combat is quite rare in my game (unlike ranged combat with guns), and AoA vs normal attack vs AoD has been enough distinction so far.

trooper6 · 12-15-2017, 08:33 PM

Depends on the game...and depends on the players.

In the Arena game I was in...they were certainly used. In some more combat light games, less often. But sometimes it also depends on RP. There have been some aggressive characters who regularly used Committed Attacks because it matched their personality, likewise with Defensive Attacks.

mook · 12-16-2017, 01:49 AM

I GM primarily for first- or few-timers with GURPS, and find CA/DA just a step over the "bit too fiddly" line for that. When I'm GMing for players who already enjoy GURPS or are specifically looking for the "whole enchilada," though, totally on the table.

(I've still yet to find a group wanting to use rules for Grips.)

corwyn · 12-16-2017, 02:57 AM

We use them both quite a bit. No one likes to "skip" their turn with AoD or lose all defenses with AoA. CA gets used by everyone once in a while when they need one more hex to get an attack in. DA is the go too for the big guy with an axe who can afford to lose a couple of damage so he can parry. I imagine if we get into DF, that will change since Dwarven on an axe is so cheap.

weby · 12-16-2017, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

I was just curious how often your (or your players) actually use Committed Attacks or Defensive Attacks in play?

Committed attack: about 20-25% of the strikes the players do
Defensive attack: very very seldom, but it has been used a few times.

Railstar · 12-16-2017, 08:50 AM

Depends hugely on game and environment.

Defensive Attack is my default for medieval urban self-defence, or a similar armed-but-unarmoured scenario. Usually any hit will do enough damage, and therefore you can afford to sacrifice a little damage, while it also becomes very important to not get hit.

Retreat + Defensive Attack + Cross Parry becomes very important there.

Also for weapons like axes or maces. Often a Defensive Attack with such weapons does similar damage to a sword, so it doesn't feel so restrictive.

Committed Attack I most often see for the well-armoured guy, who can easily afford to get hit, but an AoA would invite things like Sweeps, Judo Throws, Arm Locks or other disabling attacks, or perhaps Targeted Attacks. If I remember GURPS Martial Arts correctly AoA means no resistance roll in a lot of Quick Contests for the kind of moves that can seriously ruin your day.

GodBeastX · 12-16-2017, 11:57 AM

When players remember options, they tend to come up.

I personally just used a the long attack option so I could shove my sword through an aura and stab the guy in the middle so I didn't burn alive!

~~evileeyore~~ · 12-16-2017, 01:11 PM

Personally, it depends on the character, but it's either 'all the time' or 'never'.

Ultraviolet · 12-20-2017, 06:42 AM

I play in a regularly running Cliffhangers campaign, with changing GMs.

There is a lot of fisticuffs, and some armed melee. And a bit of shooting.

Nobody has ever used a Defensive Attack (or Deceptive!). I think I may be the only one who knows about them.

I think Committed Attacks are used occasionally, but not much. I see a lot more use of All Out Attack as well as Telegraphed.

12-15-2017, 07:09 PM	#1
AlexanderHowl Join Date: Feb 2016	Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks I was just curious how often your (or your players) actually use Committed Attacks or Defensive Attacks in play?

12-15-2017, 07:57 PM	#2
Rupert Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wellington, NZ	Re: Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks I don't, because melee combat is quite rare in my game (unlike ranged combat with guns), and AoA vs normal attack vs AoD has been enough distinction so far. __________________ Rupert Boleyn "A pessimist is an optimist with a sense of history."

12-15-2017, 08:33 PM	#3
trooper6 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Medford, MA	Re: Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks Depends on the game...and depends on the players. In the Arena game I was in...they were certainly used. In some more combat light games, less often. But sometimes it also depends on RP. There have been some aggressive characters who regularly used Committed Attacks because it matched their personality, likewise with Defensive Attacks.

12-16-2017, 01:49 AM	#4
mook Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Re: Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks I GM primarily for first- or few-timers with GURPS, and find CA/DA just a step over the "bit too fiddly" line for that. When I'm GMing for players who already enjoy GURPS or are specifically looking for the "whole enchilada," though, totally on the table. (I've still yet to find a group wanting to use rules for Grips.) __________________ How to Be a GURPS GM, author Game Geekery, Blog (GURPS combat examples, fillable PDF sheets, rules summaries, campaigns and one-shots, beginners' intro) GURPS Discord, unofficial hangout and real-time chat

12-16-2017, 02:57 AM	#5
corwyn MIB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, SK	Re: Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks We use them both quite a bit. No one likes to "skip" their turn with AoD or lose all defenses with AoA. CA gets used by everyone once in a while when they need one more hex to get an attack in. DA is the go too for the big guy with an axe who can afford to lose a couple of damage so he can parry. I imagine if we get into DF, that will change since Dwarven on an axe is so cheap. __________________ MiB 7704 Playing: GURPS Nordlond Dragons of Hosgarth Running Savage Worlds Tour of Darkness (Vietnam + Mythos)

12-16-2017, 08:50 AM	#7
Railstar Join Date: Jul 2012	Re: Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks Depends hugely on game and environment. Defensive Attack is my default for medieval urban self-defence, or a similar armed-but-unarmoured scenario. Usually any hit will do enough damage, and therefore you can afford to sacrifice a little damage, while it also becomes very important to not get hit. Retreat + Defensive Attack + Cross Parry becomes very important there. Also for weapons like axes or maces. Often a Defensive Attack with such weapons does similar damage to a sword, so it doesn't feel so restrictive. Committed Attack I most often see for the well-armoured guy, who can easily afford to get hit, but an AoA would invite things like Sweeps, Judo Throws, Arm Locks or other disabling attacks, or perhaps Targeted Attacks. If I remember GURPS Martial Arts correctly AoA means no resistance roll in a lot of Quick Contests for the kind of moves that can seriously ruin your day.

12-16-2017, 11:57 AM	#8
GodBeastX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Behind You	Re: Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks When players remember options, they tend to come up. I personally just used a the long attack option so I could shove my sword through an aura and stab the guy in the middle so I didn't burn alive! __________________ RPG Jutsu.com - Ninjas Play GURPS

12-16-2017, 01:11 PM	#9
~~evileeyore~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 100 hurricane swamp	Re: Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks Personally, it depends on the character, but it's either 'all the time' or 'never'.

12-20-2017, 06:42 AM	#10
Ultraviolet Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Århus, Denmark	Re: Using Committed Attacks and Defensive Attacks I play in a regularly running Cliffhangers campaign, with changing GMs. There is a lot of fisticuffs, and some armed melee. And a bit of shooting. Nobody has ever used a Defensive Attack (or Deceptive!). I think I may be the only one who knows about them. I think Committed Attacks are used occasionally, but not much. I see a lot more use of All Out Attack as well as Telegraphed. __________________ Playing GURPS since '90, is now fluent in 4th ed as well.