Thornbush, the throat cutter

[hcobb]

ST 6 DX 15(14) IQ 11 MA 14
Very fine dagger(1d+2), Brand(1d-2), Cloth armor(1), Stone Flesh ring(4)
Elvish(native), Knife(1), Naturalist(2), Physicker(2), Running(2), Weapon Expertise-Dagger(3), Woodsman(1)

In combat moves on top of her target then does a HTH Shrewd blow at adjDX 13 for 2d+2 damage.

[larsdangly]

That's a cool concept! Isn't she at great risk with the tactic you describe, given that entering HTH through a front facing generally requires a 1d6 die roll that will often not go your way?

[RVA_Grandpa]

Originally Posted by larsdangly

That's a cool concept! Isn't she at great risk with the tactic you describe, given that entering HTH through a front facing generally requires a 1d6 die roll that will often not go your way?

I would assume that Thornbush prefers to enter HTH from her opponent's rear hex when possible for her quick kill.

[Skarg]

Doesn't new ITL disallow fine daggers?

[hcobb]

Unpacking this hack:

ITL 123: A dagger may do extra damage, but not increase DX.

Very fine daggers are a steel (pun intended) at only $200, but this balloons to $2k for silver, keeping the wizards from hacking this at start. (A very fine bronze dagger does the same damage as a fine iron dagger, but costs twice as much.)

Table at ITL 117: 1-4 start HTH, 5 no HTH, 6 suffer hit. 6 is rerolled if behind which gives a 80% chance of success from behind. (With MA 14 it shouldn't be much of a problem to give them the runaround.)

Note carefully...

ITL 40: "(but not maingauche in HTH combat)."

vs

ITL 41: No listed restriction on HTH.

[larsdangly]

I think its generally not possible to enter someone's rear hex unless someone is unaware of you, there are two or more combatants on your side, or the opposing player makes a grotesque mistake.

[hcobb]

Originally Posted by larsdangly

I think its generally not possible to enter someone's rear hex unless someone is unaware of you, there are two or more combatants on your side, or the opposing player makes a grotesque mistake.

ITL 111: "If a figure has not yet moved, it is perfectly legal for it to turn in place during its movement phase to face a figure attacking from behind. A figure which has already moved, of course, may not change facing again."

[larsdangly]

Sure, it is legally possible; my point was that you will not be able to pull it of in a 1 on 1 fight in open terrain unless the other person is a chump who doesn't understand the rules.

[RobW]

I also like the concept as a kind of scary horror in the woods. I would definitely allow shrewd blows in HTH for just this kind of reason. (Although I also allow shrewd thrown attacks.)

Her deadliness is also limited, in a good way. DX13 in HTH combat is low. The defender will probably strike first and could easily incapacitate her at ST6.