Speeding up melee combat? No surprise...

[corwyn]

Originally Posted by hal

One thing that gets overlooked in melee combats for GURPS, is the role of the Shield.

For 23 points (16, 5, and 2) on behalf of a character with DX 13, they can start with a shield skill of 18, a Feint(Shield) of 22, and a Broadsword or spear skill at 13.

First - attack foe's likely unprotected face with the shield at skill-5, or adjusted skill 13. Any critical hits get rolled on the head hits table instead of standard crit table. If you hit, a ST 11 warrior with the shield will do 1d6-1 damage. There is a 5 in 6 chance that if you hit, your opponent will have to make a HT-5 knockdown saving roll. Last but not least? Any contest of feints will be against a skill 22. This favors the shield user in a big way.

Not saying that isn't a good starter, but that face hit is only an unpenalized HT roll, -5 is only if it's a major wound. It could still stun/prone the victim if you're lucky, but not a given.

[hal]

Originally Posted by corwyn

Not saying that isn't a good starter, but that face hit is only an unpenalized HT roll, -5 is only if it's a major wound. It could still stun/prone the victim if you're lucky, but not a given.

I think I read the below a little too quickly and didn't pause enough to read it carefully. Good catch...

"Whenever you suffer a major wound, and whenever you are struck in the head (skull, face, or eye) or vitals for enough injury to cause a shock penalty (see Shock, p. 419), you must make an immediate HT roll to avoid knockdown and stunning."