11-25-2022, 10:39 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Shields Up! Fast-draw(shield) question
Just bought this from Gaming Ballistics and I'm enjoying it quite a bit. One concept I'm having trouble with, however, is the Fast-Draw(Shield) being an Easy skill. Seems to me that pulling a shield that is attached-or even strapped-to your back should not be easy to do in a 1-second turn! I'm thinkin' it should be Average-or even a Hard skill to accomplish this. Am I missing something?
I can see the broadsword & shield guy in my group of PCs taking this and then saying: OK, First I fast-draw my broadsword as a Free action. (Assuming he succeeds), Now I fast-draw my Medium shield; and if he succeeds, in 1 second he has his sword and shield out. Perhaps I'm worrying overmuch about this. Would it be a problem in a regular (i.e. non DF) GURPS game? thom |
11-25-2022, 10:45 AM | #2 | ||
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Shields Up! Fast-draw(shield) question
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Check the details of how this works under the section on guige use (p. 4) Bringing it instantly ready is from "slung" to "hands-free," which is at a significant penalty to skill (-6 to skill, -3 to block). To bring it from "hands-free" to "ready" takes additional maneuvers: one for a buckler-gripped shield, or equal to DB for a strapped one to use unpenalized.
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11-25-2022, 11:00 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Re: Shields Up! Fast-draw(shield) question
Thanks for the answers Doug! I see why you can't change the skill; but in your professional opinion do you think it would be unreasonable to modify the skill to Average or Hard?
Also, on Page 5, under the Fast-Draw skill description, success means one Ready maneuver is a free action. Which means a medium shield can be readied in only one second (unless I'm reading it wrong). BTW, I'm defining all medium and large shields as being the Strapped version. thom |
11-25-2022, 12:17 PM | #4 | ||
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Shields Up! Fast-draw(shield) question
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Fast-Draw saves you one: What would normally be 3 is now 2.
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11-25-2022, 04:17 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Re: Shields Up! Fast-draw(shield) question
Hmmm...I must be missing something here. Per DFRPG Exploits (p. 32)
"...Picking up or unslinging a shield or cloak and getting it ready for combat takes a number of consecutive Ready maneuvers equal to its Defense Bonus. [Emphasis mine] So for a medium shield, that would be two Ready Maneuvers. I was thinking that a Fast-Draw (shield) roll, with a -2 penalty for the DB (thanks for the great idea!) would make one of those two Ready maneuvers as a free action. Maybe a better example would be: * First turn: the warrior makes a Fast-Draw (1H sword) roll and succeeds as a free action. Then he starts his first Ready maneuver to get his medium shield off his back. * Second turn: now the warrior attempts his Fast-Draw (shield) roll (with a penalty); on a success his shield is now ready, and he can take a normal maneuver, on a failure he must spend this turn finishing Readying his shield... Does that make more sense? |
11-26-2022, 09:43 AM | #6 | |
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Shields Up! Fast-draw(shield) question
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Required Reading Shields Up! is based upon the materials found in the Dungeon Fantasy RPG boxed set. The books found within that game are referenced frequently.
So the new rules are intended replace the old ones where they differ. If you don't care for it, certainly you can change it back.
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My blog:Gaming Ballistic, LLC My Store: Gaming Ballistic on Shopify My Patreon: Gaming Ballistic on Patreon |
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11-26-2022, 11:00 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Re: Shields Up! Fast-draw(shield) question
Doh! ::slaps self:: That's what I get for racing to the fun parts first, instead of reading it thoroughly! Thanks for all your insight Doug, I appreciate the answers.
thom |
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