Reversed grip and defenseive attacks

[hal]

Subject line says it all...


Can a warrior using a reversed grip, also utilize defensive attacks? If so, would the penalties to damage stack together - or would the maximum penalty to damage be equal to just the worst of the attack form?

[Jason Packer]

I'm not aware of an official ruling on this (perhaps the author will notice and chime in) but I would allow it only with the penalties being stacked, lest it become too useful.

[aesir23]

Unless otherwise stated, combat options can be used together and the penalties and bonuses stack.

So, yes, you could absolutely use Defensive Attack from a Reversed Grip. It is even, sometimes, a good idea. And yes, all the penalties stack.

And remember, Reversed grip has a damage BONUS when thrusting, and (IIRC, IDHMBWM) Defensive Attack's bonus to defense doesn't only affect the attacking weapon. So, a warrior with a shield and a spear held in a reverse grip might use defense attack quiet effectively--the RG thrusting bonus will cancel out some of the DA penalty, and the defense bonus can be passed on to the Block, pretty much ignoring the parry penalty from RG.

[Tomsdad]

Since one is a grip choice and one is an attack choice and neither would seem to counter act or override the other's effects

I'd say that you combine the effects of both.

That's certainly how I run it.

[Peter V. Dell'Orto]

Originally Posted by hal

Can a warrior using a reversed grip, also utilize defensive attacks? If so, would the penalties to damage stack together - or would the maximum penalty to damage be equal to just the worst of the attack form?

Yes. The effects stack.