Picking up things from the ground

[coronatiger]

B385 (Maneuvers in Tactical Combat -> Ready) implies that you can pick up an item from the ground in one second, while remaining upright. Is that correct? I was under the impression that you had to change posture to get within reach of the ground, first.

[Gnomasz]

I think it only specifies distance from which you can pick up things. The way you pick up things (posture change or any needed rolls) stay the same.

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by coronatiger

B385 (Maneuvers in Tactical Combat -> Ready) implies that you can pick up an item from the ground in one second, while remaining upright. Is that correct? I was under the impression that you had to change posture to get within reach of the ground, first.

Maybe it’s because you can pick things up from a crouch? (“Crouching”, B368.)

(Is this a Mandela effect? I’ve always been under the impression that GURPS RAW required a change posture maneuver then a ready maneuver to pick something up off the ground.)

EDIT: Of interest to this thread, “Readying a weapon from the ground normally takes two Ready maneuvers: one to kneel or crouch and grab it, one to prepare it for combat.” — Martial Arts, p. 104.

[evileeyore]

Weird rule I've always ignored. I certainly don't need to crouch* or kneel* to pick something up off the ground.

But charge two Ready actions, pick up and then Ready? Yeah.


* I mean, unless it's small or thin, like a piece of paper or something. But a weapon? Nah.

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by evileeyore

Weird rule I've always ignored. I certainly don't need to crouch* or kneel* to pick something up off the ground.

But charge two Ready actions, pick up and then Ready? Yeah.


* I mean, unless it's small or thin, like a piece of paper or something. But a weapon? Nah.

You can do it in one Ready maneuver, but you have to roll to do it.

[coronatiger]

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

You can do it in one Ready maneuver, but you have to roll to do it.

Roll what? DX? Fast-draw? Acrobatics?

[Polkageist]

Fast-draw if it's appropriate to the situation/item, DX otherwise. Other skills too, since rewarding cleverness is fun. Who doesn't want to pick something up with Biology?
But more seriously, yeah acrobatics or juggling or whatever, or some martial-arts skills would be situationally appropriate to at least try to use. Trying to look cool, or in a desperate situation (where it'd also be cool), or it's a schtick for someone who's roleplaying Jackie Chan who does EVERYTHING with kicks and punches.

I would also judge the flow of the action too. If it's interesting, or the thing is small and fiddly (USB drive, magic gem, grenade, etc.) then sure the extra time might add tension. If it's something like a sword, or a rock to throw, a first aid kit, and it's not interesting (i.e. they won't NOT get it for some reason) then just pick it up no-roll with the one action and get back to the fun stuff.

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by coronatiger

Roll what? DX? Fast-draw? Acrobatics?

Martial Arts, p. 104: "However, you can try a showy Ready maneuver that lets you grab and ready a weapon in one second. This requires a DX or Fast-Draw roll, at -3 if you crouch first or -5 if you use a foot to flip the weapon into your hand while standing."

[Black Leviathan]

I've let players learn Fast-Draw-ground for training how to flip a weapon up off the ground into their hand, but our games lean into cinematic moves a bit.

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by Black Leviathan

I've let players learn Fast-Draw-ground for training how to flip a weapon up off the ground into their hand, but our games lean into cinematic moves a bit.

I would let them buy it up as a technique.