when to use -4 or -6 instead of -5 to hit unseen foes in melee combat

Plane · 10-11-2020, 12:47 PM

B388 Wild Swing usually uses -5 "against a foe you can't see"

B547 mentions under Visibility one normally uses -6 for "cannot see foe" except when "know his location to within one yard" where it becomes -4

I don't know if these are perhaps meant to stack or replace one another.

I'm wondering how you would RP estimating "within one yard" to get the -4. Does "within one" for example mean you correctly guess the specific hex, or would it also apply if you guess one of his adjacent hexes instead?

In the -6 situations, how exactly do you even have a chance to hit someone at all if you're aiming your target at the wrong hex?

547 includes the same note as 388 about final skill not surpassing 9, but doesn't mention the inability to make targeted hits, or the inability to make thrusting attacks beyond 1 yard.

It seems like it should be possible (just very improbable) to hit with thrusting attacks at 2+ yards, but maybe that should have a 'soft cap' by increasing penalties, something like giving thrusting a "reach cubed" penalty?

"Shooting Blind" on B389 says to use Wild Swing moves, but non ST-based weapons do not use "thrust" damage so the "distance of more than one yard" restriction wouldn't apply... but if you can hit at 2+ yards with a bullet then why not with an arrow/knife?

10-11-2020, 12:47 PM	#1
Plane Join Date: Aug 2018	when to use -4 or -6 instead of -5 to hit unseen foes in melee combat B388 Wild Swing usually uses -5 "against a foe you can't see" B547 mentions under Visibility one normally uses -6 for "cannot see foe" except when "know his location to within one yard" where it becomes -4 I don't know if these are perhaps meant to stack or replace one another. I'm wondering how you would RP estimating "within one yard" to get the -4. Does "within one" for example mean you correctly guess the specific hex, or would it also apply if you guess one of his adjacent hexes instead? In the -6 situations, how exactly do you even have a chance to hit someone at all if you're aiming your target at the wrong hex? 547 includes the same note as 388 about final skill not surpassing 9, but doesn't mention the inability to make targeted hits, or the inability to make thrusting attacks beyond 1 yard. It seems like it should be possible (just very improbable) to hit with thrusting attacks at 2+ yards, but maybe that should have a 'soft cap' by increasing penalties, something like giving thrusting a "reach cubed" penalty? "Shooting Blind" on B389 says to use Wild Swing moves, but non ST-based weapons do not use "thrust" damage so the "distance of more than one yard" restriction wouldn't apply... but if you can hit at 2+ yards with a bullet then why not with an arrow/knife?