wait and counterattack

[Gigermann]

"Wait+Counterattack" really sounds, mechanically, like a "Riposte"

[Edit] In retrospect, both Riposte and Counterattack would have the same issues when used as part of a Wait

[Ulzgoroth]

I really don't see any reason to limit the triggering conditions for a Wait beyond 'your character must be able to perceive it' and 'you must specify the trigger and response in advance'. So having your wait trigger after somebody's attack rather than preempting it seems fine to me.

[jacobmuller]

The problem is, GURPS terms for the game mechanics aren't necessarily how we'd describe things in real life.
IMHO Counterattack doesn't work that way. Sounds more like you're doing Stop Hit, MA pg108. And, if you manage to Parry during the Stop Hit, you can Counterattack on your next turn.
Edit: I'm wrong

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

The problem is, GURPS terms for the game mechanics aren't necessarily how we'd describe things in real life.
IMHO Counterattack doesn't work that way. Sounds more like you're doing Stop Hit, MA pg108. And, if you manage to Parry during the Stop Hit, you can Counterattack on your next turn.

...but that's exactly how counterattack works. After you parry a hit, you're allowed to use counterattack when making an attack.

Sure, you're free to do that on your next turn, which is the normal way to use it. But is there any reason you shouldn't be permitted to take that opportunity in a Wait action instead?

[jacobmuller]

Just confuses my poor ol' brain:D
But whatever the experts say is okay, is good.
Edit see below

[corwyn]

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

No, a Wait simply delays your action until(if) it is triggered later during your turn.

This does mean that if used cleverly, you can get two consecutive attacks on the same foe without letting them attack you inbetween. E.g.

Alpha Turn 1: I take a Wait Maneuver. I'm going to wait to attack Beta until after he attacks me.
Beta Turn 1: I attack Alpha. [Beta attacks Alpha--which is resolved. As this was the trigger for Alpha's Wait, Alpha now attacks Beta--which is resolved.]
Alpha Turn 2: I attack Beta.

I'm a bit more concerned with this abuse:

Is there anything, mechanically, preventing Alpha attacking with an All-out attack, thereby getting all the benefits and none of the disadvantages - assuming he only has one opponent.

I realize Beta could do the same back to Alpha afterwards - assuming he's still standing. But that might be a big if. And it creates a never-ending cycle.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by corwyn

Is there anything, mechanically, preventing Alpha attacking with an All-out attack, thereby getting all the benefits and none of the disadvantages - assuming he only has one opponent.

Alpha can only take an All-Out Attack if he hasn't taken any Active Defenses since he took the Wait. Which means he needs to just take Beta's hit if he wants to do this.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Alpha can only take an All-Out Attack if he hasn't taken any Active Defenses since he took the Wait. Which means he needs to just take Beta's hit if he wants to do this.

Though it does allow a setup where Alpha decides whether or not to take the all-out attack after finding out whether or not Beta scored a hit that turn, if my interpretation of the Wait text is correct.

Though Alpha may have to give up their move that turn entirely if they try that trick and then chose to defend. I'm not sure...I'd have to go parse my Basic Set.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

Though it does allow a setup where Alpha decides whether or not to take the all-out attack after finding out whether or not Beta scored a hit that turn, if my interpretation of the Wait text is correct.

Though Alpha may have to give up their move that turn entirely if they try that trick and then chose to defend. I'm not sure...I'd have to go parse my Basic Set.

It says you have to specify the exact Maneuver you are taking. It then seems to imply that you can convert the Wait into an Attack if you can't All-Out Attack. Contradictory, a bit.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

It says you have to specify the exact Maneuver you are taking. It then seems to imply that you can convert the Wait into an Attack if you can't All-Out Attack. Contradictory, a bit.

...That was about what I thought I remembered.