Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

If my character takes 5 hits in one turn (and has already performed an action this turn), for the next turn - if I choose to"defend" (I'm engaged) does that count as my "DX adjusted -2 next action only" penalty? The RAW are unclear about this one. Or, does the "DX adjusted -2 next action" penalty only take effect when I actually try to attack someone and have to roll the dice?

And, good side note here, since I took the "5 hits" on the previous turn, and if both myself and my adversary had the same DX (say "10" for this example), does the -2 DX penalty simply make my adjusted DX for the next turn lower by 2, and then allow my opponent to automatically go first and attack me, since his DX is still 10 and now my DX is adjusted to be 8, because of the 5 wounds I took on the previous turn? Because, normally, since we both have the same DX, each turn we both need to roll a 1d6 to see who gets to attack first.

Thanks!

Major Ross

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

Yes. In this case, the penalty would have no real effect on your action, since defending does not require a roll from the defender.

Yes. That -2DX penalty can be hugely important.

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

Thank you Anthony, for the rules clarification, - my son and I thought it had to apply to the next time the impacted character rolled the dice!

So, if I understand the rules correctly, if I elect to simply "defend" for my next "action", then that will effectively serve my -2 DX penalty, correct? However, after I take the 5 hits, for the next turn, my DX is now effectively adjusted to be -2 and that could impact both the order I attack and the odds of landing a hit by a negative 25%! So, really, for a low DX character, it would be wise to "defend" after taking that much damage and try and recover your bearings, if you will, before attempting another attack (unless you're feeling lucky!).

THX

Major Ross

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

Note Melee rulebook (still a free download) page 24, turns 7 and 8.

The advantage of getting stunned is that you can declare a defend and then if the enemy doesn't attack you then switch (at your delayed time of action) to disbelieve or whatever.

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

Yes.

Your DX will only be at -2 the next turn if you had already acted on the turn you received 5 wounds, since the wound penalty affects your next action. This is a change from Classic TFT to Legacy Edition. In Classic, the penalty applied to the entire following turn, whereas Legacy specifies only the next action. This lets someone recover much more quickly than in Classic.

It's always a matter of chance, but making decisions with an understanding the odds is a sound strategy.

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

Interesting point, Anthony. I had been applying the Classic TFT -2 DX through the end of the following turn. Well...at least, I was consistent.

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

I think a combination of Classic and Legacy is probably best, with the penalty applied immediately and lasting one full turn.

Consider the following situation under Legacy

Turn One
Zerxerat (DX 13) wins initiative and attacks Marmuk (DX 13), inflicting 5 points of wounds. Marmuk is now at adjDX11. He attacks, rolling a 12 and misses Zerxerat. Arja-Arjani (DX 11) shield rushes Marmuk. Marmuk's adjDX is back to 13, and he rolls 13 to save from falling.

Turn Two
Zerxerat shield rushes Marmuk, who rolls 12 and avoids falling. Marmuk attacks Zerxerat and hits ...

Now under Classic

Turn One
Zerxerat (DX 13) wins initiative and attacks Marmuk (DX 13), inflicting 5 points of wounds. It is still the same turn, so Marmuk attacks, rolling a 12, and hits Zerxerat. Arja-Arjani (DX 11) shield rushes Marmuk. Marmuk's adjDX is 13, and he makes his rolls 13 to save from falling.

Turn Two
Marmuk's adj DX will be 11. Zerxerat shield rushes Marmuk, who rolls 12 and falls ...

Now under Combination

Turn One
Zerxerat (DX 13) wins initiative and attacks Marmuk (DX 13), inflicting 5 points of wounds. Marmuk's adjDX11. He attacks, rolling a 12 and misses Zerxerat. Arja-Arjani (DX 11) shield rushes Marmuk. Marmuk's adjDX is still 11; he rolls 10 to save from falling.

Turn Two
Marmuk's adj DX will be 11. Zerxerat shield rushes Marmuk, who rolls 12 and falls ...

If Marmuk had stayed standing, his ajdDX for his action this turn would return to 13.

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

Huh, your combination method is how my old Classic group played it for nearly 20 years -- I guess we read the rules wrong! LOL

Actually what we were doing is interpreting the RAW to mean the penalty applied for a period of time, and all the stunned one's actions in that period of time. That is, stunned during the combat phase of turn 3 put you at -2 DX though the end of the combat phase in turn 4. I think that resulted in nearly the same thing as your combination.

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

I really don't know which a I like better.

The Legacy example is the easiest to track because it only applies to the first action after the hit of 5 of more. It also can limit that disadvantage.

The Classic method isn't hard to track but can be forgotten when the next turn comes.

The Combination looks like a good and reasonable compromise but may be a little harder to track.

I know that this may seem like you all are seeing hell freeze over but, I may go with Legacy on this one.

I think that the moral of the story is to be consistent with either one that you use.

Re: Reactions to Injury: 5 or more hits in one turn
 

One way to make ST more significant would be to a have anyone wounded with 5 or more points roll 3/ST after their next action to recover from the DX penalty. If they fail, the penalty remains in place and they roll again after each action until they succeed or the combat is over, whichever comes first, at which time the penalty ens.