Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - when would weapons occupy rear hexes instead of front hexes?

Pursuivant · 05-22-2022, 09:52 AM

If you "choke up" on a polearm or spear (i.e., a 1-hex Reach rather than 2 hexes) then that extra length has to go somewhere.

Assume that each yard of Reach not to the front of the wielder occupies (Reach-1) hexes to the user's rear. That is, (Reach) hexes to the front, 1 hex occupied by the weapon & user, and the remainder to the user's rear.

Practically, this might only make a difference when fighting in extremely enclosed areas, like inside a vehicle or a narrow corridor.

As a suggestion, apply a -2 penalty missing yard of space to use a weapon if you don't have enough space to your rear. The weapon's length limits your ability to Parry and strike effectively.

If you're actively using a weapon to actively cover side and rear hexes, that's covered by the Back Strike technique and your ability to make inaccurate attacks to your Side hexes. Back Strike technique could easily be expanded to allow more effective attacks to Side hexes, not just rear hexes. That would model some of the tricks that staff and greatsword fighters can do.

05-22-2022, 09:52 AM	#4
Pursuivant Join Date: Apr 2005	Re: when would weapons occupy rear hexes instead of front hexes? If you "choke up" on a polearm or spear (i.e., a 1-hex Reach rather than 2 hexes) then that extra length has to go somewhere. Assume that each yard of Reach not to the front of the wielder occupies (Reach-1) hexes to the user's rear. That is, (Reach) hexes to the front, 1 hex occupied by the weapon & user, and the remainder to the user's rear. Practically, this might only make a difference when fighting in extremely enclosed areas, like inside a vehicle or a narrow corridor. As a suggestion, apply a -2 penalty missing yard of space to use a weapon if you don't have enough space to your rear. The weapon's length limits your ability to Parry and strike effectively. If you're actively using a weapon to actively cover side and rear hexes, that's covered by the Back Strike technique and your ability to make inaccurate attacks to your Side hexes. Back Strike technique could easily be expanded to allow more effective attacks to Side hexes, not just rear hexes. That would model some of the tricks that staff and greatsword fighters can do.