Enhanced Defenses vs. Combat Reflexes

[deciusmus]

Am I missing something, or is Enhanced Dodge not worth buying? Combat Reflexes gives Enhanced Dodge, plus a lot more, for the same cost. Is there some justification for the costs of Enhanced Defenses I'm not seeing? I guess the first +1 to active defenses is a lot less unbalancing than additional bonuses. Still, I'm trying to make a character who is real good at dodging, but explicitly doesn't have Combat Reflexes, and it seems a bit unfair to pay 15 points for +1 to Dodge, when I could be paying 15 points for +1 to dodge, parry, and block. Any thoughts?

[Sam Baughn]

Your not missing anything as far as I know. Combat reflexes are flat out better than enhanced dodge. The only reason to buy enhanced dodge is if you already have combat reflexes, or some kind of limitaion on enhanced dodge to make it cheaper (and that limitation, for some reason, wouldn't be appropriate for combat reflexes).

[deciusmus]

Originally Posted by Perfect Organism

Your not missing anything as far as I know. Combat reflexes are flat out better than enhanced dodge. The only reason to buy enhanced dodge is if you already have combat reflexes, or some kind of limitaion on enhanced dodge to make it cheaper (and that limitation, for some reason, wouldn't be appropriate for combat reflexes).

So, do you think a limitation to Enhanced Dodge: Cannot Buy Combat Reflexes -40% would be fair? (making Enhanced Dodge cost only 9 points)? I guess I wouldn't allow such a limitation on levels of Enhanced Dodge beyond the first, but it seems fair for a character who doesn't want to have combat-trained reflexes, but does want to have an advantage when dodging.

[Luther]

I think it's a fair limitation. (40%-50%, 8-9 pts)

[Kromm]

Combat Reflexes is considered realistic; anyone can have it and get +1 to all defenses. To go beyond that, you need to buy Enhanced Defenses. Think of it has a leveled advantage where the first level (Combat Reflexes) costs 15 points, but successive levels cost 30 points, and can be split up to affect just Block, just Dodge, or just Parry.

[Sam Baughn]

By the way, what is the character concept? I can't think of a concept which requires enhanced dodge, but not combat reflexes?

Have you considered buying basic speed up a bit? That would increase your dodge.

[cmdicely]

Originally Posted by Kromm

Combat Reflexes is considered realistic; anyone can have it and get +1 to all defenses.

Increased Basic Speed (up to +2) and decreased Move are both apparently realistic, and combined are the same price and more benefit than Enhanced Dodge.

I think the temptation to overprice Enhanced Dodge comes from the fact that GURPS combat system is too generous with Dodges. Multiple Dodges probably should have a penalty similar to multiple Parries.

[cmdicely]

Originally Posted by deciusmus

So, do you think a limitation to Enhanced Dodge: Cannot Buy Combat Reflexes -40% would be fair? (making Enhanced Dodge cost only 9 points)?

Better just to make Enhanced Dodge like 8-10 points and be done with it. There is no reason to get Enahnced Dodge at 15 points.

[Eljay451]

Originally Posted by deciusmus

Am I missing something, or is Enhanced Dodge not worth buying?

High dodge is a huge advantage, in a combat-centric campaign.

Presumably, the character would already have Combat Reflexes.

You can't buy six levels of Combat Reflexes, whereas you may be allowed (with GM approval!) to buy six levels of Enhanced Dodge, on top of Combat Reflexes.

(Gaaaah! If I type "Enchanted Dodge" one more time, POW, ZOOM, TO THE MOON!)

[cmdicely]

Originally Posted by Eljay451

High dodge is a huge advantage, in a combat-centric campaign.

Presumably, the character would already have Combat Reflexes.

You can't buy six levels of Combat Reflexes, whereas you may be allowed (with GM approval!) to buy six levels of Enhanced Dodge, on top of Combat Reflexes.

Yeah, but Basic Speed +6 and Move -6 is the same price and better.