Help with Character planning and optimization and tactics?

[Gavinfoxx]

EDIT: This part is wrong and depreciated
(((I don't know how I am supposed to say it.

The things under the "Advantages and perks" Header, where I tentatively put Combat Reflexes (15) and Patron 2 (15) can only equal 30. So 15 + 15 = 30. What's the right way to describe this restriction?

)))

And by martial arts skills, I mean stuff like Sword and Shield, Counterattack Broadsword, or Thrust Broadsword Vitals, or stuff like that. Stuff from the martial arts handbook? I think he's using the styles as written in the Martial Arts book, but I MIGHT be able to do something to get "Sword and shield fighting" to be more inclusive, if I pay for it somehow...?

I'm interested in using the shield in an interesting way, figuring out how to 'Beat' in a way that's useful (I don't understand those rules, but I like the idea of using strength to knock his shield or sword away), pummelling for close combat, targeted attacks to disable the opponent's ability to fight or defend themselves, and targeted attacks to drop enemies, I guess. Maybe some counters or something, but not a lot in that?

No horse, by the way.

[Kazander]

Originally Posted by Gavinfoxx

I don't know how I am supposed to say it.

The things under the "Advantages and perks" Header, where I tentatively put Combat Reflexes (15) and Patron 2 (15) can only equal 30. So 15 + 15 = 30. What's the right way to describe this restriction?

It does. The problem you're seeing is disbelief on the part of other 'forumites', as this is a Highly Unusual restriction.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Gavinfoxx

I don't know how I am supposed to say it.

The things under the "Advantages and perks" Header, where I tentatively put Combat Reflexes (15) and Patron 2 (15) can only equal 30. So 15 + 15 = 30. What's the right way to describe this restriction?

Again, the problem is not that you're communicating this badly, it's that it is such a bizarre constraint I'm disbelieving. (As Kazander explains)

I guess that means attributes are not so constrained, which is good. You'll want some ST...

Originally Posted by Gavinfoxx

And by martial arts skills, I mean stuff like Sword and Shield, or Thrust Broadsword Vitals, or stuff like that. Stuff from the martial arts handbook? I think he's using the styles as written in the Martial Arts book, but I MIGHT be able to do something to get "Sword and shield fighting" to be more inclusive, if I pay for it somehow...?

Styles do less than you seem to think. The only things a style does in general is give you the benefits of your Style Familiarity perk, and let you count the points spent on its Skills and Techniques toward Style Perks. There's no reason you can't have Skills or Techniques outside your style(s).

Originally Posted by Gavinfoxx

I'm interested in using the shield in an interesting way, figuring out how to 'Beat' in a way that's useful (I don't understand those rules, but I like the idea of using strength to knock his shield or sword away), pummelling for close combat, targeted attacks to disable the opponent's ability to fight or defend themselves, and targeted attacks to drop enemies, I guess. Maybe some counters or something, but not a lot in that?

Just having the shield on your arm is useful. It gives its DB to all your active defenses, even if you have no skill with it. That's probably the most important thing it does. It's likely that the shield block will be your best defense against missile weapons, though, since it's easier to raise than Dodge.

I suggest going for the Shield Wall Training perk and using a large shield. They're nice.

Beat is probably not very much use, because your ST isn't going to be all that much higher than your DX, and Beats aren't as useful as Feints all things being equal.

Pummeling is a very specialized thing to train. You probably want to just use it at default, if you even actually need it.

Are the rules from Low Tech in play? They may make a big difference if you're facing armored human opponents, particularly for Targeted Attacks.

You've also just got too many Techniques floating around. Each technique costs a point per level (often plus an extra one for the first level). If you raise 4 techniques, you'd do better just raising the base skill one level because that raises all uses of the skill. Techniques are good for one or two favorite tricks. If you do all of them alike, just buy up the skill instead.

[Dustin]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

I suggest going for the Shield Wall Training perk and using a large shield. They're nice.

Agree with this. You don't have enough points to get very fancy. Recommend 2 or 4 pts in Buckler (assuming a Viking shield), whichever gets you an even skill for the Block bonus. One level of Enhanced Block is probably wise. One point each in Brawling, Wrestling, Knife, Spear, and Fast-Draw Broadsword. Max out Feint (Broadsword) to +4 skill, then buy attributes and Broadsword skill with what's left (and always do Deceptive Attacks, dropping effective skill to 12 or 13 unless you've set up a nice Feint). Combat Reflexes is expensive, but usually worth it. Fit, Hard to Kill, and Hard to Subdue are cheap for what you get - if you have spare points look there. Don't forget basic noncombat adventure skills like Climbing, Jumping, Swimming, Boating, Carousing, Riding, Survival -- even 1 pt in each of those makes you reasonably self-sufficient. Intimidate is handy for brawny types.

It's worth noting too that Fine spears are only 3x list price, for +1 damage. This is quite affordable, and might factor into your character. If Patron isn't set in stone for you, Signature Gear might be a cheaper way to afford your sword and armor.

[Kalzazz]

Targeted attack vitals I am dubious of with a spear. Vitals are hidden behind heavy armor usually

[Gavinfoxx]

Looking at the martial arts books where it talks about the styles and stuff, LOTS of weird techniques seem interesting...


Feint (Shield)
Feint (Broadsword)
Retain Weapon (Broadsword)
Targeted Attack (Broadsword Thrust - Vitals)
Targeted Attack (Broadsword Thrust - Vitals chinks)
Targeted Attack (Broadsword Swing - Arm)
Counterattack (Broadsword)
Disarming (Broadsword)
Bind Weapon (Broadsword)
Armed Grapple (Shield)
Trip

As you can see, this is wayyyy unmanageable. I need a few, simple things to focus on! Maybe some help figuring out what is, you know, generally good strategy in general, to get the most use out of the smallest number of 'Techniques'?

Maybe someone could help me with some simple things to do, so I can have an idea how to USE the stuff in this martial arts book, and plan out how I am going to react in fights?

Like, some, "In this scenario, do this. In this scenario, do this..." sort of thing?

[Ulzgoroth]

My first suggestion would be go with fundamentals. If you're that overwhelmed, you don't need all those techniques complicating things. A sturdy shield, good armor, a strong arm, and a healthy level of Broadsword skill will work fine without any addons. Toss in some Knife to use a backup weapon, and carry at least a couple of them. Be sure to pick up Shield Wall if you use a large shield. Use whichever defense is most effective at the time, except don't Dodge and Drop unless you're sure it's ok to be on the ground.

Then pay attention to positioning, try not to let your enemies get around to your weapon side, and swing wildly with Attack maneuvers until they fall over. It's not the best possible tactics, probably, but it's not too bad either.

[Gavinfoxx]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

My first suggestion would be go with fundamentals. If you're that overwhelmed, you don't need all those techniques complicating things. A sturdy shield, good armor, a strong arm, and a healthy level of Broadsword skill will work fine without any addons. Toss in some Knife to use a backup weapon, and carry at least a couple of them. Be sure to pick up Shield Wall if you use a large shield. Use whichever defense is most effective at the time, except don't Dodge and Drop unless you're sure it's ok to be on the ground.

Then pay attention to positioning, try not to let your enemies get around to your weapon side, and swing wildly with Attack maneuvers until they fall over. It's not the best possible tactics, probably, but it's not too bad either.

Well, I just need some time to study some stuff, is all, and figure out some of the 'right' thing to do. I already figured out that, if I'm blocking with the shield all the time, there's no reason not to use Committed Attack, right?

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Gavinfoxx

Well, I just need some time to study some stuff, is all, and figure out some of the 'right' thing to do. I already figured out that, if I'm blocking with the shield all the time, there's no reason not to use Committed Attack, right?

That only gives you one good defense per turn, if that. The shield can only be used once (or is at a cumulative -5 subsequently, which is about the same thing). You can't retreat, so your Dodge isn't much good, and you can't parry. And you've got -2 to block and dodge in the bargain.

So...no, there's very good reasons not to use Committed Attack, unless the benefits make a big difference.

[Gavinfoxx]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

That only gives you one good defense per turn, if that. The shield can only be used once (or is at a cumulative -5 subsequently, which is about the same thing). You can't retreat, so your Dodge isn't much good, and you can't parry. And you've got -2 to block and dodge in the bargain.

So...no, there's very good reasons not to use Committed Attack, unless the benefits make a big difference.

What is the way I can defend myself more than once and attack at the same turn, in general?

Everyone In my game seems to think you can either defend/attack, defend/defend/ or attack/attack, right? Like if your main way of defense is block, you can use your shield once vs one attack if you are hitting the other guy?