Dirty Tricks in combat

[Maz]

Hmh, this illustrates my problem with understanding Dirty Tricks.

Because as I see it most of these examples are simple normal combat actions. They might be considered "unfair" but they are not GURPS Dirty Tricks. I don't see anything about them that fall under the rules of "Dirty Tricks" (Potentially requiring IQ checks).

But I think it is also because what really confuse me is, what benefit should you get from making a Dirty Trick. The Liquid in face has clear rules for it.

The "Hey look behind you" I would say is a classic Dirty Trick which IMO would be an opposed IQ check. but what should it do? should it mean the other target spends his entire turn turning around to look behind him?
Or what about "your shoes untied" what benefit would it give me? Same with the "fishing with Gandhi". Would I scarifies my entire turn to do these and what would the actual rules-benefit be? I tend to agree with Wellspring that these are simply Ruses. Not Dirty Tricks.

"launch something to him, with a loose trajectory - no straight - trying to take advantage of his instict to grab it" This one I think is a pretty clever one. It has a pretty logical setup "Hey, think fast!" and the result is pretty obvious (grab thrown object) but should it also make him drop a weapon in order to catch the thing?


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So I guess my question is more "What is a dirty trick" and what benefit does it give?

[Dammann]

Originally Posted by Maz

"launch something to him, with a loose trajectory - no straight - trying to take advantage of his instict to grab it" This one I think is a pretty clever one. It has a pretty logical setup "Hey, think fast!" and the result is pretty obvious (grab thrown object) but should it also make him drop a weapon in order to catch the thing?

No, but if the opponent looks up to track the thrown object, you might hit him with a more direct (not arcing) ranged attack? employing a AoA (Double)? Or maybe that is a ranged Feint? Classic snow ball fighting dirty trick. I think this is a pretty great example! Dicerning at a glance where the real threat lies could work as a roll vs IQ.

[Dammann]

Originally Posted by Maz

So I guess my question is more "What is a dirty trick" and what benefit does it give?

My answer would be that the specific effect depends on the trick, but you are seeking to give the opponent a penalty to attack on the subsequent round or on their active defenses immediately. Saying "look, the Goodyear Blimp!" might cause the opponent to change his facing if he fails to win a quick contest. Throwing a snow ball in a high arc to draw the eyes upward might give a penalty to Dodge on the follow-up snow ball (again, if they fail the quick contest or whatever). Yanking on the rug they are standing on might require a DX based quick contest, to avoid a -1 or -2 penalty (on active defenses or their next attack). Flashing a light in the opponents eyes might cause a penalty fodue to vision impairment the next round, whatever.

[aesir23]

Originally Posted by Maz

Hmh, this illustrates my problem with understanding Dirty Tricks.

Because as I see it most of these examples are simple normal combat actions. They might be considered "unfair" but they are not GURPS Dirty Tricks. I don't see anything about them that fall under the rules of "Dirty Tricks" (Potentially requiring IQ checks).

But I think it is also because what really confuse me is, what benefit should you get from making a Dirty Trick. The Liquid in face has clear rules for it.

The "Hey look behind you" I would say is a classic Dirty Trick which IMO would be an opposed IQ check. but what should it do? should it mean the other target spends his entire turn turning around to look behind him?
Or what about "your shoes untied" what benefit would it give me? Same with the "fishing with Gandhi". Would I scarifies my entire turn to do these and what would the actual rules-benefit be? I tend to agree with Wellspring that these are simply Ruses. Not Dirty Tricks.

"launch something to him, with a loose trajectory - no straight - trying to take advantage of his instict to grab it" This one I think is a pretty clever one. It has a pretty logical setup "Hey, think fast!" and the result is pretty obvious (grab thrown object) but should it also make him drop a weapon in order to catch the thing?


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So I guess my question is more "What is a dirty trick" and what benefit does it give?

Most of these examples would qualify as Ruses-- IQ based Feints.