Wait maneuver - differences from 3rd Edition

[Mr_Sandman]

Originally Posted by marcusgurpsmaster

I think that Kromm here is talking about being broad. It seems to be the difference between saying "I will attack the first one that steps on that area" rather than "I will pierce the point of my sword in the belly of the first green-eyed Orc that attacks me". You can be broad, but you cannot name more than one event nor reaction, nor change the condition or the reaction later.

What Skarg suggested is different: he is trying to be exhaustive, that is, naming more than one event.

I agree. The trigger can be broad, but there has to be just one trigger and one response. It has to be able to be stated as "if... then... ", not "if... then... otherwise..." Part of the balancing of Wait is that you lose your opportunity to act on that turn if the trigger doesn't happen.

The reaction has to specify a particular Maneuver (Attack, All-out-attack, Feint, Ready), but apparently the target of that Maneuver can be conditional - "The one my friend attacked, or the nearest foe to me."

It's not clear how specifically the Maneuver has to be described. RAW say "You must specify exactly what your action will be" Does that mean you have to declare a hit location when you describe your action, if you want to target one? Specify a deceptive attack and at what penalty? I don't think you do. As long as the maneuver and some description of the target is supplied. As such, I would say you don't lose your opportunity to attack if your sword is broken. You can still make an Attack with your shield, your fist, maybe even fast-drawing another weapon, etc.

As to the main topic of this thread, I think just allowing a Step and Wait and not allowing movement after the trigger if a step was taken before is the simplest approach. Since the idea is that discrete actions of turn by turn combat is really representing more fluid, concurrent actions, when you step and wait, you are really taking a step as you wait, and can't really move in reaction to the trigger. If you wait then convert to a Maneuver that allows a step or half your move, you are waiting then springing into movement in response to the trigger. It makes enough sense to me for game purposes.