[MA] Deflections, and Weapon v Weapon Aggressive Parry

[Gigermann]

Originally Posted by Hellboy

The idea of using aggressive parry (or jolt) and trading your free attack on the limb for a free beat sounds interesting.

These attacks normally do less damage so a similar penalty should apply to the beat if allowed.

The problem with riposte... Isn't that purely skill and DX based? Allowing a parry-beat options up new high speed defensive options to high ST low DX chars.

I always thought that Beat, as written, was a bit weird, in that you can (for example) Parry, then the opponent can attack you with that weapon/etc, and then you perform a Beat against it. I realize this can be "corrected" in narrative after-the-fact, I just don't really like it. YMMV.

Whether or not it applies to the situation above—Riposte does feel about right in that case—I can't think of any good reason why one should not be able to do an Aggressive Parry weapon v weapon in the first place. Secondly, a strong impact results in an "equal and opposite reaction," which we refer to as Knockback when it applies to the body. It would logically also apply to a struck weapon, knocking it back, resulting in what we would refer to as a Beat (which, incidentally, would mechanically be the same thing as a "Knocking the Weapon Away" Disarm attempt).

Were we talking about GURPS 5e here, I'd be suggesting getting rid of Beat entirely as a Feint option, allowing Aggressive Parry against weapons, and treating any damage-dealing attack on a weapon/shield as a (old) Beat.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Gigermann

I always thought that Beat, as written, was a bit weird, in that you can (for example) Parry, then the opponent can attack you with that weapon/etc, and then you perform a Beat against it. I realize this can be "corrected" in narrative after-the-fact, I just don't really like it. YMMV.

The strictly turn-based nature of GURPS leads to all manner of oddities. One of my favorite examples is Judo Throw. The fluff for that is meant to be the foe throws a punch, you Judo Parry it, then use that arm and the foe's momentum to throw him to the ground. In practice, it's possible for the foe to throw a punch at you, have you Judo Parry it, have him punch at someone else with the same hand (Rapid Strike), use that hand to Parry a couple attacks from your friends, and then somehow have you use that punch to throw him to the ground.

Honestly, Beats, Feints, and Ruses probably make more sense with you either throwing them as part of a Wait or a Rapid Strike (a reduced penalty on the latter would make a good deal of sense) or similar - you need to throw off the opponent's defense, then immediately capitalize on this.

If I ever get around to completing my most recent Overhaul article, an overhaul of these mechanics might be next...

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by Gigermann

I always thought that Beat, as written, was a bit weird, in that you can (for example) Parry, then the opponent can attack you with that weapon/etc, and then you perform a Beat against it. I realize this can be "corrected" in narrative after-the-fact, I just don't really like it. YMMV.

I House Ruled it being a Technique, default: Parry -1, Skill -1; Hard; cannot exceed prerequisite Parry or Skill. The parry option is if used as a Parry. If made as an attack option, I treat Beats as they are (mostly):

It may be used as an attack option against a weapon or shield: however the victim must successfully Parry or Block. Grapple uses are unchanged.

I also House Ruled it to apply to either the attack or defense, initiator's choice (I do the same with Feint).

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by Gigermann

I always thought that Beat, as written, was a bit weird, in that you can (for example) Parry, then the opponent can attack you with that weapon/etc, and then you perform a Beat against it. I realize this can be "corrected" in narrative after-the-fact, I just don't really like it. YMMV.

Grand Unified Beat Theory

Grand Unified Beat Theory 2

[Gigermann]

Originally Posted by DouglasCole

Grand Unified Beat Theory

Grand Unified Beat Theory 2

Been long enough I had forgotten about those :P

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by DouglasCole

Grand Unified Beat Theory

Grand Unified Beat Theory 2

your first link is wrong. This is the correct link:
https://gamingballistic.com/2013/07/...ter-of-inches/

The link to the first post that is in your second blog post is also wrong (in the exact same fashion), I suspect it's always been wrong but no one has noticed it until now.

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by evileeyore

your first link is wrong. This is the correct link:
https://gamingballistic.com/2013/07/...ter-of-inches/

The link to the first post that is in your second blog post is also wrong (in the exact same fashion), I suspect it's always been wrong but no one has noticed it until now.

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