Disentangle

[Engurrand]

Originally Posted by DouglasCole

Classic example of taking a Ready maneuver?

Yes, for sure. This is definitely a ready maneuver. It requires at least one second, and no other maneuver fits the bill. The question is really whether it also requires a roll, and if so, a roll on what?

Refplace's suggestion of Entangle-2 would mean that you ordinarily entangle a limb at Whip-4 (for Entangle), and Unentangle at Whip-6.

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by Engurrand

Yes, for sure. This is definitely a ready maneuver. It requires at least one second, and no other maneuver fits the bill. The question is really whether it also requires a roll, and if so, a roll on what?

Refplace's suggestion of Entangle-2 would mean that you ordinarily entangle a limb at Whip-4 (for Entangle), and Unentangle at Whip-6.

I know that seems severe, but in my admittedly limited experience I found unentangling harder than entangling and entangling harder than striking.
Back a few years ago I could flip a light switch on and off 70 or 80% of the time, not sure what that makes my skill but I know a lot of people much better.
So I think the Entangle defaulting to -4 is too harsh., Cracking is -4 and I think should be -2.

A 2 yard whip is longer than the 3 foot snakewhip I used to own so a Ready maneuver would work fine.
I would say use the same rules for Readying it for use apply to unentangling, so over 6 foot takes two or more Readies.

[Engurrand]

Originally Posted by Refplace

I know that seems severe, but in my admittedly limited experience I found unentangling harder than entangling and entangling harder than striking. SNIP

I don't have anything against that ruling. It's pretty much what I would have rolled-and-shouted.

Your explanation emphasizes another deficiency in the whip rules though. The knot only stays in place because the whip is taut. This is consistent with the rule that you can only hold someone immobile for as long as the lariat/whip is taut, but the rules say keeping it taut requires a Ready maneuver each turn. It seems like Ready maneuvers would be a newb way of keeping on the pressure. The target could just take a move action to close with the whip user, and unless the whip user can reel in their whip at a rate of meters-per-second equal to the target's move, the pressure is off. Instead, the whip user aught to take move actions, dragging the victim behind them. That way the victim has to try to keep up, and will probably fall or be pulled over. In any case, the pressure stays on. I've seen this featured in westerns, though I don't recall which ones. The rules don't allow it, but could easily. Another candidate for house-ruling.

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by Engurrand

It seems like Ready maneuvers would be a newb way of keeping on the pressure. The target could just take a move action to close with the whip user, and unless the whip user can reel in their whip at a rate of meters-per-second equal to the target's move, the pressure is off. Instead, the whip user aught to take move actions, dragging the victim behind them. That way the victim has to try to keep up, and will probably fall or be pulled over. In any case, the pressure stays on. I've seen this featured in westerns, though I don't recall which ones. The rules don't allow it, but could easily. Another candidate for house-ruling.

Its realistic though, and was discussed in the buildup to Technical Grappling.
You can Move towards the subject and keep grabbing new lengths of leather.
Also a Wait and grab or Retreat to maintain the tautness. And if they are faster or surprise you it helps them get free.
Whips are IMO over powered in GU<RPS, but hey there cool.