05-04-2022, 01:25 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Aug 2018
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flourishing your Force Sword
Kinda wondering what different ways exist to approach this sort of trick:
https://youtu.be/_dTAJiPMqbo MA51's "Quick-Swap" perk allows swapping hands as a free action but this seems delayed enough that it wouldn't be a free action (I assume it normally costs a Ready or two?) It definitely seems like a Shtick (also on MA51) but I'm not sure what variety of rules exist for Shticks. The example given of Chiburi obviously requires physical components (blood on your sword, you can't do an intimidating flick if there's no blood to flick off!) but how would you deal with something like this which doesn't require a component? I'm wondering if in this case "can only be performed with a de-activated Force Sword" might be an adequate substitute for "can only be performed with a bloodied blade" ? Or maybe you could in theory do this shoulder-rolling move using a lit force sword but that should come with a high risk of injury if you fail the required Combat Skill roll needed to acquire the "Intimidate as a Free Action" benefit from success. Like would it seem fair if you failed this combat roll (lose control of force sword) representing dropping it, that maybe you roll to see if it's headed your way (maybe 9 or less like one of those random attacks) and if it does, you'd have to roll a dodge or parry or suffer damage from your own Force Sword? I get the impression that Shticks are normally free actions (even though Chiburi is clearly a physical movement... makes me think it should at least count as a parry or a component of a Rapid Strike) since it talks about getting a +4 bonus only if "entire next turn" is used. In this case even though it's a demonstration of DX not ST, it seems like in the case of an energy weapon (which does not do damage based on ST, the threat comes from how accurately the plasma is placed) maybe a display of fabulous DX should give that +4 ? Strength after all can be a broader concept than just Lifting ST or Striking ST, but the ability to inflict damage altogether, and someone who understands what a force sword does (maybe require an IQ roll to comprehend, might not intimidate a wild animal who doesn't understand what you're doing) should find that just as scary. The only thing is if it takes an "entire next turn" then you probably couldn't multi-task to also spend that turn as a ready on a normal weapon-swap, so it seems like to Shtick+Swap simultaneously and get the +4 you would need the Quick-Swap turn except you have the option of using that 'free action' swap as part of your Shtick? |
05-04-2022, 01:35 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
Honestly, this seems like just a party trick, at most covered by some sort of Hobby Skill or similar. The GM might allow it as a complementary roll for Intimidation or the like. Force Sword Art might also include it - I could see something like this as part of a kata, perhaps (I think I've read about some staff/spear kata that have a "roll over the arm" component, albeit not nearly as pronounced as this).
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05-04-2022, 01:51 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The Athens of America
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
Flourishing your Force Sword...
...is one way to pick up a great nickname like ...Nicky No Nose
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My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack.-Foch America is not perfect, but I will hold her hand until she gets well.-unk Tuskegee Airman |
05-04-2022, 01:58 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Apr 2022
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
This is something I'd personally just allow if it's for show, if you want some side effects from it then maybe a roll if you're not in active combat, but this looks like something that doesn't happen often.
If in active combat then, a roll for sure, although I don't know what for, maybe juggling, maybe some sort of body thing, like acrobatics, or just dexterity. With maybe a gradient of possible fail and not a do or don't choice. (I tend to just allow with cool stuff...which makes me wonder how suitable my comments are in general...going into the books seems like a pastime here, which makes sense, but on the other hand, maybe I can be a bit of a voice of 'GURPS' isn't required to go simulationist <<) |
05-04-2022, 01:59 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: earth....I think.
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
I would say you need the quick swap perk and related combat skill at 16+ to do a "Fancy" swap. No roll required.
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05-04-2022, 03:14 PM | #6 | |
Join Date: Aug 2018
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
Quote:
If it's a dead-man's switch (requires sustained pressure to stay on, not merely flicking it on and it stays on until yuo flick it off, like a light switch) I imagine that temporarily pushing the button via it bumping your shoulder wouldn't keep it on long enough to extend the blade particularly long, doesn't even a C-reach Force Knife take an entire second to extend? |
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05-05-2022, 06:54 AM | #7 | |
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
Quote:
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05-05-2022, 07:13 AM | #8 | |
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The Athens of America
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
Quote:
Out of combat...not necessarily going to be that bad, but no guarantee. Depends on what the stakes the PCs were playing for.
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My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack.-Foch America is not perfect, but I will hold her hand until she gets well.-unk Tuskegee Airman |
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05-05-2022, 11:24 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
Power-Ups 2 defines a lot of Schticks. The move you suggest is just a showy Ready maneuver. Buy the perk and make a skill roll or drop it.
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05-05-2022, 11:52 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The Athens of America
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Re: flourishing your Force Sword
And Live out your life with a healthy proboscis.
__________________
My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack.-Foch America is not perfect, but I will hold her hand until she gets well.-unk Tuskegee Airman |
Tags |
chiburi, force sword, intimidation, quick-swap, shtick |
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