Examples of 4e Combat

[Ragitsu]

Examples of combat sound great. Now, if you can get narrative to accompany the mechanics, it will be even better.

[Phoenix_Dragon]

Originally Posted by Dinadon

1. Zach's last turn was to recover from stun, the defense penalty for stun lasts until his next turn. Thus he should be at a further penalty.

Ehh, I'm not so sure at that. I guess the sentance in the rules can be read kind of ambiguously, but it seems to say that you recover from the stun when you make your HT roll (And the end of your turn). Since the -4 is a property of being stunned, that would mean you wouldn't have that penalty after having recovered from stun, even if you haven't gotten to your next turn yet. The "subsequent turns" part seems to be referring to the "act normally" (It seems odd to "recover from stuns" on "subsequent turns").

Though looking at that made me notice something I hadn't really payed attention to... Because a stun forces you to take a Do Nothing maneuver, you wouldn't have to roll to remain concious when you're stunned (Such as his action in turn 5). Not that it mattered much for that fight, because even on a Do Nothing maneuver, you have to roll to stay concious if you attempt a defense that turn, though it would delay the unconciousness roll until his first attempted defense, in turn 6.

[mook]

Originally Posted by Ragitsu

Examples of combat sound great. Now, if you can get narrative to accompany the mechanics, it will be even better.

I've thought of that, but hit a couple of snags. Most obvious is, it would take even more time for each example. The bigger problem, I think, is that while the examples themselves are purely objective, nothing but math and codified RAW, any sort of narrative would be entirely subjective.

Some folks like "Bob, you swing your sword at Charlie but miss." Others like "Bob, you swing your sword at Charlie but miss by the smallest of margins as he dodges backwards." Still others prefer the whole shebang, "Bob, you swing your sword at Charlie and are almost certain of scoring a bloody hit, but at the last possible second he leaps away just out of reach."

Seemed better to just stick to the concrete numbers and let readers fill in their own narrative. Not to mention the inevitable critiques of the writing itself. I don't know - not saying never, just needs more thought.

As for the question of when the Stun ends ... to be honest I'm not sure yet. I haven't even looked back at the example, only made a note to myself to "Check on Ranged Combat 4 -Turn 6".

(In a way it's good news keeping me from working on the examples - I'm engrossed in prepping a GURPS Old West game, after not having a chance to run for waaay too long. Actual play trumps hypothetical, but I am being a busy little bee).

[Ragitsu]

mook, have you ever thought about doing vehicle combat examples?

[AmesJainchill]

I've got a Spaceships combat example here.

I think it's all correct. Beware, though, it's using my Star Wars houserules.

[Riggler]

Just want to say as a very green newb who is still learning the system. Never played a GURPS game and is gearing up to run, this site with the examples was much help. Thanks a lot.

[Crakkerjakk]

Originally Posted by Riggler

Just want to say as a very green newb who is still learning the system. Never played a GURPS game and is gearing up to run, this site with the examples was much help. Thanks a lot.

Remember that these examples are with all the rules options turned on. Combat doesn't have to be as complicated as these if you don't want it to be.

[gilbone]

This is a long thread, someone has probably already mentioned this...

Ranged Combat 4, Turn 4

"Also, as he now has less than 1/3 his HP, his Move and Dodge are halved.


Zach Red HP: 3, Shock: -4
Maneuver: Move
Though he may be safer hiding behind his car, Zach doesn't know how many shooters are out there trying to kill him, so he decides to make a mad dash back to the house - he moves 5 yards towards the front door, and is then 5 yards away. "

Am I wrong or should he only move 2 yards, being at 1/2 Move?

These are great examples. I used to play 2e and 3e at least once a week, more often than not, twice. Since then I've gotten married and have a kid and have only been able to play 4e a handful of times. These examples are helping me get into the swing of things again, and I hope to have time in the very near future to play.

Great work. Great site.

[Captain Joy]

Originally Posted by mook

Suggestions as well as corrections welcome

Ranged Combat, Example One, Turn Seven:

As this is a Major Wound (more than 1/2 HP injury from a single blow), Zach must check for Knockdown and Stunning. He rolls 3d6 against his effective HT of 6 (-5 for Hit Location: Vitals) and gets 10 - he falls down prone and suffers Stun.

I don't have my books with me, but I don't think a location penalty should be applied to the HT roll against Knockdown and Stunning.

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

Ranged Combat, Example One, Turn Seven:
I don't have my books with me, but I don't think a location penalty should be applied to the HT roll against Knockdown and Stunning.

4e Campaigns p 420: "Knockdown and Stunning [snip] Modifiers: -5 for a major wound to the face or vitals) [snip]"