09-16-2008, 08:46 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
Alright, I'm confident someone is going to point out where these rules are, but I've looked through Campaigns, Martial Arts and tried searching the forums.
I'm looking for rules on dodging while grappling a foe and while being grappled? Is it allowed? The rules say the guy who is grappled cannot move out of their hex without breaking free, but doesn't say anything about whether they can dodge, or whether the DX-4 penalty also lowers their speed which lowers their dodge? Also it's not clear if the guy doing the grappling can dodge without losing their grip. Again, I'm sure the rules address it somewhere, I'm just sick of looking. =) Thanks in advance. (Also, for bonus points, can anyone clarify whether the DX-4 is *cumulative* if there are more than one person grappling you? And how two people grappling you could work together to bring you down?) |
09-16-2008, 09:03 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
Found my answer via this Kromm post (MA p121-122):
http://forums.sjgames.com/showpost.p...48&postcount=3 It seems strange to me that a man grappling someone with both arms has no penalties to dodge... I may have to house rule that. Also, the wording there seem to indicate that the DX-4 is *not* cumulative. Last edited by laserdog; 09-16-2008 at 09:08 AM. |
09-16-2008, 10:47 AM | #3 |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
1. The -4 to DX is the cause of the defense penalties, not a separate effect; having -4 to DX also happens to give -2 to Block and Parry, and -1 to Dodge. Thus, stacking would make no sense.
2. Why should a standing grappler have a penalty to Dodge if he isn't himself grappled? He can still lean to either side, duck, and now has the new option of hiding behind the guy he grappled. What he can't do is step aside or perform backflips . . . and the rules cover that, since when you're grappling someone, you can't retreat or use Acrobatics. This last point was subject to rigorous playtesting and reality-checking. Consensus was that grappling someone doesn't affect what GURPS calls "Dodge," only what the game calls "retreat" (and its variants). But if the guy you're grappling grapples back, then you both have penalties. Where it gets confusing for some gamers is that GURPS doesn't assume automatic mutual grappling, while real-life fights tend to move right to that step. 3. Multiple fighters grappling you produce no additional effects. But their ST and DX stack up (p. B392), which makes it unlikely that you'll break free and very likely that you'll end up dogpiled and pinned. Once that happens, it's free shots for all. Until that happens, though, they're actually likely to be in each other's way, making it harder -- not easier -- to land a blow on you.
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
09-16-2008, 01:35 PM | #4 | |
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
Quote:
Unless you declare it, you're just standing there like Fezzik from The Princess Bride being grappled by the Man in Black. "I just wanted to you think you were doing well. I hate for people to die embarrassed."
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09-16-2008, 01:47 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
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In MA there is an optional rule that states that you also have reduced active defences. |
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09-16-2008, 02:16 PM | #6 | |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
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09-17-2008, 08:26 PM | #7 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Platform Zero, Sydney, Australia
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
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Hence why it's good to grab the other guy first. |
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09-17-2008, 08:41 PM | #8 |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
Well, yes. In close combat, when neither A nor B is grappled or when A and B are mutually grappled, nobody has a defensive penalty relative to the other. But when A is grappled by B, A does have a relative penalty -- as well he should, since B burned an action to grapple A and overcame A's defense, while A obviously did not return the favor -- and B is in control and better able to defend by definition. Were B also penalized on defense, I think the rules would be broken. Being "in control" is a significant advantage, and shouldn't hose you as much as it helps you.
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
09-17-2008, 08:54 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Platform Zero, Sydney, Australia
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
Quote:
For two DX 10 dudes with no skill, you've both just dropped to an effective skill of 6 for punching each other, so Telegraphic Attacks to bring your odds back up to 50% looks awful tempting... though again, that evens things back out for your enemy's Parry... But really, that's what mutual grappling is all about at low skill: Severely limiting your enemy's options and dropping the chances of either of you really getting hurt. Especially once you start rolling around on the floor, further penalising your skills. :) |
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09-18-2008, 02:05 AM | #10 | |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London Baby!
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Re: Allowed Defenses while Grappling?
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