Vamping Up Retreats

Brazen Hussey · 04-03-2020, 04:32 AM

I hope it's ok to talk about Hexagram #4 content here, as the digital edition is already out.

In this issue, Steve J wrote up his idea for revamping the forced retreat rule. It's much more consistent than RAW, and easy to understand. I'm glad he came up with this, and I think he's an all around good looking guy. However, of course I'm gonna kvetch a little or else why would I be here?

I've got two concerns with the new take on retreats. The first is that having more contests of skill might slow combat more than I want. But the more important one, to me, is how it makes combat harder for those poor folks with spears. After all, their best bet is to force a retreat so they can charge or get charged at again. The new rule weights the battle more to the sword fighters. A lot of my friends use spears, and this makes me feel sorry for them.

I guess I should also add that I like how the forced retreat rule tends to tactically shake up the combat and make it more dynamic and interesting. So if it happens a little less often, fine, but I don't want it to happen a LOT less often. Okay, so three concerns! No need to quote Monty Python, please.

I think the problem is that the one being asked to retreat has no reason to not contest it. If they lose, well that's what would have happened if they didn't contest it anyway, so why not contest it? I think they need to have some skin in the game. My suggestion is that if they contest the retreat and lose, then they also take one hit (ignoring armor). That would give them a reason to consider not contesting every time.

Okay, now you may tell me what a smrt fellow I am.

04-03-2020, 04:32 AM	#1
Brazen Hussey Join Date: Sep 2019	Vamping Up Retreats I hope it's ok to talk about Hexagram #4 content here, as the digital edition is already out. In this issue, Steve J wrote up his idea for revamping the forced retreat rule. It's much more consistent than RAW, and easy to understand. I'm glad he came up with this, and I think he's an all around good looking guy. However, of course I'm gonna kvetch a little or else why would I be here? I've got two concerns with the new take on retreats. The first is that having more contests of skill might slow combat more than I want. But the more important one, to me, is how it makes combat harder for those poor folks with spears. After all, their best bet is to force a retreat so they can charge or get charged at again. The new rule weights the battle more to the sword fighters. A lot of my friends use spears, and this makes me feel sorry for them. I guess I should also add that I like how the forced retreat rule tends to tactically shake up the combat and make it more dynamic and interesting. So if it happens a little less often, fine, but I don't want it to happen a LOT less often. Okay, so three concerns! No need to quote Monty Python, please. I think the problem is that the one being asked to retreat has no reason to not contest it. If they lose, well that's what would have happened if they didn't contest it anyway, so why not contest it? I think they need to have some skin in the game. My suggestion is that if they contest the retreat and lose, then they also take one hit (ignoring armor). That would give them a reason to consider not contesting every time. Okay, now you may tell me what a smrt fellow I am.