Pole Weapons Expertise Question

[Axly Suregrip]

Originally Posted by Bill_in_IN

I'm having some trouble resolving "Standing vs charge + shrewd blow hits on adjDX 9 to score 3d-1". The adjDX9 doesn't show up in the conditions below. There is also a +1 damage for Weapons Expertise.

ITL pg 111, "A figure who stands still (or simply changes facing) and uses a pole weapon against a charge attacker gets a +2 DX."

The javelin figure charging + shrewd had adjDX of 7. Thus the javelin figure standing vs charge + shrewd would get adjDX of 9.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by Axly Suregrip

A couple of corrections:

A javelin is a 1d-1 weapon, so a "very fine" javelin would be 1d+1, not 1d+2.

It would be 1d+2 with the Expert talent bonus, if allowing javelins to be made at Very Fine quality.

[Axly Suregrip]

Originally Posted by Shostak

It would be 1d+2 with the Expert talent bonus, if allowing javelins to be made at Very Fine quality.

nice catch. Thanks for correcting me.

[hcobb]

Originally Posted by Axly Suregrip

BTW, a 2-handed sword may be very fine.

Not for a price the suggested starting budget will allow.

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by Axly Suregrip

ITL pg 111, "A figure who stands still (or simply changes facing) and uses a pole weapon against a charge attacker gets a +2 DX."

The javelin figure charging + shrewd had adjDX of 7. Thus the javelin figure standing vs charge + shrewd would get adjDX of 9.

Thanks
I forgot about that pole weapon scenario.

[Steve Plambeck]

When standing vs a charge, I'm having a little trouble accepting that the stationary defender with a pole weapon should be able to aim a shrewd thrust. It seems cinematically incorrect, especially if you picture the defender has braced their pole arm with the butt grounded. Shouldn't it be viewed more like, the attacker by charging in is aiming their body at the defender's spear-point, not the defender aiming their spear-point at a particular spot on the attacker?

[Axly Suregrip]

Originally Posted by Steve Plambeck

When standing vs a charge, I'm having a little trouble accepting that the stationary defender with a pole weapon should be able to aim a shrewd thrust. It seems cinematically incorrect, especially if you picture the defender has braced their pole arm with the butt grounded. Shouldn't it be viewed more like, the attacker by charging in is aiming their body at the defender's spear-point, not the defender aiming their spear-point at a particular spot on the attacker?

The spearman grounds the spear butt, but aims the tip. Thus they still get a DX roll.

[Steve Plambeck]

Originally Posted by Axly Suregrip

The spearman grounds the spear butt, but aims the tip. Thus they still get a DX roll.

Oh I agree they get the roll, and the +2DX is wholey justified, but adjusting their tilt and aim to hit one precise spot, in a split second, on the kamikaze-like attacker rushing straight at them is where I think it's a bit of a reach.

[Axly Suregrip]

Originally Posted by Steve Plambeck

Oh I agree they get the roll, and the +2DX is wholey justified, but adjusting their tilt and aim to hit one precise spot, in a split second, on the kamikaze-like attacker rushing straight at them is where I think it's a bit of a reach.

When fighting someone, they are doing whatever they can not to get killed. Whether they are running at you or standing toe-to-toe that does not change. Hitting that one precise spot gets a -5 DX. So, precision is not easy.

[hcobb]

How often have you seen a starting javelin expert toughen up over time to pole-axe the opforce vs just flipping xp into dx?