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Re: (TFT) Shield rush in Melee



It still sounds like a lot of extra die rolling. Other than that it is interesting.

Also, I think there are two types of shield rush tactics in melee type combat.

One is where the shield is used offensively to interfere with the opposing weapon (above and beyond just blocking it) in order to make an attack more effective or likely with the attacking weapon. If I recall correctly, the shield is basically swept across the space between the combatants while the opposing weapon is attacking. The shield sweep is followed up with an attack. If done properly, and this involves a lot of timing as well as strength and coordination, the opponent is usually knocked off balance or out of rhythm thus making the follow up attack more effective.

The other is to knock the opponent down or back. It does not involve the attacking weapon, just a 'bull rush' maneuver where strength, speed and weight are more important.

Marty

I never liked the shield rush rules. They were too fussy and produced odd
results. I also think that shield-rushing your foe is more a function of
leverage and physical strength (both aspects of ST) than about speed and
agility (both aspects of DX). Howabout this idea?

1. Roll to hit.

2. If you hit, you and your foe make opposed ST rolls. If you win, he falls
down. He stays up if there's a tie or you lose. The GM may give modest ST
benefits where appropriate, for things like having a lower center of gravity
than your foe. I'd give a dwarf +1 if he shield-rushes an elf, for instance.

I handle opposed rolls like GURPS -- the one that makes his roll by the most
wins the contest. If one one fails his roll, the other wins. If both fail,
the one that failed by the least wins.

Now, martial arts shield rushes can be either DX based (a foot sweep for
instance) or ST based (a judo-style takedown, flip or throw). From personal
experience, it can be a long day if you have to grapple and takedown someone
much bigger (or squattier) than you.

In these cases, I'd let someone with the appropriate UC talent substitute
*his* DX for his ST in the above sequence if his foe has less than 1/2 the
martial artist's ST. (A hobbit sweeping a Giant is being overly optimistic
if not delusional.) The target uses the lesser of his ST ot DX.

There is also the unfortunate fact that a failed shield rush (or takedown)
tends to leave the attacker in a more vulnerable position. I think a +2 DX
bonus on the opponent's next attack is reasonable in cases where the attack
fails.

--Ty
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