Re: (TFT) Shield rush in Melee

[Martin Gallo <martimer@mindspring.com>]

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
> =====
> Post to the entire list by writing to tft@brainiac.com.
> Unsubscribe by mailing to majordomo@brainiac.com with the message body
> "unsubscribe tft"


--


"If you haven't got your health, at least you have something to talk about."

"They say that everything happens for a reason. I am just tired of 
that reason being to make me unhappy or embarrassed."

"You can't make a baby in a month using nine women! But it sounds 
like it would be fun to try."
=====
Post to the entire list by writing to tft@brainiac.com.
Unsubscribe by mailing to majordomo@brainiac.com with the message body
"unsubscribe tft"