Re: (TFT) Flying combat

[Eric Coles <eac42@columbia.edu>]

Hi Aidan,

Per Advanced Melee:

"Most flying creatures may attack foes on the ground. This attack 
will also be. at -4 DX (the flier is either hovering or taking a 
swipe as it flies past; neither is especially accurate) unless the 
attacking flier is a small creature (Dragonet or smaller) attacking a 
much larger target. Dragon-fire and thrown spells may also be used 
from the air without DX-."

"Some fliers will drop rocks or weapons on their foes. Spears and 
axes may be dropped at -4 to hit but do +2 damage if they connect."

What I get from the comment in Aerial combat re engagement is that 
combatants on the ground cannot engage a flyer except in enclosed 
spaces ("The addition of the third dimension does allow fliers to 
cross over fires, walls, shadows, and foes where there is enough 
room. ").  However I would allow a flyer to engage a foe on the 
ground.  And they would both be at -4DX.    Reading the rule above re 
dropped spears and axes, it seems that it would be a whole lot more 
accurate (as well as damaging) to "drop" the weapon than to "throw" 
it.  Coments welcome.

I do think that your javelin-using flyers should seriously consider 
the Thrown Weapons talent.  I also usually create flying things as 
pretty high DX - with a penalty for fighting on the ground.  And you 
are giving me some nasty ideas, I think it's time to introduce the 
flying monkeys using net and trident....

Best,

Eric

At 01:43 PM 11/3/2006, you wrote:
> We were experimenting with flying creatures attacking ground 
> creatures with javelins. The rules indicate that the person on the 
> ground has a -4 when attacking a flying creature. It also says that 
> when flying creatures attacks another flier, they too have a -4 DX penalty.
>
> What I can't find is the following:
>
> 1. When a flying creature attacks a figure on the ground when 
> unengaged (ie missile, thrown or pole weapon) does the flying 
> creature get a -4 DX adjustment as well?
>
> 2. If the flying creature and the creature on the ground are 
> engaged, does either get a -4DX?
>
> We figured that the flying creature would also have a -4DX 
> adjustment when unengaged but weren't sure about if they were 
> engaged. Additionally, if the flying creature is throwing a javeling 
> the negative adjustments make it very difficult to hit the enemy 
> with any consistency. One argument for not requiring the flier to 
> have a -4 against a ground enemy is that 1) it's not in the rules 
> and 2)they would be more proficient at this type of combat. Against 
> this position was the fact that when a flier fights a flier, they 
> too get the -4DX penalty. Why should there be a difference? Also, 
> when fliers fight fliers, the combat effectiveness/ineffectiveness 
> is somewhat relative.
>
> Thanks.
> Aidan
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Eric A. Coles
Finance and Administration Manager
Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
phone: 212 854-2990
email: eac42@columbia.edu
fax: 212 864-0104 
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