(TFT) Dexterity Problem in TFT

[<Gavin@TheFantasyQuest.com>]

Allow me to state clearly what the TFT DX problem really is.  To me, it's 
always been like an Elephant in the room.  For many of us TFT players it's 
simply too big to ignore, which is why so many of us have come up our own 
"Fixes".
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Scenario One . . .
John Carson SwordLord of Mars, wielding a longsword is fighting Ludd the 
Prootwaddle, who is armed with a very, very sharp corndog.

John Carson SwordLord of Mars:
ST = 18
DX = 15

Ludd the Prootwaddle:
ST = 8
DX = 8

Turn 1:
John Carson attacks Ludd, but rolls "16".  Shucks!  He missed!
Ludd the Prootwaddle attacks and rolls "8".  Fantastic! 
Ludd-the-corndog-wielding-Prootwaddle has just landed a hit on John Carson, 
the SwordLord of Mars!!  He rolls Maximum-Damage and lands 1 hit on John 
Carson's naked torso?

How did Ludd get through John Carson's defense?  John Carson's Superior DX 
is completely un-accounted-for in Ludd's chance-to-hit.  Could it be a basic 
flaw in the game mechanics?
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But let's look at a more likely situation:

Scenario  Two . . .
John Carson, SwordLord of Mars:
ST = 18
DX = 15

Previo Swiftblade:
ST = 9
DX = 15

Problem:
In spite of the Dexterous Equality of Previo, John Carson has the exact same 
chance of hitting Previo as he did when attacking Ludd.  John Carson's die 
rolls are not modified in any way, nor his chances of "hitting" modified, 
when fighting opponents of vastly varying talent.  Previo's DX is (once 
again) completely un-accounted-for in John Carson's ability to land a blow.
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Although I'm about 70 lbs. too fat to fence these days, I did fence in 
high-school and college.  I've also done many years of foam-weapon fighting 
in my day (as many of you have).  I've also played boardgames, pitched 
horse-shoes, played football, etc.. with opponents of far, far Inferior and 
often Superior Dexterity, and I can tell you one thing that I have observed: 
The DX of your opponent DOES affect your own performance (i.e.., your own 
ability to hit or score).

I sword-fight with my 8-year-old all the time, and I can guarantee you this: 
He will NEVER land a hit on me unless I want him to.  Period.

That's the problem.

Gav
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