Re: (TFT) Do certain actions delay your turn? (regarding adjDX)

[Richard Walters <rick.walters@yahoo.com>]

Sorry Sarge and Gavin,

Pole weapons are the only weapons that can hit two hexes away and it's their length used for charging or setting that gives them the advantage of hitting first. 

I admit that the argument is weaker with the shorter pole weapons that can't poke two hexes away, but that's what the rules say to do and I adhere to the "advanced" books as much as I can.  

Honestly, I don't think the "go first" on charge and set rule is an overwhelming advantage.  Yes, it does keep people from running up on pole weapons users.  But, if you defend on the charge, or move one and defend on the set, once you're inside their double damage shot, you can eat them alive.  

In my opinion it adds a dimension of strategy to the game.  And weapons with unique strengths like this make the game much more interesting to play.  Taking away the special characteristics of certain weapons flattens out the game into a toe-to-toe slugfest where armor and great-swords push their way across the field and players of high dex can't be stopped.  We might as well play football.  And what's more, it dumbs down the mages too because they have less need for the spells that are so effective against the pole weapons users.  Spells like slippery/sticky floor, drop weapon, slow movement, and trip are particularly hard on pole weapons users because they depend so much on being able to move or set.  

Now, I will admit that eyes-behind, speedmove, force-retreat and avert can be deadly in combination with pole weapons users.  But it's almost always the guy who refuses to defend who finds himself being retreated.  And avert is one of the best spells in the game.  It just works particularly well with the charge/set.  

What I can sympathize with is the measure of difficulty or complexity that pole weapons adds to creating a balanced force to oppose the party.  But, they're almost essential in presenting a challenge to the the super-heros with the 18+ DX.  

Good Fortune,
Richard



From: <Gavin@TheFantasyQuest.com>
To: <tft@brainiac.com>
Subject: Re: (TFT) Do certain actions delay your turn?  (regarding    adjDX)
Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 18:08:43 -0500

Good catch, Sarge!  Yes, I trashed the "pole-weapons go first" rule about 20 
years ago.  It makes no sense to me after re-enacting English Civil War as a 
pikeman.  We used 12' poles, and there's nothing fast about them as far as I 
have been able to determine.

Gavin Gossett
The Fantasy Quest
TFQ Games

Gavin@TheFantasyQuest.com
www.TheFantasyQuest.com
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