Hi all,
A number of weapons were intended to hook shields, pull enemy off of horses, pull enemy off balance or pull shields out of position.
Examples of such weapons are: The Egyptian Khopesh, Halberd, Pike Ax, Shuang gou (hook sword), Kusari, jabajabba, battle axes, Jutte (or Jitte), Hakapik, Guisarme, and no doubt many of have missed.
I will refer to this class of weapons as ‘hooking weapons’ or ‘hooked weapons'.
Hooking weapons that are pole weapons will simply allow them to have a greater reach, but will other wise behave the same way as other hooking weapons.
I’m thinking of treating these weapons thus:
WEAPONS TABLE:
Each weapon that is hooked, will have a note added to the weapons
table saying that it is a hooked weapon. These weapons will do one
or two points less damage than typical for their ST.
WHO MAY BE PULLED OFF BALANCE:
— If the enemy defends, they are not leaving you an opportunity to
try to pull them off balance. You may not try this tactic at all on them.
— If the enemy attacks you, and rolls a to hit number that is evenly
divisible by 4, they they have offered you an opening. You may try
to pull them off balance later that turn.
OPTIONAL RULE: You may hook them next turn as well.
— If your opponent does not attack you, or you attack them first, you
may try to pull them off balance, but it is harder. You are at a one die
penalty.
HOW TO PULL SOMEONE OFF BALANCE:
If the enemy has left you an opening (by attacking you and rolling a
natural 4), then you must make a 3vsDX to hook them. Otherwise
you must roll 4vsDX to hook them.
EXCEPTION: Hooking shields is easier, you roll one less die if you
are just trying to hook a shield.
EFFECTS OF PULLING ENEMIES:
You must have a hooked weapon. You may try to hook the enemy.
You must choose ONE following 3 effects:
1 — If they are mounted, they must make a 5vsDX roll or be dismounted.
This is a 4vsDX if they have Horsemanship, or 3vsDX if they are a
Master Horseman.
2 — If they have a shield, the shield protection is halved (round down)
for the rest of the turn. (Example: A small shield would not protect if it
is pulled out of position.). This will only help you if you can make two
attacks per turn, or if you have a friend who is attacking them in the
same turn.
3 — They must make a saving throw or fall. This roll is a 4vsDX if you
are stronger than them, or a 3vsDX if they are the same ST, or a 2vsST
if they are stronger than you. If they have Acrobatics talent, then they
roll one less die than the saving throw listed in the previous sentence.
If they make the roll, your attempt to pull them down is wasted. If they
miss by 1 or 2 points, then they are pulled to their knees. Any greater
failure will pull them prone.
***
The most complicated thing is remembering to check if the enemies’ to
hit roll is divisible by 4. These odds of an opening, means that you will
get this chance about 25% of the time (which feels about right to me).
However, if you are awesome, you can try to hook them whenever you
want.
This tactic is most effective against lower skilled, and low ST figures which
also feels right.
I would be interested in people’s thoughts on these rules.
Warm regards, Rick.