Re: defense

[Steve Ames <steve@ns1.cioe.com>]

>
> What ever happened to the defense skill?
>

It didn't really make a lot of sense to have it without the
split dice option... in other words we got sidetracked.

With split dice it works like this:

When you roll your dice you specify that X dice will be used
for "defense" during the following round. You can use whatever
other dice you rolled for combat this round (split target, multi,
lethal, etc...).

If you get a flip-flop on initiative then you oopsed and your
defensive dice were wasted. Bad you.

If its a fresh combat and the opponent gets to move first you
don't get a defensive option.

That said:

The defensive subskill allows you to use your weapon in a defensive
manner. For every die you successfully roll against your weapon skill
you may add 2 to your DVs during your opponents round. In the event
that you have two rounds sequentially any defense used in the first
round is lost and should be re-rolled in the 2nd.

I suppose a case could be made that the defense works even on a flip 
flop for things such as your own party shooting you in the back, a 
T'orite with a rebound, etc... I'd agree with that.

It should either be a weapon subskill (as outlined above) or a REALLY
high base cost skill... otherwise it becomes another skill that people
will roll dice for every round. Blech. I'd vote weapon subskill...
everything in one tidy die roll and another thing that will cut into
multi-attacks dominence of the game.

I think the defensive skill is alive and well and biding its time :)

						-Steve
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