Re: tackling (was Re: anything i wsay..)

[Steve Ames <steve>]

THIS IS A FORWARD FROM RICK...

From leviathan_60@hotmail.com  Wed May 12 20:59:05 1999
From: "Rick Myers" <leviathan_60@hotmail.com>
To: steve@cioe.com
Subject: Re: tackling (was Re: anything i wsay..)
Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 18:58:31 PDT

A couple of points...

> > On that note, I had a rather vicious game the other day, and concluded
> > that tackle skill should provide a free action, not round, to the
> > aggressor.  This would be an unskilled action such as a punch or a 
>grapple
> > or a move out of melee.  Since tackle has only 2 xtra dice to agility,
> > most good warriors can make the check to run into combat and tackle an
> > opponent, and still get a round as if they were in melee for the entire
> > round.  Either that or it should be non defaultable, with a high base
> > cost.
>
Don't forget that the tackler starts his free round laying on the ground.  
There are very few skilled actions other than wrestling I would allow from 
this position.

>Tackling, as written, is not intended for combat use. It designed to
>start a fight with an edge. You tackle the person, use your free
>round to deal a dirty blow (or pick a pocket or stand up) and _THEN_
>initiative starts.
>
>This is not an in-combat skill. The silly restriction of a full
>movement running start was a weak attempt to take it out of combat.
>
>Look at it logically. In combat, people are "combat ready". A simple
>tackle is no longer enough to knock someone to the ground. You must
>grapple to throw them to the ground. And then they are certainly not
>going to be so suprised that you get a free round or even a free
>action.

Here I must strongly disagree.  Tackling skill is just that...skill in using 
speed, momentum and force to drive your opponent to the ground.  If you are 
skilled in it, the fact that they see it coming, or are comabt ready has no 
affect whatsoever.  Looking at it logically, a fullback with the ball tucked 
under his arm as he goes through a hole is "combat ready", a skilled TANG 
will still paste him.  Surprise has nothing to do with the free round 
bestowed, it's the fact that the opponent suddenly finds himself flat on his 
back gazing at the stars, when the blow lands.

-Rick

>
>I counter propose that tackling be written to say that the victim
>cannot be involved in melee.
>
>						-Steve


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