Setting Spears

From: Jonas Schiött <jonas.schiott_at_...>
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 10:18:49 +0200


Wulf:
>What about a set spear against the charge of cavalry, or the leap of a
>predator? The spear is definitely defensive, it does not move except
>to aim the point, the back end is fixed in place. The spearman does
>not attack, he just manoeuvres the spearhead, and dodges as best he
>can while keeping hold of the spear.

In RW terms, yes. But for HW we need to abstract things somewhat.

>The cavalryman and horse (or
>rhino) does the attacking, but if the spearman gets it right, the
>spear, and any augments, Rank, Edges, whatever, most definitely should
>have an effect.

Not on the cavalryman's attack, no.

>Both spearman and cavalryman must act symultaneously,
>that's obvious, it's all in the movement of the horse/rhino.

Obvious to a simulationist. ;-)

>So, if
>that's to be represented as one exchange (and if not, how else?), the
>defensive weapon Rank and Edge must be used.

I would say that it's two exchanges. What you call the spearman's defense is in HW terms simply his turn at attacking.

I guess the most galling thing from a simulationist POV is that who goes first is not determined by weapon length, but by who has the most AP. I can easily see justifications for this, though: the combatant with the longer weapon is unnerved by his opponent's air of confidence (or nimbus of magical power) and wavers for a moment, dropping his guard.

If it really, really, bothers you, bend the rules slightly and say that the results of these two exchanges are applied simultaneously.



Jonas Schiött
Göteborg

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