On Wednesday, June 28, 2000 9:53 PM, Wulf Corbett
[SMTP:wulfc_at_...] wrote:
> 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. 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. Both spearman and cavalryman must act symultaneously,
> that's obvious, it's all in the movement of the horse/rhino. So, if
> that's to be represented as one exchange (and if not, how else?), the
> defensive weapon Rank and Edge must be used.
>
> Wulf
>
To be honest, I can't imagine how this could be seen as simultaneous...
The cavalryman can in no way affect the spearman until after it has been
determined whether his horse has been impaled on the spear or not -
unless he's a cavalry archer (or a lancer with a very long lance, which
is too unrealistic for me to allow) in which case he won't be charging
anyway. The spearman's combat skill is compared to the rider's riding
skill (unless he has something more appropriate), and the rank of the
spear (I would also add extra ranks for the spear being set) is compared
to the rank of the horse's barding to determine the edge. If the rider
has reached the spearman, then he can attack him (combat skill vs.
dodging) with an extra edge for his superior position (on his horse), if
he failed to beat the spear then he needs to use an unrelated action to
turn his horse round (if it shied at the spear), or to get off his horse
(if it was impaled).
In fact, looking at this, I think I would make the act of getting past
the spear a simple action, unless it was already part of a larger
extended action... (Complete defeat: your favourite charger just took
that spear right in the throat!)
Richard
richard.sands_at_...
richard_at_...