My take on Ranged Combat

From: Michael Schwartz <mschwartz_at_...>
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 00 20:13:15 -0400


I generally integrate Ranged Combat into Extended Contests, when there is opposition and the outcome is dramatic. At the start of an Extended Contest, this tends to reinforce culturally appropriate tactical considerations, as a hero will generally begin a contest with his or her best combat ability in order to start with a greater number of Advantage Points.

A Humakti warrior, for example, would most likely prefer his 5w1 Close Combat ability to his 13 Ranged Combat, and thus would seek to charge into melee with his foe rather than hang back throwing knives. A Grazer warrior would most likely prefer his 5w1 Ranged Combat ability to his 17 Close Combat (especially if on foot), and would thus seek to remain at a distance and pick off his enemy before he or she could close.

I prefer to discard the existing Movement and Positioning rules as written in favor of the following homebrew rule: normal foot movement per unrelated action is handled as an ability test using Physical, Running or a similar ability; distance covered equals 24 yards with a critical success, 12 yards with a success, 6 yards with a failure, and 3 yards with a fumble.

If a combatant cover more range than the remaining distance, each increment of that distance in excess converts to a +2 Edge for the first Close Combat exchange which follows. Also, all Ranged Combat attacks made at 1/10 of the weapon's base range or closer are considered to be at point-blank range and get +5 to target number. I also allow heroes a Final Action outside of Group Contests. Were the above characters to fight, using these rules, the outcome might turn out like this:


     FIRST EXCHANGE: Range between combatants is 30 yards.
     Declaration: Subotai the Grazer initiates the Extended Contest by 
firing
          at Kallai with his bow; AP bid is 7.
     Resolution: Subotai's failed Ranged Combat bumps to success vs. 
Kallai's
          critical improvised Close Combat (arrow cutting, -15) results 
in a 
          transfer of 7 AP to Kallai; Subotai has 18 AP, Kallai has 32 AP.
     Description: Subotai's arrows flies true... only to be harmlessly 
cut in 
          half by Kallai's slashing sword! Subotai's confidence is shaken 
by 
          Kallai's display of martial prowess, and Kallai howls with glee.

     SECOND EXCHANGE: Range between combatants is 30 yards.
     Declaration: Kallai the Humakti charges Subotai, his greatsword 
whirling.
     Resolution: unrelated action; Kallai's successful Running test 
allows him
          to cover 12 yards; Subotai has 18 AP, Kallai has 32 AP.
     Description: Kallai races forward, closing the distance between 
himself
          and Subotai.

     THIRD EXCHANGE: Range between combatants is 18 yards.
     Declaration: Subotai fires at Kallai a second time; AP bid is 7.
     Resolution: Subotai's failed Ranged Combat bumps to success vs. 
Kallai's
          failed improvised Close Combat results in a 14 AP forfeit by 
Kallai;
          Subotai chooses to inflict a wound, so Kallai takes a -1 on all 
future
          rolls and drops to 25 AP while Subotai remains at 18 AP.
     Description: Subotai takes careful aim, calming himself before 
letting fly.
          He is rewarded when one of his arrows finds its mark deep in 
Kallai's
          shoulder. Kallai ceases to howl, a grim look crossing his face 
as the
          pain sinks in.

     FOURTH EXCHANGE: Range between combatants is 18 yards.
     Declaration: Kallai continues to charge Subotai.
     Resolution: unrelated action; Kallai's successful Running test 
allows him
          to cover another 12 yards; Subotai has 18 AP, Kallai has 25 AP.
     Description: Despite his wound, Kallai further closes the distance 
between
          himself and Subotai.

     FIFTH EXCHANGE: Range between combatants is 6 yards.
     Declaration: Subotai fires at Kallai a third time, at point-blank 
range; AP 
          bid is 7.
     Resolution: Subotai's Ranged Combat success bumps to critical vs. 
Kallai's
          successful improvised Close Combat results in a transfer of 7 
AP to
          Subotai; Subotai elects to wound Kallai a second time, giving 
him -2
          to all future rolls; Subotai has 18 AP, Kallai has 25 AP.
     Description: Another of Subotai's arrow strikes home, burying itself 
in 
          Kallai's side. Kallai grunts in pain, but is not deterred.

     SIXTH EXCHANGE: Range between combatants is 6 yards.
     Declaration: Kallai continues to charge Subotai.
     Resolution: unrelated action; Kallai's successful Running test 
allows him
          to cover the remaining distance between himself and Subotai, 
with 6
          yards of carry-over which Kallai can use as a +2 Edge in the 
first
          Close Combat exchange; Subotai has 18 AP, Kallai has 25 AP.
     Description: Despite his wounds, Kallai is upon Subotai at last!

     SEVENTH EXCHANGE: Range between combatants is nil.
     Declaration: Subotai fires off one last point-blank shot at Kallai; 
AP bid
          is 7.
     Resolution: Subotai's Ranged Combat success bumps to critical vs. 
Kallai's
          critical improvised Close Combat results, at narrator's 
discretion, in
          a 9 AP forfeit by Subotai as high roller, plus an added special 
effect
          in Kallai's favor; Subotai has 9 AP, Kallai has 25 AP.
     Description: Subotai brings an arrow to bear on Kallai's right eye, 
only to
          have both arrow and bow split in twain as Kallai bears down on 
him!
     EIGHTH EXCHANGE
     Declaration: Kallai hews mightily at Subotai with his greatsword, as 
the poor
          Grazer quickly switchs to spear and shield; AP bid is 9.
     Resolution: Kallai's failed Close Combat bumps to success vs. 
Subotai's Close
          Combat fumble results in a 27 AP forfeit by Subotai; Kallai 
decides to
          inflict a wound, so Subotai is -1 for all future rolls and 
drops to -11
          AP while Kallai remains at 25 AP.
     Decsription:  Bloody splashes follow in the arc of Kallai's blade as 
two quick
          strokes from his greatsword drop Subotai to the ground, 
clutching his arm 
          and belly! Subotai is badly hurt, and must struggle if he is to 
fight on.
     NINTH EXCHANGE
     Declaration: Subotai attempts to clear his mind of pain, in hopes of 
catching
          Kallai with a last spear-thrust before succumbing to his 
injuries.
     Resolution: final action; Subotai's Ignore Pain test fails and he 
cannot take 
          any action.
     Description: Grimacing fiercely, Subotai attempts to raise his spear 
to meet 
          Kallai only to waver and fail.

     TENTH EXCHANGE
     Declaration: Kallai opts for a coup-de-grace on Subotai, required by 
his Humakt
          geas to deliver a death-blow, given opportunity, to any fallen 
opponent; AP 
          bid is 1.
     Resolution: Kallai's failed Close Combat bumps to success vs. 
Subotai's Close
          Combat success results in a 1 AP forfeit by Subotai.
     Description: Subotai cries out as Kallai runs him through with his 
greatsword,
          and expires.


--------------------

In the midst or at the end of an Extended Contest, a hero might wish to prevent an otherwise inaccessible opponent from breaking off, or to administer a coup-de-grace from a distance. In either case, he or she could accomplish this by switching to Ranged Combat for one exchange. I permit heroes in a Group Contest to seek a suitable position from which to shoot arrows or evade an opponent using an unrelated action.

This is not withdrawal, just moving to a better-defensible position. It works not unlike the Maneuver skills from RoleMaster, and characters can improve at it. A Heortling hunter would act as a skirmisher during raids, largely, and would certainly have some sort of ability in this vein, whether an Evade permitting him or her to scramble away from a wounded or angry prey animal while continuing to rain missile fire upon it or a Skirmish permitting him or her to strike an enemy and withdraw... forcing the opponent to close again.

Thought? Opinions?



Michael Schwartz mschwartz_at_... Ann Arbor, MI USA

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