please excuse me for not including the original posts--the digest exceeds my reply to buffer and they were losts.
Regarding powergaming GMs:
I would like to second the point made by someone about
the group of friends situation. I think the majority
of the on-line talk about games comes from those who
circulate in the wider gaming community, but I expect
the majority of sales, and certainly the ever needed
fresh blood, comes from groups of friends. Often they
may all love gaming, but none of them may be an
experienced or close to ideal GM. Doesn't mean you
can't have fun, though! I do worry that HW may not be
as accessible to that sort of group. (Then again,
once upon a time, we had good times playing Space
Opera with an adversial GM, which for those of you who
have memories going back that far goes to show that it
is the quality of the people, not the rules or the
play style, that makes for a fun game).
Regarding shield breaking, etc: It seems to me far
simpler to treat this with AP points. Not having seen
the movie in question, I'll make up my own example.
Axe wielding Uroxi is getting frustrated by the
Yelmalioid hiding behind a large door, errr shield and
poking at him with pointy things.
Uroxi: "I cut his blasted spear in two! 7 AP bid!"
GM: I think that is too low--this is a major risk
since you have to ignore him for a moment to attack
the spear." Uroxi: "how about 12?" GM: "sounds about
right." He rolls well and succeeds. GM: "Your shift in
targets surprises him, and with a single swing you cut
apart his spear right behind the reinforcing bands."
Yelmelioid takes an action and pulls out a smaller
pokey thing.
Uroxi: "Now I start cutting my way through his shield.
First I'll cut it to kindling, then him! 12 AP again."
He fails this time. GM "You just lodged your axe in
his shield."
Yelmelioid makes a successful role. GM "He wrenches
his shielf and jerks the axe right out of your hands."
....and on the exchange goes. The Uroxi could simply roll as normal, and if he succeeds he obviously got his axe free. Or he could could use his "strong" ability instead to wrench it free. Or maybe he tries to use the axe to pull the shield away from his opponent, or....
I think the point is, the AP system is supposed to roll in all those dramatic things that happen in fights. Sure, it includes standing toe to toe exchanging blows, but it also includes all the throwing sand in the opponents face, disarming them, diving for your own sword on the floor, locking hilts then smashing his nose in with your other fist sort of thing that they love in the movies. I don't think you need special rules for Zorro to cut the "Z" in his opponents shirt, it is still an AP bid.
At least, that is how I look at it. It's all part of the fight. Avoiding all sorts of fiddly detail special case rules will let the fight run fast and furious, hopefully.
--Bryan
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