AP's and contests

From: James Turner <j.a.turner_at_...>
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 15:00:52 +0100

Richard Develyn:
>So what this comes to in the end as that generally people will use one of
>their best abilities, if not their *best* ability, in all statements of
>intent in order to get high APs, and then swap abilities as appropriate.

I noticed this problem after reading the humakti v undead example of changing abilities in the rulebook. Why if you have 5w 'close combat' and 17 'fight undead' abilities would you ever start a fight with 'fight undead'?

If you have a low ability that can in any way be linked to another higher ability you are always going to use the higher ability first to get a higher AP total. Even then unless you suffer heavy improv penalties you may never switch to a more appropiate ability.

HW favours generalists over specialists.

Re: the Duke and his assasination-

The attackers goal is to kill the Duke and they start the contest. The Duke has his sword available (he is wearing it) and thus can use his fencing ability to defend against the attackers. One of the attackers just bid high and described his action as grabbing the Dukes sword arm.

If they were really smart they would have attacked him when he didn't have his sword on him.

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James Turner
Systems Support Officer
University of Aberdeen
j.a.turner_at_...