I've been mostly using either simple contests or extended contests for combat so far, but I think I'm going to do more combats as multiple single contests.
For example for a fight, one single contest for sneaking up, and seeing if you can ambush your opponents. A second for missile combat and closing. Then a third for hand to hand combat. The first contest gives a modifier for the second, the second can cause an injury (which will cause a modifier) for the third, the third determines the outcome. I guess running an extended contest, but putting controls on what abilities can be used in the first, second rounds, etc is a similar way of doing things.
Extended contests for combats all too often use the same abilities over and over again. There are a couple of problems with that. One is that it is boring to play, boring to run. The other is that it rewards characters with a single high combat ability, which makes for boring characters.
Cheers David
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