Different 'Defenses' against Multiple Opponents

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From: SARAH <sarah.newton5_at_...>
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:22:29 -0000

Here's another one. How would you model a contest where multiple opponents are attacking a single PC in very different ways? How do you manage the ability (or abilities?) the PC is using?

Let's take the attack on Gringle's pawn shop in Return to Apple Lane. PC #1 is trying to drive away Darsten's bunch of farmers and raiders, using his Sword & Shield against a Moderate resistance of (say) 16 (it's session #5). Then, Erianda decides she's going to use her Darkness power to blast pc #1 with Fearshock and try to kill him. She's a Very Hard resistance (16+9=25), and as an additional opponent PC#1 is at a -3 multiple opponent penalty.

My question is: what ability does PC#1 use in his roll against Erianda? If it was a completely free choice, he might try to jump out of the way - but this is a different ability to the Sword & Shield he's using against the thugs. If he's forced to use Sword & Shield, then maybe he tries to parry the Fearshock, at a considerable stretch penalty. But maybe he has a 'Resistant to Darkness Magic' ability, or a Fire / Light rune? Or maybe he is only allowed to use his default magic resistance of 14. Can he use a different ability against the second foe? What about augments?

Cheers!

Sarah