I'm replying to myself here ;-)
P43 "Engaging Multiple Opponents" says:
"If you are engaged with more than one opponent, you take part in a number of contests equal to the number of opponents."
This implies that each is a separate contest, suggesting you can use a completely different ability each time against a separate resistance, with a -3 cumulative penalty for each additional contest. So, Sword & Shield vs the thugs, Resist Darkness Magic (etc) or Dodge against Erianda, and so on. Does that work for you guys?
Cheers,
Sarah
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> 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?
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> 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.
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> 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?
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> Cheers!
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> Sarah
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