Diving for cover

[mb345345]

When someone dives for cover as a reaction:

- they get -2 from everyone attacking them. Is this from them diving, or because they are in cover? Or does it stack for -4 (-2 for the reaction and -2 for the cover). I'm guessing it's just because they're in cover as the rules mention only -1 for being prone

- or are they in *full* cover (ie. Completely hidden behind cover) and if so does this inflict a worse penalty? Is this the circumstance where they "may get a bonus to protection"

I'm probably overthinking it!

TIA

 

[Arkathan]

You get -1 for going prone and -1 for cover. The next paragraph says you only get -1 if no cover within 1.5 meters.
You gain equivalent armor protection of the cover, so if you are not using empty cardboard boxes as cover, less damage.
The next turn, you get -2 for cover, if you make sure you are fully behind it, and the -1 for prone will stack with that.
While diving, you are not fully prone and not completely in cover. You are moving to get there.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

When someone dives for cover as a reaction:

Just follow the procedure:

MgT2 Core'22, p76:
DIVING FOR COVER
This is similar to dodging but instead of just ducking down or away from an attack, a Traveller will be throwing themselves to the ground, hopefully behind something solid. A Traveller may only dive for cover from ranged attacks.

A Traveller diving for cover will inflict a DM-2 on the attack roll of every attacker who targets them in this combat round and may get a bonus to Protection.

They may dive behind any object within 1.5 metres of their current position. If there is no suitable cover nearby, the Traveller only inflicts DM-1 on any attack rolls made against them, for being a prone target.

However, a Traveller diving for cover will forgo their next actions completely – they are too busy trying to avoid being hurt!

Dive behind cover (not concealment): DM-2 and perhaps some extra armour depending on the cover.
Dive down without cover: DM-1.

The next round you are presumably prone on the ground, behind cover (if available). Now you can in full cover, if you are lucky.

 

[rinku]

Essentially you forego your next action to go into cover early, with an overall penalty applied to all attackers.

Keep in mind you could have Dodged instead, and used your next action to move into cover; if your DEX or Athletics (Dex) mod is +2 or better, or if there is no cover and you have at least a +1, it's probably preferable. Diving for cover is best used as a last resort if you REALLY need that hard protection NOW.

Or if you don't actually have a positive DEX or Athletics (Dex) mod.

If the cover in question is as tall as the character, I'd be fine with them not actually going prone. Call that "duck for cover". But out in the open the only option is to Dodge or fall flat.

 

[swordtart]

Not forgetting of course that as it is a reaction "Diving for Cover" can be done out of turn and in addition to your 3 minor actions or 1 major 1 minor actions. You won't be doing much the following turn, but if you stood there to be shot you might never have a turn again