Does STR no longer play a role in melee

[Stainless]

The Dex DM is part of the attack roll and thus part of the effect. So unless you subtract it back out, you'll be adding both Dex DM and Str DM to the damage roll.

In the same vein, the DEX DM is part of the attack roll for ranged and thus part of the effect. So your DEX stacks with the kinetic energy of a bullet. Makes no sense really other than as a game mechanic.

 

[anselyn]

The Dex DM is part of the attack roll and thus part of the effect. So unless you subtract it back out, you'll be adding both Dex DM and Str DM to the damage roll.

In the same vein, the DEX DM is part of the attack roll for ranged and thus part of the effect. So your DEX stacks with the kinetic energy of a bullet. Makes no sense really other than as a game mechanic.

I thought for a moment this might be double counting (as anything that increases your chance to hit increases your time-averaged damage per attack). But you're right. If you think of two shooters with the same skill but one with a DEX DM - then the one with the +1 DEX DM hits on more possible outcomes on the dice - AND - when both shooters have the same outcome on the dice Mr +1 Dex gets more damage.

Rationalisation is easier than rule fixes - but helpful as times. The more dexterous hit better - i.e. right to the middle of the torso not the shoulder? etc.

 

[Stainless]

Yes, the way to rationalise it is to say aiming is not just to hit the body no matter where, but to hit the most effective region of the body. Thus, those who can aim better are better at dealing damage.

 

[nawara]

As someone who actually trains in real life with montantes (5 to 6 foot swords), I have to strongly argue in favor of dexterity. Yes you need a minimum amount of strength to use the weapon at all, but once it gets moving then you are working with momentum and balance far more than raw physical strength.

I would argue that that's as much the Melee skill as it is DEX. I guess my real question is, do you think a gymnast with 100 hours of training is going to be +2 better with a montante than a powerlifter with 100 hours of training? Because I don't even think that in epee... some of my scariest opponents were jacked-up monsters with adequate training, long reach, explosive power, and a 350-pound bench.

Not to say that my worst defeat of all time wasn't to a 15-year-old girl, because it totally was, but I think allowing players the choice of STR or DEX is perfectly appropriate.

Though I do concede that's "real life" and the needs of the game are not necessarily the same.

Agreed. Game-wise, I think choice of STR or DEX is the best. Everybody seemed happy with it before, and it allows for some distinguishing descriptions of equally-skilled combatants.

 

[FallingPhoenix]

Agreed. Game-wise, I think choice of STR or DEX is the best. Everybody seemed happy with it before, and it allows for some distinguishing descriptions of equally-skilled combatants.

Since effect adds to damage, any attribute that gets to add to your chance to hit is effectively also adding to your damage. If nothing else, having the choice on the hit roll avoids either a double add to damage or leaving out STR entirely.