How does "Lock Weapons" work?

[Der Rote Baron]

Hi there! Just got the new rulesbook, flipped through it and found the "LOck Weapons" maneuver.
So, any Idea how that works? It say in the text that combatants lock weapons if "the character's attck roll is exactly equal to the opponent's Parry Defence or his Parry Defence is exactly equal to his opponent's attack roll".

Okay. So far, so confusing because

(a) when do you roll for your Parry Defence? In my oppinion it is a fixed number (10 + STR bonus + modifiers like shield bonus, Parry Feat etc).

(b) I always thought that if you hit the Parry Defence then you scored a hit and did damage. But "locking blades" aren't really digging into anybody's flesh far they are ... well... locked.

So, does that mean that you have to hit Parry Defence + 1 to do damage and an exact hit is a "Locked Weapons" situation?

Or do you lock weapons AND do damage (makes no sense IMHO)?

Any ideas?

 

[Trodax]

Eh, yeah, good question, that does sound weird.

One idea could be that if you're the attacker and your attack roll is exactly equal to the defender's parry score, you could choose to lock weapons with him (instead of dealing damage).
But the other way around, if you're the defender and the attacker hits your parry score exactly, it seems very strange if you could then choose to lock weapons with him (because why wouldn't you always do that then instead of taking the damage?).
And I agree with you that dealing damage AND locking weapons seems weird.

The way I'm reading it, sounds more like this should have been an optional rule like weapon breakage (page 174) rather than a combat manoeuvre. I might be missing something, though, anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Mongoose Gar]

(a) when do you roll for your Parry Defence? In my oppinion it is a fixed number (10 + STR bonus + modifiers like shield bonus, Parry Feat etc).

(b) I always thought that if you hit the Parry Defence then you scored a hit and did damage. But "locking blades" aren't really digging into anybody's flesh far they are ... well... locked.
Any ideas?

Remember, the use of a combat maneuvre is _optional_. You can opt to Lock Weapons whenever your attack roll is exactly equal to your opponent's Defence, or when your Defence is exactly equal to your opponent's Parry. You don't have to do so if you don't want to - but if you do, then you both make Grapple checks, and the loser gets forced back.

Damage happens normally, regardless of the Lock Weapons move. It won't save you from getting hit, but it could push your opponent back.

Edit: Yeah, you can lock weapons and take damage. Assume that the parry wasn't there in time to stop the blow, but you did manage to get your sword tangled up with your opponent, or that your foe hits you as you send him flying back...

 

[Trodax]

OK, it does make sense if the attack still scores damage regardless of the weapons locking or not. I got confused because of my assumption that Lock Weapon was instead of dealing damage.

Basically, whenever an attack roll scores exactly equal to the parry score, both the attacker or the defender could choose to Lock Weapon. Makes sense, thanks for the clarification!

 

[Axerules]

Don't forget also the optional parrying rule: if you use it, an attack that is equal to Parry Defence can be treated as a successfull sunder attempt but WITHOUT damage taken by the opponent.

I used it thus far, but I don't know now, with this new manoeuvre: could an attack damage the other weapon AND lock (if it wasn't destroyed, of course) ?

 

[Der Rote Baron]

I think Axerules hits it right between the eyes IF one is using the optional Parry rules:
Dodge and go Scot-free BUT you get hit if I hit your Defence, Parry and you can save your hide but be aware of the fact that I'll detroy your toy or throw you around a little (Okay, IF you are Conan I'll get pushed around ... damn that Cimmerian Dog!).

Locking weapons and dmaging the opponent works, but sounds rulish and awkward to me if I think to long about it ... which I fortunately am not going to do.

It's another combat option and quite a nice one!