Opposed rolls clarification (missile combat)

[Morgan d'Barganfore]

I understand the mechanics of opposed rolls. My problem is with the system intent for ranged weapons.
Example:
Molly has bow skill 80%
Fred has mace & shield skill 120%
Fred advances on Molly and Molly fires at him.
[Molly = 68%, Fred = 72%, no other modifiers]

Does the >100% skill rule apply so that the hit and parry becomes just a miss?
[i.e. Molly's skill: 80-20=60% so 68% misses]

And by extension, if the above is correct, then if Fred has a good parry [72%] then with her reduced skill [80-20=60%], Molly needs a critical success [which would be reduced from 8% to 6%].
Am I correct on this?
Or..?

 

[PhilHibbs]

Yes I think that is correct.

 

[Deleriad]

Yes. Took me a while to understand but what you're saying is that:

Molly declares an attack with bow (80%). Fred declares a parry with a shield (120%).

This reduces Molly's skill to 60% and Fred's to 100%.

Think of it as Fred being so adept that's he able to deduce the best shot Molly could make and pre-empt it by placement.

The beauty of this (from Fred's viewpoint) is that if Molly misses (say she rolls 68) then Fred doesn't have to go through with the parry. Basically he's so good that she can't get a decent shot. A lot of people tend to miss this aspect of the rule.

 

[Morgan d'Barganfore]

Ok, thanks guys!
I had to be delicate with this one as the case I stated is similar to one I played in - (I was "Fred" aka Morgan, "Molly" was NPC) - GM ruled that the 20% reduction did not apply to missile combat.
No way was I going to make a scene at the table - I respect the GM too much - and it is his call as to how anything works in his campaign. But I think there was the possibility of a misinterpretation of the rule - OK, I think he was wrong - but my main concern was the system intent and how I should handle it when I'm GM.
In passing, the arrow did hit but only penetrated armour by a couple of points on an unwounded area, so the actual event wasn't a biggie. The principle of the thing caused me more of an issue.

 

[Morgan d'Barganfore]

Thanks Phil (re reply on opposed rolls for missile combat).
Just looking at your wiki on heroic abilities, looks damn good!
Certainly finding it a great read.
Don't know if my GM will allow them though, but worth a discussion I think.

 

[Morgan d'Barganfore]

And to you, too, Deleriad. Not bad manners, just I hadn't seen your reply. Cheers!