Horishijin said:
I can't help but wonder if this is an error. I can see a rationale for having parry DV be strength determined, but it really seems to make it possible to have a fighter-type who is based entirely around one stat. I prefer to have a mix of stats come into play. Further, there woud appear to be no penalty for wearing as much armor as you please, so long as you rely on a parry defefense.
Wow, lots of good meat here!
First, the rule is (as you determined) correct. Your Parry DV = Parry Bonus + Strength. To quote the oft' used phrase: Parrying is "setting aside" your opponent's weapon -- a good strength lets you counter those powerful blows with greater ease.
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As for 1 stat characters, Conan RPG is anything but:
For one thing, parry cannot be used to counter ranged attacks -- Dodge must be used and for that a good dex is required. Also, since death can be dealt very quickly in this game, a good initiative is also important. For these 2 reasons, a fighter should have a good Dex.
Second, in order to last in combat you need lots of hit points. Of course, hit points won't help you make your massive damage (fort) saves (only 20hp threshold). For these reasons, a good Con is needed.
If all your characters do is beat things up then these 3 stats are all very important in combat.
It's been my experience that skills get lots of usage in Conan -- moreso than in D&D. Without magic, characters have to seriously rely on their wits and skills. Hide, diplomacy & climb have taken the place of invisibility, charm & fly! For this reason, Intelligence is important.
When you start fighting monsters, you will learn that a horror (will) save is required. So players that I GMd also learned that Entrance/dominate can be a vicious spell in combat. For these reasons, a good Wisdom is needed.
Lastly, Conan and related heros are all quite handsome and always get all the ladies. What good is beating the bad guy if you can't win the affections of the wenches!? For this reason Charisma is important.
I've got a Bossonian Soldier and a Kushite Barb\Pirate and both benefit from a nice spread of stats!
On Strength: Don't get me wrong though, for a combat character Strength is of the highest importance. It contributes to:
To Hit
Damage
Parry
Armor Piercing
Opposed trip, bullrush, overrun and grapple checks
Don't get engaged in melee without it!
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Lastly, on armor:
The movement loss, dex limit and Armor Check Penalties associated with heavy armor are very balancing I think. Forget using skills like balance, climb and jump in full plate! My combats like to have varied terrain where these things can be very useful. Think of Archers standing at the top of some ruins giving an ambush to those below. One player's knight couldn't even think of climbing up to get them, so it was: Fire Arbalest -- reload for 3 rounds, fire Arbalest . . .
In a game I played in yesterday, my Bossonian Archer was in mail shirt (light) and had taken fleetfooted. We where ambushed by soldiers in heavy armor in the forest (restricted movement). Once I got some distance beween me and them, I could perpetually stay at range and fire on them until they were dead, dead, dead. Their heavy armor in that environment left them virtually helpless! (and with a Bossonian Longbow with strength bonus +3 my AP was 8!)
