Parrying

[BP]

A character who is being attacked in melee can parry, applying his Melee skill as a negative DM equal to the attack roll.

Huh? I assume the 'equal' is a mistake - otherwise what does the underlined mean?

Also, 'Each reaction ... applies a -1 DM to all skill checks until the following round.' Parrying states 'A parrying character also has a -1 DM on all skill checks until the next round.' So is that -1 DM or a combined -2 DM?

 

[rinku]

I read that as a typo. The sentence makes no sense, and applying your melee skill as a negative DM to your opponent's attack is the original Traveller rule. Delete the "equal".

Regarding the second point: there are only two reactions listed (dodging and parrying), and both of them say -1 DM to the defender's skill checks until the following round. I read this as just repeating the general "reaction" rules, not adding to them.

 

[CosmicGamer]

I cast another vote for dropping the equal and just -1DM.

 

[Stainless]

Also note that the PC that executes a dodge or a parry subtracts 2 from their initiative in the next round.

 

[BP]

Thanks Guys! 8)

 

[hdan]

As a dissenting voice, I'm going to throw in for Parry being both -1 for the base dodge AND -Melee skill level. so for example someone with Melee-2 would give a -3 DM on a parry reaction.

My reasoning is by way of analogy to dodging - you get -2 if you're dodging into cover. Parrying can be more precise than "cover", so you get the extra DM.

Also, this DM would have the effect on average of making sword fights between talented opponents last longer.

 

[cbrunish]

A character who is being attacked in melee can parry, applying his Melee skill as a negative DM equal to the attack roll.

Huh? I assume the 'equal' is a mistake - otherwise what does the underlined mean?

Also, 'Each reaction ... applies a -1 DM to all skill checks until the following round.' Parrying states 'A parrying character also has a -1 DM on all skill checks until the next round.' So is that -1 DM or a combined -2 DM?

I would think that the "equal to the attack roll" means that you can only use the max value of the melee cbt skill. If for example, the character has a melee cbt-3 then you could only use up to 3 points as a negative DM.

 

[Jame Rowe]

I cast another vote for dropping the equal and just -1DM.

I would say drop "equal" and make the DM the character's Melee skill (e.g. a skill of 1 would be a DM of -1, while a skill of 4 would be DM of -4).

The weapon and presence/absence of shields would also factor.