Question - Mighty Blow

[Supplement Four]

If a character spends a Fate Point, he can deliver a Might Blow on any successful hit.

When does the character declare the Fate Point spent? Before or after the attack throw?

If before, the Fate Point might be wasted if the attack misses, right?

Or, does the Mighty Blow effect stay until a hit is made after spending the Fate Point?

If the Point is spent after a successful attack is made, it seems to me that this would only be used after a Critical Hit is made--that way the damage is truly "mighty".



What's the correct way to use this Fate Point option?

 

[Jacek]

Well, according to the book... I've no idea.

However, a Mighty Blow is something that you ATTEMPT to do in order to crush your foe. Therefore I vote for spending the Point BEFORE the throw, as you've already put all your strenght in it, hit or not. So you miss, you lose the Fate Point.

And about the critical, the damage dealt by a Mighty Blow includes all bonus damage, so perhaps the critical can be taken in as well.

 

[Phobos]

I had the same doubt :S

 

[Supplement Four]

However, a Mighty Blow is something that you ATTEMPT to do in order to crush your foe. Therefore I vote for spending the Point BEFORE the throw, as you've already put all your strenght in it, hit or not. So you miss, you lose the Fate Point.

I thought about that and like the idea, but the Mighty Blow already has a major downside. You use it, and you lose your weapon. It crumbles with the force of the blow. I'm thinking this may be double jeopardy--but, then again, life's not fair in the Hyborian Age.

BTW, my book doesn't say "Attempt". It says "elect to declare", leading me to think the point is spent after a successful attack, before damage is thrown.

And about the critical, the damage dealt by a Mighty Blow includes all bonus damage, so perhaps the critical can be taken in as well.

I was thinking it would be. The best time to throw that Mighty Blow is when you throw a critical...though, if you've got 3 hit points left, and your opponent is kicking your arse, I guess any swing is a good time to deliver a Mighty Blow.

 

[Jacek]

BTW, my book doesn't say "Attempt". It says "elect to declare", leading me to think the point is spent after a successful attack, before damage is thrown.

So is mine. I just haven't noticed it. In this case I think you may be right. Still, I like my reasoning.

I thought about that and like the idea, but the Mighty Blow already has a major downside. You use it, and you lose your weapon. It crumbles with the force of the blow. I'm thinking this may be double jeopardy--but, then again, life's not fair in the Hyborian Age.

You lose the weapon but in many cases such a blow can be a decisive one so it's worth the risk, I think.

The best time to throw that Mighty Blow is when you throw a critical...though, if you've got 3 hit points left, and your opponent is kicking your arse, I guess any swing is a good time to deliver a Mighty Blow.

Exactly.