Strike Rank Penalties

[windmark728]

I'm having a difference of opinion with a Player of mine. So far, I have interpreted that the following:

Strike Rank Penalty = (Totalled Armour Points worn on all locations) divided by five (p. 125).

to mean that EACH body part AP is totalled up to determine a character's Strike Rank Penalty.

This means that the head, chest, abdomen, right and left arms EACH, and right and left legs EACH, are counted individually. 7 locations total.

One of my Players has interpreted the Armour Pieces Table (p. 96) as armoured greaves covering BOTH legs; pants covering the abdomen and BOTH legs; sleeves covering BOTH arms, etc.

His argument is that, for the purposes of Strike Rank Penalty, both arms and both legs are counted as one AP number. This means that the head, chest and abdomen are counted. The right and left arms are counted as a set, and both right and left legs are counted as a set: 5 locations total. And as far as pants go- they would cover 3 locations! In his view, the SR Penalty would, of course, be less.

I haven't seen an obvious example showing that my interpretation is wrong, so that is what I am leaning towards, but I am nothing, if not a fair (but brutal) GM.

Edit: And should a shield be considered as part of the SR total?

 

[Simulacrum]

Sounds like your player is being deliberately perverse. You are right, he is wrong.

 

[Stainless]

I would agree, you are right, he is wrong. And why not include the shield in calculating the SR penalty? It will encumber a user and so slow them down, so it makes sense to include it.

 

[taxboy]

Though I think the armour penalty should apply to more than just Strike Rank - should apply to skill checks etc...

 

[Mixster]

I would agree, you are right, he is wrong. And why not include the shield in calculating the SR penalty? It will encumber a user and so slow them down, so it makes sense to include it.

Using the AP or the Enc for a shield?

IIRC a buckler has more AP than a Kite Shield, so if using AP why is a buckler more cumbersome than a kite shield.
If using Enc, why not do it with weapons as well?
And when opening that can of worms, what if a character changes his weaponry during a fight, does his strike rank change as well?

 

[windmark728]

Thanks for the replies. I was resolved to continue to use my interpretation of the rules, but wanted other opinions and thoughts on the matter.

And when opening that can of worms, what if a character changes his weaponry during a fight, does his strike rank change as well?

If encumbrance can be fluid and change on occasion, why not Strike Rank? The formula isn't complex and I can always have the player keep note of his SR with and without his shield.

 

[Mixster]

And when opening that can of worms, what if a character changes his weaponry during a fight, does his strike rank change as well?

If encumbrance can be fluid and change on occasion, why not Strike Rank? The formula isn't complex and I can always have the player keep note of his SR with and without his shield.

Sure if that works for you, do it.

We tried it though, and my character constantly changed strike rank.
He was a wizard so he starts the combat unarmed. Getting some +15ish strike rank.
Then he casts some enhance spells making his strike rank ~+30.
Then he draws his shield and his swords making it ~+24
Then he gets his spells dispelled making it ~+12
Then he turns into a Lizard, making it ~+15 (probably +12 in legend since SIZ doesn't matter in strike rank anymore)
Then he draws his bow, making it ~+18.
All in all he'd constantly change his strike rank and be a pain in the arse to check. But I'm probably just annoyed that strike rank can change AT ALL during combat. IMO it should be set at start-up, and I wouldn't like to penalize people who had their shields ready from the start as opposed to people who didn't because that would hardly be realistic.

 

[windmark728]

Yeah, I see what you mean, but how can you NOT let a player have his character adjust to the situations around him?

He was a wizard so he starts the combat unarmed. Getting some +15ish strike rank.
Then he casts some enhance spells making his strike rank ~+30.
Then he draws his shield and his swords making it ~+24
Then he gets his spells dispelled making it ~+12
Then he turns into a Lizard, making it ~+15 (probably +12 in legend since SIZ doesn't matter in strike rank anymore)
Then he draws his bow, making it ~+18.

Casting spells takes time and switching weapons takes time. Are his opponents just sitting back, allowing him to do all these things? I would think not. Sometimes players just need to be reminded that they can do almost anything they want to- there's just a price to pay. Then they have to decide if they are willing to pay that price.

I should think that with all of that switching and casting, that this guy was getting pounded on during combat.

 

[Mixster]

Casting spells takes time and switching weapons takes time. Are his opponents just sitting back, allowing him to do all these things? I would think not. Sometimes players just need to be reminded that they can do almost anything they want to- there's just a price to pay. Then they have to decide if they are willing to pay that price.

I should think that with all of that switching and casting, that this guy was getting pounded on during combat.

Nah, the enhance spells are enhance INT and DEX so he has 3-4 more CA than the next guy. The other guys were usually the ones to take a pounding. This was mostly an example of a battle where we had been encountered at two ranges at once, and he needed to be effective at both.