Determining Relative Distance

[Wayfinder]

On page 150 under Shorter vs Longer it states:

"If a shorter weapon is in its optimal striking distance, all longer weapons are in optimal striking distance"

Hmmm. Is this right? If it is, could someone explain this. I may be missing a mechanic somewhere. :?

[Thor Olavsrud]

Yes. It's correct. All striking distances are relative to the winner of the Positioning Test.

The optimal striking distance for a long weapon, like a sword, is a range that encompasses the optimal striking distance of a shortest weapon, like a knife. So when a knife is in optimal striking distance -- right out of arms reach -- the sword is also in optimal striking distance.

However, the knife is also especially good at Inside Striking Distance -- inside arms' reach -- where a sword is not very good.

Both the sword and the knife have certain advantages. Swords are Long weapons, so when fighting a short or shortest weapon, the sword fighter sets himself at an optimal striking distance that allows him to strike without a penalty while the knife fighter has to lunge. If the knife fighter moves into optimal striking distance, neither fighter pays a penalty. However, if the knife fighter moves into inside striking distance, the sword fighter pays the penalty.

Does that make sense?

[Enlil]

On the other end, it says -
Longer vrs shorter - a weapon two lengths shorter is outside striking distance.

Am I reading that right that a spear is in optimal while a sword is out of range, and a sword is in optimal while a dagger is out of range?

Christian

[Thor Olavsrud]

On the other end, it says -
Longer vrs shorter - a weapon two lengths shorter is outside striking distance.

Am I reading that right that a spear is in optimal while a sword is out of range, and a sword is in optimal while a dagger is out of range?


The important thing to keep track of is who wins the Positioning test. If the Spear guy (longest) wins the positioning test against the sword guy (long), he moves into optimal and the sword guy is stuck in lunging distance.

If the spear guy (longest) wins the positioning test against knife guy (shortest), the spear guy moves into optimal striking distance and the knife guy is out of range.

If the knife guy (shortest) wins the positioning test against spear guy(longest) and moves into optimal striking distance, both spear guy AND knife guy are in optimal distance.

On the other hand, if knife guy manages to get Inside Striking Distance, then both knife guy AND spear guy are Inside Striking Distance. In that case, spear guy better have a good life insurance policy, because his nice long spear has suddenly become a huge liability.

[luke]

On the other end, it says -
Longer vrs shorter - a weapon two lengths shorter is outside striking distance.

Am I reading that right that a spear is in optimal while a sword is out of range, and a sword is in optimal while a dagger is out of range?


the short answer to your question, christian, is yes. with a longer weapon, you can really screw your opponent by controlling the fight -- positioning him so he's vulnerable while you are not.

-L

[Enlil]

Yeah, that was what I thought. I just wanted to make sure I had the range increments right.

So to make sure I have this right -
We have two fighter, Boris with his axe (a long weapon), a reflex of B5 and a speed of B4, and Rexor the town guardsman with a Spear (longest weapon), reflex of B4 and speed of B3. Both have standard movement for a biped.

Boris has 5 dice (4 + 1 for reflex). Rexor has 4 dice (3 + 1 for the longer weapon).

Say Rexor wins the positioning test. He places himself at optimal, while placing Boris out of range.

Now, if Boris wins a close test, he can put himself into lunging distance with a win, or optimal if he wins by 2. Rexor is in optimal in either case.

Assume Boris and Rexor are both in optimal range. Rexor wins a withdraw test. Can he choose whether to remain at optimal and put Boris at Lunging, or move to Lunging, which should put Boris out of range?

How about if Boris won the positioning test by 2 (from optimal)? Could he move out of range of Rexor's spear with that?

Christian

[luke]

How about if Boris won the positioning test by 2 (from optimal)? Could he move out of range of Rexor's spear with that?


Yes. If, at optimal range, Boris wins by two, he can move to lunging to out of range. At that point, if the exchange is over, the fight is over.

-L