Visor strikes and Precision Training

[donbaloo]

A couple of questions here that have stemmed from the Insta-kill Knife thread. I've seen reference made to striking through visors a time or two here on the forums and its mentioned in the book as well (p. 190). The book mentions closing to Inside striking distance to bypass shields and to strike through visors? I know the bit about bypassing shields is mechanically supported but is the striking through visors bit just for color? You still get all your armor dice when fighting on the inside, right? Even if I move my strike to the head my opponent still gets his helmet armor dice doesn't he?

Also, how does one meet his aptitude requirements for Trainings such as Precision Training to open the skill? Precision Training lists Perception as the root skill for Aptitude so that tells me how many tests I need in order to open it but how do I test that skill to log a test for it? Same with Armor and Shield Training. What exactly am I rolling to log an aptitude test for those?

[donbaloo]

Never mind on the Training aptitudes question, I'm retarded. For those who may also wonder the answer to this is very clear on p. 53 of the Systems book. :oops:

Still wondering about the visor strikes though...

[luke]

in the basic rules, you can only spend successes to move your strikes to the head. Whether you're on the inside or out. I'm prettty much leaving it up to you folks to house rule if you want it different than that, but I am VERY wary of removing a PLAYER'S last resort defenses in a life and death matter.

Most of the "striking through the visor" stuff that I'm aware of, involves the opponent being pinned or incapacitated. It's not a simple matter of a "called shot" in a wild combat.

I have such mixed feelings about this! :?

[Manicrack]

I guess you strike through a visor when the oppoent rolls badly on his armor roll: You are lucky enough to hit the most vulnerable spot.
I think it would be too complicated if you do it any other way.

--

[donbaloo]

I guess you strike through a visor when the oppoent rolls badly on his armor roll: You are lucky enough to hit the most vulnerable spot.
I think it would be too complicated if you do it any other way.
--

Yeah, either too complicated or too "I can't believe I finally worked my way into a suit of platemail for that jerk to stab me in the face through my visor". Either one is no good.

I have such mixed feelings about this!

Oooooooo, creator angst! How juicy! :)

Just to make sure I'm clear on this though, if I get a lock to put my opponent deep enough into one of his physical stats (putting it at zero) then he is incapacitated. Is he unconcious or is the locker still limited to actions that he could feasibly perform while maintaining his lock? I'm assuming that with either answer the locker could dispatch his opponent with a knife without having to roll, or no?

[kaomera]

If you had to have this, I think you could allow something similar to a Great Strike: one action to get into position, then the strike with extra successes counting twords VA (to represent hitting a weak point). I'd only allow it with fairly small stabbing weapons, Inside, against an opponent currently limited to natural defenses.

No, actually, I lie: I probably wouldn't allow it anyway (but I'm sure I'll cave in the first time a player suggests it at a dramatic moment); I like BW combat the way it is (seems to be... :oops: I do still need to get a sample Fight! run...), messy enough you don't really want any, but not so deadly you wouldn't take some if offered.

[Thor Olavsrud]

No, actually, I lie: I probably wouldn't allow it anyway (but I'm sure I'll cave in the first time a player suggests it at a dramatic moment); I like BW combat the way it is (seems to be... :oops: I do still need to get a sample Fight! run...), messy enough you don't really want any, but not so deadly you wouldn't take some if offered.

For what it's worth, we agree with you. With enough successes, you can strike for the head, but then it's up for the armor, the wound on the PTGS, and the narration to determine where you hit and how.

If you can incapacitate someone to the point where they aren't moving, then feel free to murder them to your heart's conent. However, off the battlefield, there are sure to be repercussions for this sort of behavior...

[kaomera]

If you can incapacitate someone to the point where they aren't moving, then feel free to murder them to your heart's conent. However, off the battlefield, there are sure to be repercussions for this sort of behavior...

Hell, even on the battlefield there's bound to be repercussions!

And how, exactly, does one "murder (someone) to your heart's content"? I mean, typically, you murder them, they're dead; it doesn't matter if you're ready to stop now or not. Unless you've somehow smuggled in a ring of regeneration from old-skool D&D... :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[luke]

let the time available be the judge. if the situation allows for only a split second's worth of effort (an action, per se), then ALL of the rules and conventions from Fight! and Armor and Injury apply.

If there's no conflict where time is crucial ask yourself two questions: is this NPC worth a second thought? If not, then "Yeah, yeah, he's finished." Second, would a player enjoy the same treatment to his PC? If not, perhaps it's best to stick to the rules and conventions.

-L

[stormsweeper]

And how, exactly, does one "murder (someone) to your heart's content"?

I usually start by cutting off the feet.