Calculating Defense when target is unarmed.

[rsmathers8]

Okay, can you clarify how to determine a target's defense in the following situation?

It says under the description for Dodge that it should apply for ranged attacks and it says under the description for Parry that it should apply for melee attacks if the target is using a sword or shield. And, there are talents for allowing unarmed parry, or using parry for some ranged attacks, or using your Dex modifier with parry.

However, if the target is in melee, but unarmed and does not have any talents that would affect the situation, how do you calculate their defense? Would their defense only be 10?

We came up with a house rule that a character in melee could use Active Dodge, but they had to sacrifice their next move action and retreat 5 to 10 feet from the attacker. It made sense that someone should be able to use their Dodge, but they couldn't stand toe-to-toe with an armed attacker without giving ground. Does this sound reasonable?

Also, should someone with Savage Chi be able to 1) parry weapons with their arm/hand or 2) use their active dodge in melee without a penalty if they spend at least one CE? Or does this make Savage Chi too powerful?

[Christina]

Hmm...good questions. I hadn't had this come up in anything I've run.

Yes, their defense would be 10. However, you might want to houserule that they could add a point for every 4 ranks they have in the Martial Arts or Unarmed Combat skills. I wouldn't say half their skill level in those, as it defeats the purpose of having the Parry skill to begin with. Yet, martial artists and pugilists would be used to defending themselves with their arms, so they aren't fully defenseless in that regard. I'd even consider letting Martial Arts be a synergy bonus if they did have a melee weapon.

I'd consider having the Savage Chi folks spend 2 CE to get the abilities you name below. I'd have to playtest that to see how it works.

This has the makings of a combat article for RM, if you are interested in writing such (with playtest notes).

[rsmathers8]

Sure, I'll give it a shot.

Please send me any writing guidelines you have or an example of a similar article to use as a template. Should I post the results here or email to you for approval?

[Christina]