What's the best way to resolve this?

[Dr. MID-Nite]

Ok...here's the situation:

The speedster wants to do a Passing Strike on a bad guy. The bad guy has a henchman with a held phase. When the hero attacks, the henchman(slavishly loyal) jumps in the path. The hero thinks that he should be quick enough to react and go around the henchman. The rules say basically that defensive actions like this ALWAYS go off first. This comes up all the time...whether it's a held phase or an aborted phase. How should I handle this? Use the DEX rolls maybe...even though it's a defensive move?

Rob

[cutsleeve]

the henchman has a hend action and because he is trying to interupt the attack or action of another person then he would have to make the apposed dex check to figure out who outreacted who. im preatty sure thats an old rule for held actions. makes sense too.

[Old Man]

FREd p 235?
Dodging, Blocking, etc always always go first
Held attacks and such require a DEX roll off.

[Talon]

Have the henchman Dive for Cover into the attack; if he makes the DEX roll, he's automatically hit.

[Old Man]

Dive for Cover can be used as a Dive In The Way maneuver. At least that's how it was in 4th. So the unusually dedicated henchman just needs to make a dex check. I'd give the henchman a -1 or -2 penalty just to stop the player from whining.

[Vondy]

In general I would require an opposed dex contest (i.e. whichever one makes their roll by a greater margin wins).

In the other hand, I would allow the character to Dive for Cover in order to take the blow in this case.

[Dr. MID-Nite]

Thanks for the responses...

For that situation, I allowed the henchman to dive in the way. I may use the opposed DEX checks in the future....or the Dive For Cover. I actually was on the players side in this one...but I figure if I use the DFC rules..I'll apply a penalty..and if I used opposed DEX checks..in general..the speedster should win..which was the major argument to begin with..
Thanks,
Rob