Why Is "Basic Strike" So Cheap?

[bcwhite]

Under "Martial Maneuvers" in the books, there is no "basic strike".  It is mentioned only on 6E2pg90 as a reference to the default attack.  Designer, however, has it listed under "Martial Arts" HTH options.

 

For 3 points, you get +1 OCV and +3 DCs.

Yet it costs 4 points for a "martial strike" (+2 DCV, +2 DCs) and 5 points for a "defensive strike" (+1 OCV, +3 DCV).

 

6E2pg99 says, "A character can use two CSLs to increase the damage done by a HTH or Ranged attack by one Damage Class."

 

Since DCs cost 2x as much as OCV or DCV, why is "basic strike" cheaper than the others?

[Simon]

1. It's +2 DCs.  The following is the definition from the template:

<MANEUVER DISPLAY="Basic Strike" DEFENSE="NORMAL" DOESDAMAGE="Yes" DOESKNOCKBACK="Yes"  DOESBODY="Yes" DURATION="INSTANT" TARGET="DCV" USESEND="Yes" KILLING="No" ADDSTR="Y"  ACTIVECOST="15" CATEGORY="Hand To Hand" OCV="1" DCV="0" BASECOST="3" PHASE="1/2"  EFFECT="[NORMALDC] Strike" DC="2" WEAPONEFFECT="Weapon [WEAPONDC] Strike" > </MANEUVER>

2. It has the same DC bonus as Martial Strike with a smaller CV bonus.

3. If you follow the rules outlined in UMA to build a martial maneuver, you'll find the cost works out to 3 points (similar to the cost for Martial Strike working out to 4 points).

4. That is the cost listed for Basic Strike in the rules.

[unclevlad]

UMA, or Hero System Martial Arts.  I believe there are some differences WRT killing damage since UMA is 5E.

 

It works out.  These aren't quite the same as CSLs, so the cost structure's a bit different.  The CSLs can be shifted around;  the bonuses from a martial maneuver can't be.  Also note that you've got to buy a decent package of maneuvers...rather than (for example) 3 point CSLs with HTH with, say, empty hand, an HA (staff), and an HKA (sword)...they have to be 3 point CSLs to shift em around.  Or heck, empty hand HTH and a pistol.  If you buy 4 CSLs, 12 points, you've got +2 OCV and +2 DCV....or +2 DCs...or all kinds of things in between.

 

Martial arts tends to fit better when

--you want to notably increase your damage output by buying additional DCs, and/or high-damage moves like Offensive Strike (as opposed to increasing STR, or buying an HA)

--you want special maneuvers...grab, disarm, escape, attacks integrating movement.  

 

And remember, you've got to buy 10 points worth of maneuvers, which may well have overlap.  

 

 

[bcwhite]

Oh, I see.  There was a separate 4pt "+1 HTH Damage Class(es)" and that was being included under the "basic strike" details and thus showing it as +3DC instead of +2DC.  I wasn't expecting that.

 

Thanks for clarifying.

 

 

[unclevlad]

Ah, yes.  When you read the listings in HD, the extra DCs do get included.  You must also have set it to a weapon, so it shows Weapon +N DC.  If the maneuver's an empty hand maneuver, you'll see the damage from STR.