Entangle Only to Form Barriers

[Wildcat]

OK Cecked the FAQ, and it didn't cover this 100%. In the FAQ it states this

 

Q: If a character uses Entangle to make a wall, does the Entangle still take damage normally? For example, suppose a DEF4/BODY 14 Entangle wall is hit with an RKA that does 10 BODY. Would the end result be an Entangle wall DEF4/BODY 8 wall?

 

A: The wall takes damage just like any other Entangle; the example is correct. If the Entangle Takes No Damage From Attacks, an attacker would have to target it at -3 OCV to damage it

 

So what happens in this situation:

Character has the Entangle, Blocks Sight Group, with the Only to form Barriers Lim on it. Then puts the Advans - Opaque to Norm sight, & Takes no Dam from Energy Attacks. Now the Wall is standing there and the Character hides behind it. From what I read in the FAQ, another char has to target the wall to hit it, but what if the attacker targets the Char behind the Wall (provided he can sense him in some fashion) Then does the Wall (Entangle Barrier) not protect him at all?

 

And further if say the Wall is built this way:"Takes no Dam from Physical Attacks" Can a character trying to attack the Char behind the wall w/say a Move through, or Gun ignore the wall seeing on how he's not attacking the wall directly and getting the -3 OCV.

 

Also this -

If a Force Wall was Transparent to PD, then it could be walked through, but not the Entagle Barrier right? If so then a character just running down an Alley with an Entagle Barrier across it shouldn't have to have a -3 OCV to hit it, I mean how's he going to miss? But if it's bought as Takes no Damage from PD than he should just be able to walk though it as long as he doesn't target it right?

 

I hope this is clear... it's a bit fuzzy in my own head.

 

Thanx in advance Steve

[Steve Long]

If a character is behind a wall, be it a wall built with Entangle or bricks and mortar, normal rules for Concealment's effect on the attacker's OCV (5E 249) would apply.

 

Generally, characters can walk through PD-Transparent Force Walls, unless the GM sees fit to rule otherwise based on common sense, dramatic sense, or considerations of game balance.

 

An Entangle with Takes No Damage From Attacks (be it any attack, or just a limited form of attack) doesn't necessarily lack physical existence, and so can't be walked through per se. If it's been used to build a wall, characters definitely can't walk through it; the idea of applying Takes No Damage to an Entangle that can only create walls doesn't make sense. For example, if you look in the USPD, you'll see that virtually every instance of an Entangle with "Takes No Damage" also has the Limitation Cannot Form Barriers (and the two that don't have it are going to be errataed to include it; they should have it, unquestionably).

 

As always, the GM has to apply common sense, dramatic sense, and considerations of game balance when evaluating a game situation. If common sense tells you that an OCV penalty shouldn't apply, or should be reduced, in a particular situation, that's what you should do.