Net and trident fighting?

[atlascott]

Anyone do this in your game? How do you handle the net?

[L. Marcus]

Re: Net and trident fighting?

 

. . . I'd say the net is a Grab through a Focus . . .

[Comic]

Re: Net and trident fighting?

 

Retiari (net and trident gladiators) were fisherman-inspired combatants in the themed show fights of ancient Rome.

 

Such fights were staged as much as moral lessons for the crowds -- teaching patriotism, that the state will always win, that obedience brings victory, etc. -- as entertainment. Which is to say, the fights were somewhat fixed.

 

Retiari were the least heavily-armored (one epaulet, one padded forearm) of gladiators, though their fighting style was apparently freakishly deadly. There's a report of a retiarus going berserk and killing twelve secutors (trained gladiators with swords, helmets, medium armor and shields) after the match was over because of an unfair decision by the Emperor.

 

I believe UMA either has a standard build for a net-style, or rules on how to build a style with martial block, disarm, legsweep and grab based on a weapon.

 

As far as powers go, the net might give 1"-2" of stretching, and AoE 1 hex as an advantage on STR. Nets were weighted, and the weights could be used to deliver stunning blows even through a helmet or smash bones at the joint.

 

Retiari were adept at handling multiple foes, and frequently fought outnumbered 2:1 or more.

 

From time to time, it was popular for women to be retiari.

 

The trident's prongs were generally used to attack vulnerable points only, while its butt-end was more dangerous for delivering damaging blows, though seldom used. Overall the trident was a showy weapon of finesse for blocking, engaging and tripping before delivering telling damage. This may be seen as an example of a Killing Attack designed to deliver more stun than body to opponents with resistant defenses.

 

As far as I can tell, the net was usually methodically employed more heavily early in the engagement to wear down opponents and put them off-balance, until the retiarus had a tactical advantage, and also to please the crowds with flashy net maneuvers. The longer the fight lasted, the more the odds favored the net-wielders' side.

[Rapier]

Re: Net and trident fighting?

 

It's definately going to get a bit complicated.

 

You have two basic choices. Purchase (through equipment points, etc) the weapons and give the character some HtH levels and let him choose where OCV and DCV levels go.

 

Build a Martial Arts package, designed for two weapon fighting, don't forget to include using weapons with the Art. Choose maneuvers that you believe best represent the Art.

 

Include some levels for HtH Sweeping.