A way to fend off attackers

[Susano]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

The problem is, I don't think you can Cover a location. And how do you Cover an area? I don't think you can.

[Panpiper]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

22 Real Points - Naked advantage on 45 AP of HtH Killing Attack; 4 Meter Radius Area of Effect +1/4, Selective +1/4, Constant +1/2 (total 45 AP); OIF Spear of Opportunity -1/2, Full Phase -1/2

 

It won't 'stop' an enemy from moving to attack, but it will subject any enemy to a 'free' attack by the character, simply by moving into that area, which may or may not influence their decision to move into the area. Generally a bad guy will go after the target that presents the least danger to them in attacking, and the most danger from 'not' attacking. A character who is using their entire phase to create a 'damage field' about them is being very defensive and not immediately presenting a danger to the enemy, unless the enemy chooses to attack them, at which point they pose the most severe danger as they get an instant and automatic attack upon the enemy who moves into the area of effect. Conversely other characters who are not using their full phase to create a defensive field, are likely to be more offensive, and pose more of an immediate threat to an enemy. Hence an intelligent enemy will attack other characters given a choice, rather than the one with the damage field. Pretty much the effect described by the OP.

 

Given the automatic attack they are subjected to simply by moving into the area of effect, it would be reasonable for the GM to adjudicate that an enemy might need an ego roll to actually move into the area of effect. Possibly leading to one or more enemies dancing outside of it, unwilling to attack. Exactly the effect described by the OP.

 

It should also be obvious that maintaining the level of physical exertion necessary to fend off multiple attackers in a whirling frenzy of spear slashes and thrusts, will burn endurance fast.

[PhilFleischmann]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

Stand beside an open door with your fist up, ready to punch anyone who comes through the door. Isn't that covering a location?

[Susano]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

Stand beside an open door with your fist up' date=' ready to punch anyone who comes through the door. Isn't that covering a location?[/quote']

 

Now, that's a Held Action. To Cover someone you need make an Attack Roll versus your target's DCV (at -2 IIRC). If you hit, then you can automatically hit with your covering attack if your target does something you don't want. You can't target empty air and expect to hit who ever enters said hex. Actually, you can Cover an empty hex, but all you get to do is hit the hex, not whoever might enter it. If you want to automatically hit whoever enters a hex then you need to have an Constant AOE.

[PhilFleischmann]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

Can you combine Cover and Spread? Or Cover and Sweep?

[Sean Waters]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

Can you combine Cover and Spread? Or Cover and Sweep?

 

 

You can do suppressive fire - no good reason that you can not apply that to melee attacks if they have a bit of reach - but it does technically need to be autofire (a GM might allow a multiple attack instead of autofire) so you'd need a naked advantage 'autofire - only to suppress an area' to make it work.

 

I very much like the idea of using existing combat rules though: builds are very cool but, as I keep on saying, the actual rules of Hero are very solid indeed and allow for a LOT of choice and variation.

[Doc Democracy]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

You can do suppressive fire - no good reason that you can not apply that to melee attacks if they have a bit of reach - but it does technically need to be autofire (a GM might allow a multiple attack instead of autofire) so you'd need a naked advantage 'autofire - only to suppress an area' to make it work.

 

Isn't that what I said Waters!?!!

[Sean Waters]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

Isn't that what I said Waters!?!!

 

You think I read what YOU write?

[Doc Democracy]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

You only get away with that coz you're in Bournemouth!

[Wayside]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

What about an AoE Change environment to reduce the movement mode of running. Enough of a reduction to movement and when they enter the protected zone (2 hexes out from the character, leaving a 1 hex gap) their speed is reduced to 0 and they stop, unable to approach the spear whirling character.

[Utech]

Re: A way to fend off attackers

 

Change Environment is clearly meant for just this sort of thing. Anyone entering the area will have to make a roll (your choice, but EGO, DEX, or PRE make sense) or be forced to back off. They take no damage from the attack and could certainly improve their roll by taking a little time and preparing. Likewise, with the proper preparation, they could easily counter the Change Environment -- a shield, long weapon, or cloak, for example, could easily be used to disrupt and/or foul the spear flourish.