Confused about Combined Attack

[name_tamer]

6E2, page 74 says

 

Using two or more powers or similar abilities

(but not Combat/Martial Maneuvers or the

like) once against a single target isn’t a Multiple

Attack. It’s a Combined Attack, and counts as

type of Strike.

 

As an example, it says

 

suppose a military robot in a

Science Fiction campaign has a pulson blaster

(Blast 8d6) built into its right hand and a laser

(RKA 2d6, Armor Piercing) built into its left. If

it fires each of them once against a single target,

that’s a Combined Attack

 

But 6E2, page 38 (in the sidebar about building combat-capable characters), discussing Two-Weapon Fighting, says

 

Making multiple attacks in a Phase,

either against one targets or multiple targets,

involves the Multiple Attack Combat Maneuver

(6E2 73)

 

When is making two attacks with two different powers a Combined Attack, and when is it a Multiple Attack?

[tesuji]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

sound byte first...

Combined attack = multiple powers used as one attack

multiple attack = one attack used multiple times.

 

 

 

i THINK the difference is a combined attack is usibng two separate fully purchased attack powers at the same time, usually with a single attack roll but that may just be common.

 

A multiple attack uses the SAME single attack power more than once.

 

For example

 

expensive guy bought a 12d6 Eb and a 4d6 rka for 120 pts, 60 each. he can fire both at a target as a single attack in one phase, no problem, as a combined attack. he suffers little or no penalties.

 

Cheapo guy bought just the 4d6 rka laser for 60 pts and can fire it twice at a target making a spearate attack roll for each but it invokes the multiple attack penalties to action length and dcv or whatever.

 

i THINk this is correct but i did not take the time to reread the text.

 

In 5e the main difference was what passed then as combined attack was two or more fully bought attack powers while SWEEP used one power multiple times.

[Daltwisney]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

Two different powers + one target = Combined Attack

The same power multiple times + one target = Multiple Attack

The same or multiple powers + multiple targets = Multiple Attack

 

From the text of the example of Defender vs The Ultimates (6E2, p73), it appears that it is not possible to mix the two.

[name_tamer]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

My confusion is, it seems that fighting with two weapons is Multiple Attack.

 

Two-Weapon Fighting is the ability to use

the Combat Maneuver Multiple Attack (6E2 73)

with greater skill and accuracy than normal when

using two weapons (one in each hand).

 

(6E1 92)

 

To me, fighting with two weapons sounds like two powers + one target, which the text says is Combined Attack.

[Daltwisney]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

My confusion is, it seems that fighting with two weapons is Multiple Attack.

 

 

 

(6E1 92)

 

To me, fighting with two weapons sounds like two powers + one target, which the text says is Combined Attack.

 

(6E2, p 74) specifically excludes Combat and Martial Maneuvers from Combined Attacks. Using either will make it a Multiple Attack.

[name_tamer]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

(6E2' date=' p 74) specifically excludes Combat and Martial Maneuvers from Combined Attacks. Using either will make it a Multiple Attack.[/quote']

 

Example 1:

Sword in right hand.

Dagger in left hand.

 

Attack opponent A with sword (Strike).

Attack opponent B with dagger (Strike).

 

Not using martial arts, not using haymaker, etc.. Just striking with each.

 

Multiple attack or combined attack?

 

Example 2:

Pulson blaster in right hand.

Laser pistol in left hand.

 

Attack opponent A with pulson blaster (Strike).

Attack opponent B with laser pistol (Strike).

 

Not using martial arts, not using haymaker, etc. Just striking with each.

 

Multiple attack or combined attack?

 

Example 3:

 

For example, suppose a military robot in a

Science Fiction campaign has a pulson blaster

(Blast 8d6) built into its right hand and a laser

(RKA 2d6, Armor Piercing) built into its left. If

it fires each of them once against a single target,

that’s a Combined Attack, performed as a standard

Attack Action with +0 OCV, +0 DCV modifiers.

(6E2 74)

[name_tamer]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

Example 1:

Sword in right hand.

Dagger in left hand.

 

Attack opponent A with sword (Strike).

Attack opponent B with dagger (Strike).

 

Not using martial arts, not using haymaker, etc.. Just striking with each.

 

Multiple attack or combined attack?

 

Example 2:

Pulson blaster in right hand.

Laser pistol in left hand.

 

Attack opponent A with pulson blaster (Strike).

Attack opponent B with laser pistol (Strike).

 

Not using martial arts, not using haymaker, etc. Just striking with each.

 

Multiple attack or combined attack?

 

Yay for the "Similar threads" tool at the bottom of the page!! It appears that Steve has answered this question.

 

It looks to me from the linked thread like both of these are combined attack. But if I wanted to perform a (non-strike) combat or martial maneuver with either weapon, or attack more than one opponent, then I would have to use Multiple Attack (and two-weapon fighting would come into play).

[Hugh Neilson]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

Example 1:

Sword in right hand.

Dagger in left hand.

 

Attack opponent A with sword (Strike).

Attack opponent B with dagger (Strike).

 

Not using martial arts, not using haymaker, etc.. Just striking with each.

 

Multiple attack or combined attack?

 

Multiple attack. You are striking more than one target.

 

If you attacked either opponent with both sword and dagger, that would be a combined attack.

 

Example 2:

Pulson blaster in right hand.

Laser pistol in left hand.

 

Attack opponent A with pulson blaster (Strike).

Attack opponent B with laser pistol (Strike).

 

Not using martial arts, not using haymaker, etc. Just striking with each.

 

Multiple attack or combined attack?

 

Same as example 1.

 

Example 3:

 

(6E2 74)

 

The robot is attacking a single target with his two separate attack powers. Combined attack. If he fired the Pulson Blaster at target A and the Laser at target B, this would be a multiple attack.

 

Combined attack allows multiple different attack powers to be combined in a single attack against a single target. If you want to use the same attack power more than once, or attack more than one target, this is a multiple attack.

[Daltwisney]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

Yay for the "Similar threads" tool at the bottom of the page!! It appears that Steve has answered this question.

 

It looks to me from the linked thread like both of these are combined attack. But if I wanted to perform a (non-strike) combat or martial maneuver with either weapon, or attack more than one opponent, then I would have to use Multiple Attack (and two-weapon fighting would come into play).

 

Vewwwwwey Intewesting!

[name_tamer]

Re: Confused about Combined Attack

 

Thanks Hugh. I meant examples 1 and 2 to both be attacking the same opponent.

 

I think I understand now.