5ER Intercepting Fist?

[GhostDancer]

Some martial arts, such as Jun Fan Gung Fu (Jeet Kun Do) and Bak Mai (White Eyebrows) Kung Fu are known for, among other things, an Intercepting Fist maneuver. How would you build this? Trigger or Damage Shield build costs run high, whereas 3 points for 2 Penalty Skill levels vs. Cover Maneuver may be low, given that the 4E Ninja Hero cost for Block/Strike, outlawed by UMA, is 3 points, -4 OCV, +0 DCV. What would your take be for a 150 pt. character?

[Bloodstone]

Re: 5ER Intercepting Fist?

 

Depends on what degree you want to take it to and what aspect of Intercepting you are looking at. Intercepting is often thought of in terms of a simultaneous block/strike, but there's more to it than that.

 

On the cheap, Lightning Reflexes/Held action will let you Intercept the opponent before he hits you. Grapple, Stun or Knock Down said opponent and his attack is effectively halted, with the actual "Intercepting Fist" SFX being left to the realm of colorful description.

[GhostDancer]

Re: 5ER Intercepting Fist?

 

Bloodstone, what do you think of Penalty Skill Levels vs. Cover Maneuver for Intercepting Fist?

[Bloodstone]

Re: 5ER Intercepting Fist?

 

Bloodstone' date=' what do you think of Penalty Skill Levels vs. Cover Maneuver for Intercepting Fist?[/quote']

 

The idea has merit, but is not strictly legal AND probably needs a GM willing to work with you.

 

PSL's can't be used to counteract penalties for using a specific Maneuver. They are only for reducing penalties that are outside the players control.

 

CSL's would be fine, possibly limited ones.

 

Then you have to get GM approval to make sure everyone understands the Cover Maneuver has been expanded past the more common threat of being shot or knife to the throat/gun to the head type situations...

[pinecone]

Re: 5ER Intercepting Fist?

 

Some martial arts' date=' such as Jun Fan Gung Fu (Jeet Kun Do) and Bak Mai (White Eyebrows) Kung Fu are known for, among other things, an Intercepting Fist maneuver. How would you build this? Trigger or Damage Shield build costs run high, whereas 3 points for 2 Penalty Skill levels vs. Cover Maneuver may be low, given that the 4E Ninja Hero cost for Block/Strike, outlawed by UMA, is 3 points, -4 OCV, +0 DCV. What would your take be for a 150 pt. character?[/quote']

 

Lightning reflexes, then "I hold till he attacks, then I Interupt!" Sounds like it could be funtional....

[Killer Shrike]

Re: 5ER Intercepting Fist?

 

There isn't a good "cheap" option, as its a pretty advantaging ability to be able to interrupt other peoples actions. There is no "Abort to attack" option. You either have to proactively hold an action and win a dex off or effectively "pend" an action with the Cover maneuver, or have a triggered ability which is reactive (and generally not inexpensive).

 

Basically, the HERO System makes it difficult for preemptive / reactive attacks. Some of the defined maneuvers suffer from this built in awkwardness, such as Grappling Block and Grappling Throw. Deflect / Reflect also struggles with this model.

 

To further complicate matters if you are covering, it is generally apparent to observers that you are poised for action. Thus the odd meta-construct seen occasionally of Invisible Power Effects for DEX, Only for Covering (typically set at a rather low -1), to "hide" the fact that you are covering.

 

Also, technically if you are holding an action you are supposed to declare what you are holding for; though in practice most GM's just allow a blank check / unspecified hold.

 

The triggered option is the easiest, most effortless way to legally enable such an ability, but you are going to have to pay a premium for the ease of use.