tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post3288629808953767288..comments2024-03-01T11:52:44.729-05:00Comments on Bat in the Attic: Delving into AD&D: Parrying and other combat options.Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-26722729762048828162013-02-18T17:26:36.598-05:002013-02-18T17:26:36.598-05:00I use a house ruled variation of HOLMES for parryi...I use a house ruled variation of HOLMES for parrying.<br /><br />With a suitable weapon,<br /><br />“A player may elect to have a character parry an opponent’s blow. He must announce that he is going to do so before the opponent strikes. The parry subtracts 3 from one designated opponent’s die roll.” <br /><br />The person parrying rolls d12 (instead of d20) to hit for his next attack (s). <br /> <br />“If defender is parrying or using a shield, and the opponent makes his to hit roll and gets exactly the number needed, the parrying weapon or defender’s shield may be SHATTERED, but no damage is inflicted. It takes one round to draw a new weapon, but one in the off-hand can be employed immediately.”<br /><br />this house rule makes even high level fighters dangeroous when on the defensive; mages - not so much, but they could could get lucky on a poorly armored opponent.Clovis Cithoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18208194219083373456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-29714838379877208612013-02-18T00:23:04.527-05:002013-02-18T00:23:04.527-05:00I didn't like that rule either, I replaced it ...I didn't like that rule either, I replaced it with something that gave the level of the defender as a penalty if I recall correctly? For low-level play giving a fixed penalty probably works just as well. However, given the nature of the D&D combat system, I could never figure out why you'd waste your attack to parry unless you're <b>really</b> low on hit points, so it's really only a cover for the "withdrawal" step in any case. So why not roll it into that one?Peter Fröhlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03688076015831464616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-43158927687409934742013-02-17T19:53:31.444-05:002013-02-17T19:53:31.444-05:00The parry rule where you give up your attack goes ...The parry rule where you give up your attack goes all the way back to Chainmail. It's a suckers choice. As a DM, I don't know if it's cheating to make the monster attack some other non-parrying PC as the PC who is parrying isn't a threat anymore.<br /> Hedgehobbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17606283586332210195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-83916273419052373492013-02-17T11:43:21.214-05:002013-02-17T11:43:21.214-05:00We used the free attack when breaking off (fleeing...We used the free attack when breaking off (fleeing) rule.<br />We would have used Parry, but I doubt anyone who could use it wanted to waste an attack for so little gain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-83448050384230199972013-02-17T10:09:01.488-05:002013-02-17T10:09:01.488-05:00Yeah that Parry rule sorta sucks. Probably why we...Yeah that Parry rule sorta sucks. Probably why we didn't use it. Running away never seems to work unless you're on a horse. Running just means dying tired.Gothridge Manorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11371740532802642972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-86713554241626342522013-02-17T09:18:44.090-05:002013-02-17T09:18:44.090-05:00It's rarely noticed, commented on, or (AFAIK) ...It's rarely noticed, commented on, or (AFAIK) used in play.<br /><br />I like how Parrying only works for ST 17+ characters, not so well at that, and that most monsters can't use it . . . they don't get a ST "to hit" bonus. It's like a strong fighter only option.Peter Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14246000382321978462noreply@blogger.com