Counterstrike question

[scuba5150]

Wondering how others rule this: if someone has multiple attacks due to being very skilled with a weapon can they use those when making a counter strike or do you limit them to just a single attack?

[Fenway5]

The intent for counterstrike is as a single strike counter attack.

The skill bonus (+2,+3, etc.) with the weapon applies in the counter strike, but a defender does not get multiple counter strike attacks because of a high skill level.

Of course, if you want to experiment with allowing multiple counter strikes...feel free!

[scuba5150]

That's what I was thinking as well because it is really a defensive move - the bonus attack they get I see almost purely as an offensive move. Thanks.

[Deleted]

this makes me wonder. i have an early copy of the rules. the Sword and Fencing skills says that for every +2 bonus, the attacker can make 1 extra attack or parry. None of the other weapon skills mention parry. is this intended or a misprint?

[Deleted]

i was looking at the extra attacks like this:
at low skill level, you have the possibility of making 2 attacks per round: 1 normal attack and 1 counterstrike. so, if you were using a sword and had Sword +2, you had the possibility of making 3 attacks per round: normal attack1, normal attack2, and counterstrike

if a Sword +2 guy wanted, he could make one normal attack and 2 counterstrikes or 2 normal attacks and 1 counterstrike. he could also make 1 normal attack and 1 counterstrike. having an unused attack left-over, he would not have to forfeit his movement on the next round.

p.s. parry and counterstrike were interchangeable terms/actions in my thoughts.

[scuba5150]

I can understand what you mean about using the 3 attacks that way but I don't think I would rule like that. Only because I see the counter strike as a reaction to an attack - in "flavor text" it might be something where the defender saw some kind of opening based on what the attacker did: the orc swings his axe high as you barely duck in time and from a crouch you jab at his open flank before you get ready for your next move. That is more of how I see it.

That's not to say I couldn't see using it as you suggest also though: making 2 quick slashes underneath in retaliation while you get ready for the killing blow! Hmmm something more to ponder...

[Deleted]

i see counterstrike the way you do, also. it can only be performed after you've been attacked. you're taking advantage of the attacker's attack. i just think if you can parry twice due weapon skill, you should be able to counterstrike twice as well. i don't think those parries or counterstrikes have to be against the same attacker either.

Swords +2 guy is assailed by 2 foes. he can normal attack foe1, parry foe1, and parry foe2. that's how the HOW is written. hmmm, Sword +2 guy normal attacks foe1, parries foe2, and counterstrikes foe1...all in the same round. Hmm, that seems extraordinary! I almost back-pedaled on my view. However, Sword +2 guy got 2 licks in on foe1 and parried foe2. Same thing happens if he normal attacks foe1, normal attacks foe1, and parries foe2. 2 licks and a parry.

Hmm, 'Swordsman' wants to attacks foe1, parries foe2, counterstrikes foe3. GM says "NO!". Next time, 'Swordsman' will attack foe1, attack foe3, then parrying foe2. GM dies. 'Swordsman' gets XP. LOL

[Deleted]

i see the errors of my previous thoughts/words. 'Swordsman' fumbles blade and impales himself. GM laughs.

I would NOT allow
- normal attack, counterstrike, counterstrike
- parry, counterstrike, counterstrike

I WOULD allow:
- normal attack, parry, counterstrike
- normal attack, normal attack, parry
- normal attack, normal attack, counterstrike
- normal attack, parry, parry
- parry, parry, counterstrike

is this what you guys were thinking all along?

i am very thick sometimes. maybe i'm thick all the time and simply have yet to see it. this is why i like to discuss/debate/'argue' things out...so i can learn when and where i'm wrong. thanks for indulging and educating me!

[scuba5150]

You are too funny - love the play by play!

I like what you are suggesting - maybe ruling it depending on the situation, the character's skill set and how the player exploits it. I've always been of the mind that if the player can be heroic without being unreasonable then it makes for a great game/story.

[Deleted]

ok, but just to be clear, i am not suggesting an extra counterstrike anymore. i almost believe i was possessed by a demon or something in the post where i championed it. maybe i was on a sugar rush. 'Swordsman' decides to cut back on the fruity flavored potions.