Author Topic: Reverse Stroke  (Read 1674 times)

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Offline craggles

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Reverse Stroke
« on: November 19, 2017, 05:06:27 PM »
Page 101 of the School of Hard Knocks has the 'Reverse Stroke skill:
Quote
This skill provides a limit for applying one's melee OB against an opponent to one's flank or rear without turning or changing position.

Is this an extra strike as well as the one in front or do you have to choose between front or back each round?

Also, does this mean you can apply a parry to your attack on your rear?
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Offline jdale

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2017, 08:24:34 PM »
I take it as merely allowing an attack in an unexpected direction, not an additional attack. It would not make sense to have a skill for additional attacks that only worked in the more difficult direction, not in the usual one.

Parrying in RMSS/RMFRP depends on making an attack. If you make a melee attack, you can parry.
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Offline HawksNut

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2017, 11:31:42 AM »
I play this just as Jdale said. An attack in a direction other than your front and yes you can parry.

Offline craggles

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2017, 12:11:13 PM »
In that case, what penalties are there for turning around and dealing with the attack front on with your entire OB?
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Offline jdale

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2017, 05:37:26 PM »
I take reverse stroke as useful mainly when you are flanked. You could, for example, use a shield against a foe in front while using reverse stroke against a foe behind. That gives you some defense against both foes. You could also use reverse stroke if your foes are taking for granted that you will parry the one(s) in front, so the person behind you neglects to parry.

We've never used the formal RMSS round, though, so I can't say much about how it would work in practice.
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Offline Sable Wyvern

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2017, 02:04:43 AM »
It also enables you to keep your front towards a dangerous opponent, so they're not getting flank and rear bonuses, while dealing with pesky minions.

IMO, because it's only useful in such a narrow range of circumstances, it's almost certainly not worth the points as written. However, I've combined Combat Manoeuvres and Special Attacks into a single category and given it a Standard Progression, and I don't require that the skill be developed for each weapon category, so dedicated melee combatants can drop a few points into it and come out with a reasonable bonus.

Offline Hurin

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2017, 10:11:23 AM »
I had the same impression; it hardly seems worth the dp investment to me. But when i explained what it was to one of my players a few weeks ago, she said something like, 'Wow, that is great!' So maybe she will use it and show me how it can be useful.
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Offline Dragonking11

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2017, 11:43:24 AM »
I think that kind of skill is more useful when using a full tactical layout such as a battlemap with minis for example

It is easier to create situations when you have opponents on your flanks or rear by using such things. When facing a dangerous opponent, maybe you don't want to change your facing and expose your back to him. The Reverse Stroke skill is then a perfectly valid option to put pressure on the other (maybe weaker) opponents without weakening your stance against the stronger one

Offline Peter R

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2017, 01:59:04 AM »
It works well with adrenal move speed or haste where you can engage foes in front and behind at the same time.
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Offline craggles

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Re: Reverse Stroke
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2017, 01:26:53 PM »
Ah, thank you - lots of good tips  :)
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