Spikes/saved posts

Category: Hunting and Combat
Topic: Combat Maneuvers Discussion
Message #: 13979
Author: GS4-COASE
Date: 3/29/2010 10:15:57 PM
Subject: Re: Spikes = -10 cmans?

>This means you can receive a -20 penalty right off the bat using a shield Cman if both are spiked.

>Several people, myself included, have asked repeatedly that the single (and double) penalty be changed to something a little less absurd.

>No staff member commented that I can recall.

I responded then and I'll respond again -- that is not how the spiked penalty works, there is no double penalty for using a shield maneuver. Maneuvers that are compatible with spiked armor have one (1) associated armor location (head, arms, legs, torso, or shield).

If the active armor on that location is spiked then there is a -10 penalty to the maneuver roll in exchange for the chance for the spikes to flare. The reason that there is a -10 penalty is that spikes would be an essentially "free" damage otherwise. Spiked armor, given that it takes up no ability slots and can be added to any piece of armor -- no matter how heavily scripted or otherwise powerful, was designed to be an optional upgrade that requires the player (or item designer) to think about whether they wish to trade lower success rates for extra damage. It not just a straight upgrade.

Coase