Cheapshots
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Description
Various quick and dirty maneuvers.Mechanics
Variable based on sub-maneuver:
Footstomp (Rank 1) - Stomp on an opponent's foot to delay their attacks. Nosetweak (Rank 2) - Tweak an opponent's nose to distract them from defending. Templeshot (Rank 2) - Smack an opponent in the head to reduce the accuracy of their attacks. Kneebash (Rank 3) - Thwap an opponent's kneecap to knock them to their knees. Eyepoke (Rank 4) - Attempt to temporarily reduce your opponent's perception. Throatchop (Rank 4) - Attempt to temporarily mute your opponent. Swiftkick (Rank 5) - Embarrass your opponent into a blind rage.
Additional Information
Cheapshots, as the name implies, are various "cheap" maneuvers to allow one an advantage in combat. The cheap shot can be anything from tweaking an opponents nose to a swift chop to the throat to silence a spell caster. The most notable of the cheapshots are the "swiftkick" and "kneebash" maneuvers, though since these maneuvers are normally mastered by rogues through the Rogue Guild, the change to Ambushing since GemStone IV made the swiftkick portion of Cheapshots nearly obsolete, as both reduce an opponent's defensive stance. However, since Cheapshots can be utilized by Bards or can reduce the stance for an ally of a Cheapshots master, swiftkick is not completely forgotten by all users of this skill.
This maneuver takes into account the attacker's skill in ambushing. It also uses the same height system as the AMBUSH verb.
Characters that have trained to be unarmed specialists are not required to use a weapon with any cheapshot maneuver that would normally require one. These include templeshot, kneebash or throatchop.
Cheapshot maneuvers
The various maneuvers one learns through Cheapshots training are as follows: Footstomp, Nosetweak, Templeshot, Kneebash, Eyepoke, Throatchop, and Swiftkick.
Footstomp
Learned at rank 1 in the guild or rank 1 on the Combat Maneuvers List, this skill inflicts a target with roundtime, should the attack be successful. A successful attack will cause the victim to suffer up to 20 seconds of roundtime, depending on how successful the attacker is.
[Roll result: 162 (open d100: 94)] A Grimswarm orc archer raises her heel high, bringing it down solidly on your foot! You howl in pain, hopping around and clutching your foot! Roundtime: 10 sec.
Nosetweak
Learned at rank 10 in the Rogue Guild or rank 2 on the Combat Maneuvers List, this skill reduces the defensive strength of a target by 10, should the attack succeed. An empty hand is required to perform this skill. There is a bonus of 10 when the target is stunned, and 25 is added to the roll if the target is in offensive stance.
Templeshot
Learned at rank 20 in the Rogue Guild or rank 2 on the Combat Maneuvers List, this skill reduces the attack strength of a target by 10, should the attack succeed. A weapon is required to be in the attacker's hands to use this skill.
Kneebash
Learned at rank 30 in the Rogue Guild or rank 3 on the Combat Maneuvers List, this skill forces a target to its knees. In many cases, this skill is superior to Sweep due to the lower stamina cost and the fact that some targets that are immune to Sweep are vulnerable to Kneebash. Using a blackjack for this maneuver will add a bonus.
[Roll result: 160 (open d100: 92)] A human outlaw seizes an opening and brings the blunt end of his mace down on your knee! You crash to the ground, clutching your knee! Roundtime: 10 sec.
Eyepoke
Learned at rank 42 in the Rogue Guild or rank 4 on the Combat Maneuvers List, this combat maneuver reduces a target's defensive strength and attack strength by 15, making it superior to both Templeshot and Nosetweak combined.
[Roll result: 219 (open d100: 168)] A human bandit jabs his finger right at your eye! You scream in pain as a human bandit's finger penetrates your eye! The stinging pain in your eye subsides.
Throatchop
Learned at rank 54 in the Rogue Guild or rank 4 on the Combat Maneuvers List, this spell prevents a target from talking for a short period of time. This also prevents a caster from preparing a spell, though the short duration brings its usefulness into question.
Swiftkick
Learned at rank 63 (mastery) in the Rogue Guild or rank 5 on the Combat Maneuvers List, this skill forces an opponent into an offensive stance in a similar manner that Frenzy (216) does.
Guild Tasks
There are five different tasks that are assigned to a trainee in the Rogue Guild. Similar to the other guild skills, some tasks are performed inside the guild, some against critters, and some with other guild members.
- Sweeping the Guild
- Similar to other tasks, the rogue must sweep dirt from the guild's courtyard, using a broom and bag from the tool rack.
- Watering the Flowers
- The rogue must water flowers in several locations throughout the guild, using a watering can from the tool rack.
- Cleaning the Windows
- Similar to other tasks, the rogue must clean windows in several locations throughout the guild, using a rag from the tool rack.
- Critter Repetitions
- Similar to other tasks, the rogue must practice their latest cheapshot against a challenging creature.
- Partner Repetitions
- Similar to other tasks, the rogue must practice attacking or defending with their latest cheapshot against a fellow rogue guild member.