This introduces a complete overhaul of melee combat beyond “I attack, I deal damage” and introduces options which all characters using melee can use. Because this alternate rule adds many new options for characters to use in combat, it’s not recommended for beginners to apply to their games due to the breadth of choices available in the midst of combat, which can cause less experienced players to freeze up. With these rules, remove Half-Sword Adept, Pommel Strike, and Death Stroke.
Each use for a weapon is separated into Techniques with separate bonuses and effect attached.
Universal
- Slice: This can be done with any slashing weapon. Deal damage regularly.
- Smash: This can be done with any bludgeoning weapon. Deal damage regularly.
- Stab: This can be done with any piercing weapon. Deal damage regularly.
Sword Techniques
- Precision: Decrease a sword’s damage by 1k0 to increase its Penetration by ½ Agility. This deals piercing damage.
- Pommel Strike: Decrease a sword’s damage by 1k0 to stagger an opponent for 1 round. This deals bludgeoning damage.
- Swift Slice: This is only usable with Finesse weapons that deal slashing damage. Deal half damage in order to attack twice.
- Beat: This is only usable with Rapiers and Estocs. Declare this instead of attacking. If you parry an attack made against you, your parry attempts receive a +1k1.
- Thrust: Move 1 square and attack as part of a single standard action. This deals piercing damage.
Polearm Techniques
- Push Back: Deal no damage with your polearm, but instead force an opponent to move back 1 square on a successful hit.
- Butt Strike: Use the butt of your polearm as a 2k1 bludgeoning weapon. It can be used on its own, or can be used as if it’s a Double weapon.
- Sweep: Deal no damage with your polearm, but instead trip an opponent.
Axe Techniques
- Hook: Deal no damage with your axe, but instead trip an opponent and drag them 1 square towards you.
- Butt Strike: Use the butt of your axe as a 2k1 bludgeoning weapon. It can be used on its own, or can be used as if it’s a Double weapon.
- Penetrating Slash: If your Penetration exceeds the amount of Deflection protecting the body part being hit, deal additional damage equal to the amount your Penetration exceeds the Deflection.
Hammer Techniques
- Armor Smasher: Deal no damage, but instead cause an opponent’s armor to break for the remainder of the combat upon striking it. If this strikes a body part not protected by armor or if the armor protecting it has been broken, deal +2k1 damage instead.
- Staggering Strike: On a successful hit deal -2k0 less damage and cause an opponent to become staggered.
Bow Techniques
- Dual Arrows: Make a single attack against two opponents, no two of which can be more than 2 squares apart. This attack is done at a -1k0, and deals damage as normal.
- Trick Shot: Choose a solid barrier within your bow’s range. You can bounce an arrow off the barrier, and count that barrier as your new point of origin for range and cover purposes.
Pistol Techniques
- Pistol Whip: Make a 2k1 bludgeoning melee attack.
- Point Blank: Shoot an enemy within 1/2 your range, and deal +1k1 damage.
- Hammer Trick: This is only usable on Revolvers. This change the Semi quality to Auto.
Rifle Techniques
- Rifle Butt: Make a 3k1 bludgeoning melee attack.
- Burst Fire: This is only usable on rifles with both Semi and Auto as options. Make three attacks, each deals half damage.
- Hastened Bolt: This is only usable on rifles with Single as an option and by characters with 6 Agility or more. This changes the Single quality to Semi.
Shotgun Techniques
- Dragon’s Breath: Your damage is changed to fire, and on a miss you deal half damage.
- Slug: Remove Scatter from your shotgun’s weapon property.
- Shotgun Butt: Make a 3k1 bludgeoning melee attack.