From: =Mark Abbott (abbott%dean.Berkeley.EDU@berkeley.edu)
Date: Wed 14 Jun 1989 - 09:56:33 EEST
We call the system RAR, for Repeat Attack Rate. Instead of the RQ SR, where attack timing is based on reach, this system uses speed. Each PC has a RAR based on his DEX; the higher the the DEX, the lower the RAR. Each weapon also has a RAR based on the speed with which the weapon can be weilded, again the faster the weapon, the lower the RAR. To find the RAR of using a weapon, the player adds the PC's RAR to the weapon RAR, much like figuring SR. As skill in a weapon increases, the RAR decreases, ie using it becomes quicker.
For example:
Broadsword % RAR
0-30% 10
31-65% 9
66-100% 8
101%+ 7
DEX RAR
0-9 3
10-15 2
16-19 1
20+ 0
So, a DEX 12 swordsman with 55% skill would have a RAR of 9+2=11. A DEX 17 swordsman with 75% skill would have a RAR of 8+1=9.
The net result: the speed of using a weapon (RAR) is determined from the PC's DEX, his skill, and which weapon he is using. The lower the RAR, the faster the PC will be. So far the mechanics are almost identical to normal RQ, but the numbers differ.
In melee, the PC's RAR is used to sort of set up a "round" which is individual for that PC. During that "round" he can do two actions, as long as both of the actions have RARS <= the length of the "round". So, the player decides which actions the PC would like to have available. Whichever action has the longest RAR, ie is the slowest, determines the overall RAR for that PC, ie the length of that PC's "round". To stop thinking in terms of rounds, let's call that the PC's cycle time.
Example, Ferghus uses broadsword and shield. His broadsword attack RAR is 9, shield parry RAR is 7. His cycle time will be 9, the slower of the two actions. If Ferghus wants to have the option of kicking, in case he doesn't need to parry, he needs to figure his RAR for kick. This turns out to be 8, shorter than the current length of his cycle so it fits in. So, sword 9, shield 7, kick 8. Ferghus may do any two of attack with sword, parry with shield, or kick, sometime within his cycle. If at the end of his cycle he has used only 1 action, the extra action is lost.
If Ferghus wants to add the option of doing a quick Search (Spot Hidden for you RQIIers) during the fight, he has to take into account its RAR which is 10. As this is slower than any of the others his cycle is slowed to 10. However, during those 10 seconds he can perform any two of attack with sword, parry with shield, kick, and Search.
So, each PC and NPC will have a cycle length dependent on which actions the N/PC wants to have available. Actions may be taken at any time within the cycle. A character may change which actions are available, and hence his RAR, at the end of a cycle only. Once a cycle is started, the character may only abort if he has used neither of his actions.
To actually run a melee, the GM counts through seconds. When a PC is ready to start a cycle, he declares which actions he would like available and the RAR. At any time during the cycle he may opt to use his declared actions. At the end of that cycle he is ready to declare again.
Movement is concurrent with combat. As the gm counts each second, each N/PC is moved his movement allowance for one second (3 for humans in RQIII). We allow characters to temporarily double their movement if they have a clear path but this takes one of their actions. IE, you can sprint to the fight but then you have to choose whether to parry or attack when you get there.
Mark
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