Hi, Silver: One thing about BRB, for as many GMs and players as there are, you will have as many interpretations and opinions of the rules . That’s what makes the system so strong, but it can also be frustrating for neophytes …LOL! As you posted in the Magic World (MW) thread, I’m going to answer from a MW perspective using the core rule book as my base. While in my opinion, it might be helpful to have MW's foundation Stormbringer 5th ed. to look for typos (you shouldn't have to worry about it now that the updated MW pdf. is out) and BRPs Big Gold Book is nice to have for ideas and modifications, I don't feel either are needed to play MW. I apologize to you, and the rest of you, for the length of my response, but for the sake of clarity, I’m doing my best to be thorough. To the experts, don’t hesitate to correct me where I’m wrong. I’d appreciate it. Dex-ranks - I had assumed this was initiative with highest dex going first. Yeppers, that is true (65). However, I see the actions on page 62 says some actions forfeit dex ranks. So I am confused as to what happens when. Could someone provide an example for two combatants moving up to each other and attacking? Because MW is less crunchy than other systems, it does not require exact measurements with miniatures, hexed battle/encounter mats/boards as some RPGs do. Logic, flexibility and fairness rule the day. I’ll outline an encounter below, but I’ll do it in first-person player rather than third-person character. Actions - p62 says that participants have enough time to complete at least one action. This is the norm. Does this mean they can perform more than one? There are situations wherein a player can perform more than one action, however, this is usually very specific and each action is separated by 5 DEX-ranks (67). Is there only one attack allowed per turn? Yes. This again is the norm. The only exception is a Riposte (63) and splitting an attack skill at 101% or higher into two separate attacks (68; left-hand column). I see that I can move and attack (within restrictions and a dex rank forfeit). Can I do a disengage, move 2, engage a new target, and attacking? Some sort of action in a round economy would be helpful. This how I would interpret the rules as I read them—the rest of you, don’t hesitate to chime in here and set me straight. No; you may not. If your player’s DEX is 17 and engaged [as in: that’s my enemy; I’m his foe; we’re locked, cocked and ready to rock], I can declare at the beginning of the round that I intend to disengage (62). To do so, I must make a successful Dodge skill (62). Dodges are free actions so no cost there. If my Dodge is successful, I have disengaged and I may “…move up to maximum movement by the end of the round…” , BUT, the disengagement IS my Action that round and is listed as such under “Actions In A Round”. Technically as a disengaged player, I may now Move during the round in which I am disengaged up to my “…maximum movement…” (which is 8). As I do so, time is eating up DEX-ranks. If I move half my allowable movement, which as a human would be 4, I must wait to attack someone next round. If I move only 2 (I have a DEX of 17), I forfeit 5 DEX-Ranks and my working DEX-rank is now 12. If I move 3-4, I forfeit 10 DEX-ranks reducing my working DEX-rank to 7 (62). If I decide to reengage in combat or someone engages me, I must work within these parameters. In all practicality, however, I’m going to be the low man on the DEX-rank totem pole and if no one has zeroed in on me, I may be unengaged the whole round as I bob and weave my way through the melee. A MOV of 8, is a crap-load of movement and the MW standard for humans. A unit of movement is “…several to ten meters…” (54). Those GMs who want an exact amount for each movement unit are encouraged to call a unit “…five meters…”, but the spirit of the ruling is that a unit is relative to circumstance, situation and GM discretion. So to answer your question according to how I interpret the rules, if I disengage from combat (my combat action) and move 2 (reducing my DEX-Rank by 5) I would not be able to engage a new target until the beginning of next round. Remember, you can only disengage if your are already engaged, nor can you reengage unless you’ve been engaged (wow). If at the beginning of the round I was Unengaged, however, I could move about, choose my target—if they hadn’t yet chosen me—and attack on my modified DEX-Rank. Drawing or picking up weapon says "his first attack or parry with the weapon comes five dex-ranks later, on the sixth elapsed. I searched the PDF for the word elapse, this is the only place that is used. Terminology from a different rule set? MW’s combat system is lifted directly from Stormbringer 5th edition (SB). The passage in SB reads, “….his first attack or parry with the weapon comes five dex-ranks later on the sixth elapsed” (112). It lacks the comma between “later” and “on”. What the passage in MW is trying to say is that five-ranks have elapsed and on the sixth, you may attack or parry. In the above example, with a DEX-Rank of 17, you’d attack or parry on 12. What follows below is a combat wherein I’ve tried to address most of your questions. Situation Two human adventurers are camping for the night on the portico of a ruined temple. It’s the pre-dawn morning watch and Player A is on guard. Player B is snoozing away nice and toasty having won both first watch privileges and Player A’s blanket for his bed in a dice-game earlier. Unbeknownst to the twain, they are being stalked by two human ruffians: Bandit C and Bandit D. Human MOV is 8. The GM rules that the bandits and their prey are far within the distance allowable for human movement so no adjustments to DEX-Ranks will need to be made in that regard—no rulers, battle boards, hex papers or miniatures needed. Nice, but not needed. Pre-combat Player A describes to the Chronicler (GM) that she is on the alert and moving cautiously around the fire and her sleeping companion. The GM makes a show of rolling dice behind the screen and confirms that she does exactly that although she’s a bit tired after the long watch. Near the end of her watch the GM describes that she thinks she hears something suspicious and asks her to make a Listen skill roll. She has a 75% Listen. She rolls a 14, a Special Success. The GM rolls his bandits’ Move Quietly skills in an Opposed Skills Roll test (49). Bandit C has a 60% and rolls a 10. Like Player A, he too has rolled a Special Success. A Special Success VS a Special Success results in a stand-off and Player A does not hear Bandit C. Bandit D, however, is not so lucky. He too has a 60% Move Quietly but rolls a 68 and blows his covert approach by stepping on a pebble that shoots out from under his sandal and skitters across the cobbles. The GM tells Player A that she is sure someone is out beyond the fire light. GM: “It almost sounds like someone threw a small stone across the porch from beyond the broken columns to your left. What do you do?” Player A: “I draw my sword and wake up Player B while watching the area, but this could be a detraction, so I’m on the alert for attack from another direction.” GM: “Hmmm…” The GM rolls against the Bandit’s INT in an Idea Roll to see if they pick up on the fact that their prey has been alerted by the errant stone. Being the one who made the noise, Bandit D rolls a 45 against INT x5 and realizing they’ve lost their Ambush surprise and rushes out of hiding. Bandit C, on the other hand, who didn’t make that noise must roll against INT x3 to realize the jig’s up. He fails his roll and is oblivious, so he’s a bit behind his fellow on the attack. “…okay. You draw your sword, but before you can wake Player B, a figure rushes you from behind the column you were watching. What is your DEX-Rank…?” Player A: “Can I at least call out to wake Player B?!” GM: “Sure.” Player A: “Player B! Fire! Foes! Awake!” The GM decides that Player B (PB) was sleeping lightly enough he wakes at PA’s call but must clear his bed roll. Bandit C, seeing his mate’s attack, leaves his hiding place to engage PB. NOW…at this point much depends on you as the GM—style, rules interp, circumstances and situation—to determine who is engaged and who is not. As a GM I would rule that Player A and Bandit D are for all intents and purposes “engaged in hand-to-hand combat” and Player B and Bandit C, while not yet engaged, soon will be—once B gets up. Even though I would normally deal with both Players and their perspective combats according to DEX-ranks, for the sake of this illustration, I’m going to deal with PA and BC first. GM: “PA what’s your DEX-rank, again?” PA: “16” GM: “Nice! You’ll go first [Bandit D has a 13 DEX-rank]. Do you want to anything special? Let’s hear your Statement.” PA: “How close is the approaching bandit?” GM: “Close enough that if you’re not careful you’ll lose your advantage; maybe four meters and closing on a run.” PA: “Well in that case, I’ll simply meet his attack with my own.” GM: “Good call, but I wanted to give you a chance to do something else if you wanted to…” PA: “Like what?!” GM: “Oh, well, I don’t know…kick sand in the bandit’s face… PA: “We’re on a marble flagged porch! GM: “…run away…” PA: “Fat chance! I’m not PB.” PB: “Hey, I resemble that statement!” GM: “…or use a ring of invisibility…” PA: “I don’t have a ring of invisibility!” GM: “Oh. Right. Bad, GM. Bad.” PA: “Like I said, I attack.” GM: “Okay, no magic items then. We enter the Action Phase. Roll your attack…” Combat follows as per normal and described on pages 62 through 67. Let’s deal with Player B now. GM: “Okay, PB, you awaken at PA’s cry.” PB: “I jump up and attack whoever is attacking me with my broadsw--” GM: “Hold on there, cowboy. That’s cool, but let’s do this by the numbers. What’s your DEX-rank?” PB: “Ha! 17!” GM: “Excellent, so let’s hear your Statement.” PB: “I’m going to get up, draw my sword and look for enemies. If there are none, I’ll help PA with her’s.” GM: “Any magic?” PB: “Nope. Let’s do this!” GM: “Okay, Speedy, but before you ‘do this’ you’ll need to make an Agility roll at DEX x3 to get clear of those cuddly warm blankies you cheated PA out of earlier without making a mess of things.” PB: “What!?” PA: “You cheated!? I knew it!” PB: “Oww…no I didn’t--! Come on, GM; I’m…” GM: “You roll it or I’ll rule it…” (one of my favorite sayings). PB: “Fine!” Dice chatters across the table. “Damn, a 52! I failed!” GM: “Well, while that’s not a good thing, and it’ll cost you a DEX-rank (17 minus 1: DEX-Rank 16), you didn’t Fumble, so you were able to clear the blankets with a bit of effort, but as you rise, before you can do anything else the enemy is upon you and you’re engaged. Action phase!” PB: “What?!” GM: “Yeppers. Clearing the extra blanket cost you precious nano-seconds and a foe with a sword in hand is nearly upon you [Bandit C has a 15 DEX-rank] PB: “Fine! I attack…” GM: “ ‘You gonna skin that smoke wagon, pilgrim…’ ?” PB: “What?” GM: “Are you going to draw your sword?” PB: “Well, I mean, I had it out. Laying beside me while I slept…” GM: “I let you have it out, ‘…laying beside…” you while you slept, but even you said in your statement of intent that you were going to ‘…draw [your] sword…’ so it must have been in a scabbard and you’re going to lose some more of that DEX advantage of yours drawing it out. It costs you five-DEX ranks to do draw that weapon. You’ll be able to attack on the next DEX-rank.” PB: “What was that, Willis?!” PA: “In other words as your DEX-Rank is 17, you lose 5 Ranks.” PA counts on her fingers backwards, “ …17, 16, 15, 14, and 13, for drawing your sword and you’ll be able to attack on DEX-Rank 12 [“…the sixth elapsed.”]. Oh wait, and minus one more for failing to disentangle yourself from the blanket you cheated to get, so that’s DEX-Rank 11. PB: “But that means the bad-guy has the drop on me!” PA: “That’s what you get for cheating at dice.” PB: “What? I didn’t cheat. Bad GM! Bad!” GM: “You’re lucky I don’t make you roll for it! You draw it, no problem, and good thing too because, as PA pointed our so nicely, your loss of 5 DEX-ranks allows your foe to attack first.” PB: “Can I disengage, instead of drawing my weapon?” PA: “Hey! You can’t leave me here to face two of these guys alone. You suck!” GM: “Sorry pard, but the time for declaring a disengagement was during the Statements phase. It’s Actions time. PB: “Okay, I draw my weapon and attempt to parry.” Combat follows as per normal and described on pages 62 through 67. Let’s pretend, however, that during the Statements Phase PB did declare he wanted to disengage from the round—his sheathed sword in hand. GM: “Sure, but that’s your action for the round. You’ll have to make a successful Dodge roll first.” PB: “Okay, I’ll do that. My Dodge is killer at 70%. 45! Bam!” GM: “So tell me how you disengage—sidestep, dive for cover, jump out of the way—and in which direction?” PB: “I’m going to dive dramatically into a shoulder roll to the left away from the fire and toward any cover I can find.” PA: “What a wuss. You’re a coward.” PB: “No, no; I have a plan!” PA: “Right. You’re a cheater and a chicken.” PB: "No I'm not!" GM: “So! You dodge out of the way, making your dramatic dive and roll. Make you’re Agility roll at DEXx4 rather than x5 (49, 50). PB: “I just made it with a 67!” GM: “You dive out of the way with a smooth shoulder roll, but even as you do, [GM rolls dice for effect] you catch the whistling sound of your opponent’s sword as it slices off a lock of hair.” PB: “What about my helmet?!” PA: “Oh my god.” PA covers her face with her hands. GM: “Really. You sleep with your helm on. PB: “Well…” GM: “Dude, if you did that, we’re backing this round up and you’re going to have to make a Luck roll at POWx1 to even hear her call, and as far as getting out of your ill-gotten blankets…” PB: “Okay, okay. Fine. I get it. I’ll get a hair cut later to even it out.” GM: “Excellent. You successfully disengage. You rise and…what? What do you do? Run, reengage, what?” PA: “Yeah, what? I want to hear your great ‘plan’.” PB: “Well, I draw my weapon, turn and survey the tableau.” GM: “’Tableu’ good word. Well, you see PA engaged in desperate combat with a ruffian of some sort armed with a long sword. You aren’t too sure about armor but you note that few outward plates are showing. It’s probably not heavy armor. Oh, and you see a similar attired foeman—the guy you dodged—sans a buckler, turning around for another go at you.” PB: “What!? I thought I just disengaged him?!” GM: “You did, but, he likes you and wants a place on your dance-card. He thinks you’re graceful.” PB: “But I disengaged!” GM: “You did, but that doesn’t mean the bad guys take a knee. You dodged, drew your sword and turned to survey the scene (the GM rules in his head that it took at least 2 units of Movement and some time) You’re basically still there. If you’re going to hang out, he’s going to try and engage you. Lucky thing too because he might have gone after PA if you’d disappeared.” PA: “Some plan.” GM: “So…?” PB: “Fine. When I know the dude is committed to coming for me, I’ll move further back into the shadows over toward that well we discovered earlier and engage him there. Maybe I can trick him into falling in the hole.” PA: “I hope you fall in.” GM: “Great. Off you go and [GM rolls] our hero, none-too-bright, follows you. You won’t be able to engage in combat until next round however.” PB: “Aww! But--!” GM: “PA, back to you.” PA: “About time. Can I get my blanket back?” GM: “When this is over…” And there you go! Clear as mud, right? LOL! Regardless, I hope some of it helps (I hope some of it's right! Really, though, I do play MW). I'm sure someone else will come and straighten me out. Cheers!
