Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

[frankthedm]

chances to hit are quite low

That depends on how one defines quite low, the system just severely rewards group tactics over "You take that foe, this one is mine" antics. I'd make the Comparison of Rainbow Six games rather than most '"Lets rock & roll!!!" style FPSs. 31% is the average human starting hit chance. Combat oriented careers can use the free advance at character creation to bring it to 36%.

Having one ally in combat with the same foe adds 10% to hit. Having two or more adds +20% instead.

Charging the foe or spending have your turn to Aim adds 10% to hit. Or if the risks are worth it, sacrificing the chance to parry or dodge by taking a single attack nets a +20% to hit {all out attack]

(and i think you can start with 2 attacks per round),

Some classes can, though since the player has to put effort into getting hit bonuses, buying up weapon skill or another stat is more of a viable choice than it first seems for the beginning character.

plus the defender gets various defence rolls (dodge or parry or both)

Parry OR dodge, not both for the same attack and not everything gets those options. Many do, but it is not automatic. You have to have certain [admittedly common] weapon combinations to parry or use up half you turn each round to take a parry stance.

 

[TheNovaLord]

so i was right on all 3 counts then?

and your added bits just added to my 'combat isnt that simple point' from earlier.

and not sure why you compare it to computer games either TBH.

john

 

[Sanzuo]

Guys, combat in this game is pretty damn simple. I can't think of a game off the top of my head that has rules that are more simple aside from stuff like Dread.

Any game can use tactics that make things more complicated. It all depends on the mind of the players. In my opinion things like taking cover, defending, flanking and so on are simple maneuvers and exist in all games, whatever the system. Stuff like this can make combat not drag at all.

My group tends towards one-handers and shields. But I think an interesting tactic would to have one tough guy with a shield run in first to engage the enemy and then have a great weapon guy move into flank doing all out attacks. Impact is a wonderful thing.

 

[Iron Sky]

Finally, missile weapons in WFRP are completely insane. You can't parry them, so there's often no defense against them. About the only issue is that you're dead meat if you end up in melee combat - you can't do the 5' step and attack like you can in 3e. Still, if you can hang back, you can demolish enemies with a high Ballistics Skill and a decent weapon.

I found it actually more scary to be a ranged attacker than a melee fighter with my last character (Vau, an elven hunter). Sure, you can hide behind cover, but that doesn't help you if the enemy hits you in the head three times in a row (like they did when Vau died).

Even though he had about 45% base chance to hit, a longbow, and quick load, I'd often find myself running into combat with my sword and shield anyway due to:

A) In melee, you at least have a chance to parry or dodge (and hopefully a fate point or two to re-roll one of those that fails).

B) Even at most ranged weapon's long ranges, most enemies are rarely more than 2 rounds from getting to you. If you roll really well, you might be able to drop one enemy in that time. If you have quick load, you might be able to do hit-and-run for a round or two, but then you're in melee anyway.

C) Ganging up. Even if you're in a fairly advantageous ranged scenario (close range, quick load, decent weapon, no ranged enemies), your allies are probably in combat getting ganged upon by whatever it is you're fighting. So, less bonuses for your allies, more bonuses for your enemies, and more focused damage for your enemies as well - and you're suffering penalties for firing into melee to boot!

I'm much happier with my Lau, my combat-nominal Demagogue (ex-Rogue) than I was with my "archer badass." Being the face is fun!

 

[Obryn]

Well, my vision may have been colored by having Halfling Fieldwarden sling-snipers in both WFRP games I've run!

They did as much damage as the rest of the party put together!

-O

 

[Hand of Evil]

The most dangerous player in my games is The Doctor, Max Gutstapler, he has killed more friends and foes than the rest of the party. And then there is the maining!

His current theory is mold and fungus helps the healing process and stops infections.

 

[Sanzuo]

The most dangerous player in my games is The Doctor, Max Gutstapler, he has killed more friends and foes than the rest of the party. And then there is the maining!

His current theory is mold and fungus helps the healing process and stops infections.

This is the greatest thing ever.

 

[thedungeondelver]

What is WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE-PLAY?

WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE-PLAY is the game where the players think they're playing DUNGEONS & DRAGONS but the game-master knows they're playing CALL OF CTHULHU!

 

[Emirikol]

We just started The Enemy Within campaign for WFRP2. Gm had run it in 1e and is doing a killer job of upating it to 2e! Of course that means we were all at 0 wounds after the first combat against the mutants...

Characters:
Mootlander Graverobber
Imperial halfling Cartographer
Middenlader Raconteur (me)
Grey Mtn Dwarf Shieldbreaker


There's also several games going on MAPTOOL freeware online if you're interested (forums.rptools.net)

jh

 

[FriarRosing]

My local game store has the 1st edition of the game for fifteen dollars. Should I buy it? Or should I shell out another 15 bucks for a copy of the second edition?