A Thought on Repetitive Combat

[maddman75]

Some games are better at some genres than others, D&D included. I agree with Mark, that D&D is more of a tactical and strategy based system, where the goal is to be the smarter combatant and find the right advantage to end the fight quickly. For the style that is described above, check out Exalted. Describing your character glaring menacingly for several seconds, sweat rolling from his brow, then leaping into the air and bringing your sword crashing down, crackling with energy into your foe, actually gets you bonuses to hit.

 

[The_Gneech]

I single out Anime because of the original posters mention of it and the subsequent debate. I actively dislike using anime tropes because they promote an extremely illogical combat system (At least, the anime I am intending. You know the sort.) that values obscene manouvers and shouting "Super-Mega-Dragon Cut!" before certain slashes. This can be exciting; it however doesn't fit into the standard fantasy genre. Conan, while his combat sequences are bloody and huge is rarely screaming out "BEEF BONE ATTACK!" or some such.

FWIW, the "yelling out maneuver names" bit comes from martial arts training, in which you actually do call out the name of the maneuver as you practice, to help you memorize it. (This is why it shows up in Asian films and such.) I figure warriors yelling out the names of the maneuvers in combat is something like piano players counting out the time as they play ... it's just a habit you get into, and in the heat of the moment you're too busy doing the technique to remind yourself, "Oh yeah, don't shout out the name this time."

-The Gneech

 

[Psion]

FWIW, the "yelling out maneuver names" bit comes from martial arts training, in which you actually do call out the name of the maneuver as you practice, to help you memorize it. (This is why it shows up in Asian films and such.) I figure warriors yelling out the names of the maneuvers in combat is something like piano players counting out the time as they play ... it's just a habit you get into, and in the heat of the moment you're too busy doing the technique to remind yourself, "Oh yeah, don't shout out the name this time."

FWIW, Slayers d20 has an interesting mechanic on this, from a magic standpoint. They have a variant magic system that involves rolls to cast spells. If you dramatically name the spell as you cast it, you get a +5 bonus (which, of course, has the drawback of announcing your spell to the enemy.) If you say an incantation (which takes longer), you get +10.

 

[Arrgh! Mark!]

Interestingly, I don't yell out "Lunge!" or "Incatata!" or even "grab the hilt!" when I do my swordfighting manouvers. I suppose I could.

But this is all to the good, anyway. I'm of the humble opinion that no-one worth their salt can speak fast enough to keep up with combat anyway, unless it's short and to the point. Hehehehe. Hehehehehe. Hehehehehehe.

Avoid anime conventions in a D+D game, unless it's low key.

 

[Alzrius]

What's the name of the PDF? I tried doing a search and couldn't find it.

I'd like to know this also.

 

[Yeoman]

I'd like to know this also.

As would I. It sounds interesting.

 

[Breakdaddy]

After reading only the first two posts in this thread I've determined that I REALLY DID damaeg braen and that it's prolly permanent.

 

[Darkness]

I'm of the humble opinion that no-one worth their salt can speak fast enough to keep up with combat anyway

Eddie Murphy.

Avoid anime conventions in a D+D game, unless it's low key.

Yeah. Instead, use things D&D provides you with - like the Manyshot feat.

 

[Arrgh! Mark!]

I never really got that feat. I mean.. really? I don't think any character has ever taken it in any of my games.

 

[Particle_Man]

It synergizes nicely with the True Strike spell.