New shield idea

[drathe]

I think it's good the way it is now.

attacks and rolls

defends with

may roll 1 die to counter attack with his pointy shield, and rolls

dies.

The thing is: the chance of rolling more than needed is pretty low. After that, you only have a 50% chance of rolling a for each die you may roll. So that's half of a low chance. I think that's mild enough for a bonus to the shield. And 500g is a good price for that. You might want to change the roll for the pointy shield counter attack from to or even if you need slimmer odds, but I wouldn't let the enemy defend.
The mechanic is like this: attacks in melee, close combat, but the is cunning enough to employ his dangerously spiked shield, not only to ward off the attack, but thrust the shield into the attacker, causing a potential killing blow if (or or ) is rolled. You can't defend against a defense

Nice use of the new dice smilies. They're intended for posts just like this. Reading this thread inspired their addition to the forum.

[el_flesh]

To represent a dynamic fight with counters and defenses over several actions, Beernut made a simple rule: if you defend with double or more the required shields, you can make a counter-attack. And yes, if you roll double defense or more, you can counter the counter. Of course, it takes a good DM to describe the action.

Something to think about in terms of representing an epic fight...

[drathe]

To represent a dynamic fight with counters and defenses over several actions, Beernut made a simple rule: if you defend with double or more the required shields, you can make a counter-attack. And yes, if you roll double defense or more, you can counter the counter. Of course, it takes a good DM to describe the action.

Something to think about in terms of representing an epic fight...

I like that idea. It has a simplicity that fits well as an addition to HeroQuest.

An epic round could play out like this:

1. attacks rolling
2. , fully equipped, defends amazingly with
3. counter attacks with
4. defends counter attack and somehow pulls off
5. counters the barbarian's counter attack with
6. defends counter attack but only rolls and takes a hit.
7. Players wipe sweat from their palms and continue breathing.

[knightkrawler]

I do have to say, though, that the price is too high, in my opinion.
The regular shield only costs 125 gold, and allows defense against ranged attacks.

To make the spiked buckler really worth the price of 500 gold - as this seems to be Templar's goal -
let one white shield in the initial defense roll count double (not every white shield in the roll, but only one! - otherwise the buckler is way too powerful. I.e. using the spiked buckler you need x-1 to block x ).

Example:
attacks with
defends with

One of those is enough to block both
The second , in addition, can be used for the counter-attack, whichever way you want to play that out, then.

I think, this is worth 500 gold corresponding to the simple shield's 125.
And this is the version that can be taken into my houserules and armory.
Yay!

[Templar]

Go for it knightkrawler! though it fits less well with my house rules, so I'll have to keep pondering...

I like it. I do have to say, though, that the price is too high, in my opinion.
The regular shield only costs 125 gold, and allows defense against ranged attacks. After reading through the sjeng's scenario on how low the possibility to actually cause any damage during the hero's defense, I would have to say that a better price might be...let's say, around 275 or 300. That gives double plus some extra the price of a normal shield. That would more than cover the bonus ability to attack during a defense, but also takes into account the non-ability to defend against ranged attacks.

my

All right, how about this?
For every surplus rolled, the player inflicts an automatic hit on the enemy (instead of having to roll a battle dice). The monster can only defend using any it had in the attack roll.

This means that monsters whith a higher attack value is A) more difficult for you to roll additional against, and B) if you succeed, the monster has a higher chance of scoring a on the attack that might save it. Also no additional dice roll has to be made.

So rolls
with chainmail, helmet, and the spiked buckler defends with
immideately suffers one hit. However, since it rolled one while attacking, it is unharmed and will survive to the heroes turn.

Now, if a rolls
and defends and again rolls
Is stone dead.

[knightkrawler]

Now, that's a good rule. Also, worth 500 gold.

I like the mechanics as they are realistic. A monster attack with 3 skulls on 3 dice can be considered ruthless now without looking out for tactics and defense, so the hero can put the monster in its place by defending well. I like it.

Do you have enough dice, 4 to 6 for each player so that nobody can cheat?

[torilen]

Actually, I liked the original rule you had come up with. My issue with it was simply the
cost of the spiked shield.
This new rule looks like it would work well, also, though I think it would be harder to make
the spiked shield "special" using the old rule over the new rule. The new rule does cut back on
extraneous dice rolling, as well, which we all know leads to longer game play without greater
rewards of fun. (i.e. just drags it the hell out).

[Templar]

Now, that's a good rule. Also, worth 500 gold.

I like the mechanics as they are realistic. A monster attack with 3 skulls on 3 dice can be considered ruthless now without looking out for tactics and defense, so the hero can put the monster in its place by defending well. I like it.

Do you have enough dice, 4 to 6 for each player so that nobody can cheat?

I use normal dice as replacements if I need to. Though I'm thinking of buying some normal ones from that german website someone talked about...
And I find the mechanics appealing as the best defense against the shield is a godd attack value, rather than a good defense value. Pretty

Actually, I liked the original rule you had come up with. My issue with it was simply the
cost of the spiked shield.
This new rule looks like it would work well, also, though I think it would be harder to make
the spiked shield "special" using the old rule over the new rule. The new rule does cut back on
extraneous dice rolling, as well, which we all know leads to longer game play without greater
rewards of fun. (i.e. just drags it the hell out).

I see pros and cons with both mechanics. The thing is, I have a hard time seeing the buckler being used against arrows and such. It really is designed for close combat, and I don't think it is big enough for effective missile-blocking. This, of course brings the price down...but the thing about 500 gold is in conjuction with another idea I have, so maybe I can work around it..

Anyway, thanks to all who have commented on this thread, you have helped me a lot.

[el_flesh]

Here is a clip from SATURDAY NIGHT DUNGEON; Beernut narrarates the action:

Mardoux attax Zebs! 3 defense shields STILL gets 2 damage! On his next swing 2 def allows a counter attack, but Zebs 2 skulls are defended by Mardoux, CLANG!

Lord Boner is attacked, and he makes a full counterattak on the Ogre, slicing deep into its Quadriceps.

Georgeous narrowly avoids the horses legs while rolling his tiny armor covered body, and is so enraged, he counter attax our own cavalry man, cutting the horse from chest to crotch!

Now Korisu is attacked. His excellent defense lets him get what the DM calls a "4 spank-bottom counter" on the Orc foolish enough to try and harm him.

The following physical attack of the Mage misses entirely, allowing such a counter, that Zebs saves the day again, taking its head off.

When the Orc attacks Georgeous, he counters it – but he is still drunk from the party and his axe whips thru the air where the Orc’s arm was; a total miss.

he has managed to cut the arm off the Orc he initially missed. But they attack him again. This time, his counter on the second Orc gets him another arm! There are now two uni-arm Orcs!

his excellent defense allows a counter - it splits open the Fimir's belly, its guts coiling out onto the floor, along with some green Fimir *lemony goodness*. OK. Imagine the pain you feel when part of your upper interior ASS falls out. His bladder loses all control from the pain and lets go at the same time, and you slip in it.

We love the DMs grafic descriptions of battle ultra-violence; none of those are mine!
It really livens things up, especially the encounter #1!
There really is no sub for Beernut. His descriptions alone make the game worth playing!