Defending against the Orc's Bane

[el_flesh]

If I were DM and asked to make a decision on HQ rule based game?? Well. I would allow ONE defense die on an Orc getting attacked a second time - his blade might get in the way or he might just manage to dodge. If you're hitting two Orcs in one turn, then each can defend.
But in principle I would allow reduced defense for any second attack on any character: representing armor (if they have it, add more), their weapon happening to move in your attack path, or else a moment of excellent battlefield clarity when attacked by multiple aggressors. The game is a slowed down representation of dynamic, chaotic fighting; nothing smooth or choreographed, and everything happening at once!

[SonandDad]

I must admit we do allow movement between the two attacks.

Attack 1 orc, if killed then roll to move (normal rules aplying here) then attack another orc, (special artifact rule applying). If the bearer is skilled enough to wield the weapon, then he must be a skilled swords-man. Check out any fantasy film to see skilled swordsman in action , particularly Lord of the Rings.

[sadkitchen]

When using the Orc's Bane we use the following rules. (We use the same rules with the heroic brew as well, just not with the orc restrictions)
-Attacks must be consecutive, with no moving in between.
-Attacks don't need to be against the same orc.
-Each Orc can only roll defense against a hero 1 time in the turn but black shields carry over to the second attack if not used in the first.

In essence you either get a 2 dice attack against 2 orcs or a 4 dice attack against 1 orc. (You get to pick after the roll of the first 2 dice if you are going to continue against the first orc or move onto the next.)

-SadKitchen

[torilen]

So - my thought covers two different house-rules, but oh well...I'm going to plop it in here anyway.
I would suggest this:
If a character or monster is defending against more than one target, he gets -1 defense dice for
each additional target over one attacker. So...if a monster is defending against three heroes,
it would get a -2 to its defense dice. Of course...a minimum of at least one defense die should
be rolled at all times.

SO - if a character is allowed two different attacks, and uses them both against the same
monsters, perhaps that monster would get a -1 to its defense dice? OR...maybe it only
gets a -1 on its second defense roll, since it might not know from the start that the
hero is going to make two attacks.

[Sjeng]

If a character or monster is defending against more than one target, he gets -1 defense dice for
each additional target over one attacker.

How does that work??? in my opinion, a monster always defends against 1 hero at a time. When a second hero attacks the same monster, then that is considered the next turn (next hero = next turn), so the monster has a fresh defence roll. (defense? I always forget). Would be unfair to give him -1 to me.

[ken]

If a character or monster is defending against more than one target, he gets -1 defense dice for
each additional target over one attacker.

How does that work??? in my opinion, a monster always defends against 1 hero at a time. When a second hero attacks the same monster, then that is considered the next turn (next hero = next turn), so the monster has a fresh defence roll. (defense? I always forget). Would be unfair to give him -1 to me.

I am with you on this, more power to the Monsters, Heroes can get too tough.

[torilen]

Well - realize that the rules for the monsters, almost always, are the same for the heroes. SO - if a hero is fighting
more than one monster at the same time, he would get a -1 for each additional monster. I like to use this idea
because of the goblins...they are so weak by themselves..but throw three or four against one hero and BAM!
He has -3 or -4 combat dice to his defense rolls (to a minimum of 1 defense die). When the heroes get powerful
later in the game - especially if you use some sort of advancement for the heroes - you can have them fighting
hordes of goblins and still beat the crap out of them, but it would be a little harder, that's all.

I mean...think about it. You have one goblin in front of you...one to your left, one to your right...one behind
you. Your going to have a hard time defending against all of them. I know, I know...HQ is not real life...but
I like to add a bit of reality here and there, where I can.

[Ethica]

The advantage the monsters have by surrounding you already exists, as they have 4 attacks per round Vs your 1 attack.

[cynthialee]

I dont mind allowing Heroes full dice grips to defend against targets infron and to the side of them. I just have an issue allowing a full grip roll when the Hero is being nuked from behind.

[ken]

Well - realize that the rules for the monsters, almost always, are the same for the heroes. SO - if a hero is fighting
more than one monster at the same time, he would get a -1 for each additional monster. I like to use this idea
because of the goblins...they are so weak by themselves..but throw three or four against one hero and BAM!
He has -3 or -4 combat dice to his defense rolls (to a minimum of 1 defense die). When the heroes get powerful
later in the game - especially if you use some sort of advancement for the heroes - you can have them fighting
hordes of goblins and still beat the crap out of them, but it would be a little harder, that's all.

I mean...think about it. You have one goblin in front of you...one to your left, one to your right...one behind
you. Your going to have a hard time defending against all of them. I know, I know...HQ is not real life...but
I like to add a bit of reality here and there, where I can.

Trouble is, monsters in UK rules have few Body Points, usually only one, so don't have much defence. Should we use White Shields for all participants Now, there's a thought