Combat System vs Dramatic Conflicts

[Rhishisikk]

Just putting this out there, don't bite my head off, I've only got the one, please go for tasty ankles or bloody wrists instead.

Does anyone else feel that the combat system isn't set up properly for 'dramatic solo combat', like a fencing match, or two martial artists facing off?  If I'm missing stuff in the combat rules, please point it out to me (with page reference, please) rather than just calling me stupid/ignorant/noob/etc.

[Toccata]

I do recall someone working on a Lightsaber Duel dramatic conflict at some point on the old (rickety) forum. I don't know how much progress was made on it, though. I just remember people tossing the idea around...

[Krensky]

Look at the Standoff rules I don't have a number for you since my books aren't with me.
Practice Makes Perfect covers a number of tricks to better simulate two martial artist (oriental or occidental) facing off.

[Ezram]

What is occidental?

[Toccata]

What is occidental?

It basically means "western." It's more or less a companion term to "oriental"

[Krensky]

Occidental

[Rhishisikk]

Standoff rules bite.  If I lose a standoff and take ANY action, I'm automatically reduced to -9 hit points?  I can see automatic hit or auto-crit, but auto-KO and dying?  I'll re-read them to make sure I'm recalling the rules correctly.

I can see Lightsaber Duel being a more elaborate version of Fencing Duel, with elements of Force Duel.

Mur.  I've just convinced myself that with all the interaction, the combat system is really the only way to handle such things, considering the number of combinations (like the 'duel' between the women in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).  

[Ezram]

Thanks, that's good to know  .

By the way, was it set at -9 to prevent instant death?

[Krensky]

The standoff rules replicate pistol duels well, and they cover sword duels in a, slightly, cinematic Japanese style even better. There's also an example in Signs & Portents 51 showing a stand off used to tie opponents who are about to kill off a team mate.

[Toccata]

With the -9, there's at least a couple of character options that could at least stabilize you, if not bring you back to positive (if you're lucky).

[Krensky]

I'd have to double check, but I think there's also a few options that help mitigate the -9 by canceling and sucking up damage. I may be wrong, however.

[Merxiless]

The standoff rules replicate pistol duels well, and they cover sword duels in a, slightly, cinematic Japanese style even better.

I agree.  This covers both Clint East wood westerns, and  writings by Miyamodo Musashi perfectly.

I'm all for it, as a rule. 

[Morgenstern]

Maybe I'll try to dig up my old Single Strike rules. They sort of neatly devoured all the dueling cards inthe L5R card game with a sort of neat mechanic. Less involved than a dramitic conflic, but more than a stand off.

[Krensky]

Looking at the book, taking he attack after you break only reduces a special charactor to -1, not -9.

[famine]

Also, remember that the martial artist's core can let you roll AD for wound points even when unconscious or dying, which would simulate the hero getting knocked down, but finding the inner will to get back up and finish the fight.