Absorb/Dissipate as a Reaction Skill

[CRMcNeill]

Even though the RAW pretty much ignores the idea of Force skills being used for Reaction (apart from Lightsaber Combat), we do see Vader use Absorb/Dissipate as a reaction to blaster bolts in ESB. So what else can A/D do? Can someone with AD parry a lightsaber with their bare hands? If so, do they roll only against the lightsaber's 5D damage or against the combined Lightsaber and Control of the wielder?
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[ZzaphodD]

Regarding the Lightsaber parry case, roll against the full effective damage, ie Lightsaber Damage plus Control bonus.

Perhaps another way to do this is to make it possible to 'keep up' the force power.

Othewise, regarding Reaction force powers, one has to start with ones view of force powers. In the RAW force powers are almost like spells in fantasy games in the sense that the character need to plan in advance to use force powers. I always like the idea that the use of force powers should be more inituitive as the Jedi master them. Having a few levels of mastery (3-4) for force powers might solve this. The higher level of mastery, the more inituitive force use, where the highest level might let you use the power as a reaction skill.
_________________
My Biggest Beard Retard award goes to: The Admiral of course..

[CRMcNeill]

[Naaman]

Well, the D6 system really doesn't mechanically prohibit ANY skill from being a reaction skill. In our games, it's not far fetched to use blaster as a reaction skill (albeit at a significant penalty). "He's shooting at me? I shoot him first!" Okay, that's a little far fetched, but certain Force powers we just use as reactions:

Absorb/Dissipate and Telekinesis are the most obvious ones.

[CRMcNeill]

[garhkal]

Being it says you must be able to activate it before the shot lands i could easily see changing that wording a little, to you can do so after a shot lands, but before soak/damage is rolled.
_________________
Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Naaman]

I just see "before the shot lands" as meaning that you can either try to dodge or use the power. Failure of the control roll equals normal damage. Simple.

[cheshire]

The RAW do describe several skills as being reaction skills only. Given the nature of that section, it doesn't explicitly say which skills can not be used as a reaction, though it is only a matter of drawing the logical conclusion that if only a small set of defensive skills can be used as reactions, then no other skills can be.

I'm rather surprised to see you say what is "more D6-ish" then the rules, crmcneill. It seems to imply a subjectivity applied to what is D6, when you don't seem to much like that sort of subjectivity applied to cannon. Usually when you suggest rule changes you seem more apt to suggest that the new rule would better represent cannon, not D6. Note that this isn't a criticism, by any means, just an observation.

Though I understand the nature of why one would think that Vader used A/D Energy as a reaction, I don't think that's necessarily the case. True, the door opens, Han has a moment of surprise, and he draws his blaster and opens fire. Though Vader would by no means be surprised. He knows that Han and Chewie are coming into the room, he also knows that they're not the "come along quietly" sort of people. Vader's not a complete moron. Han is armed and at a distance. He'd be stupid not to have A/D Energy up for when the blasters start going, and/or lightsaber combat to deflect them.

I'm going to defend the notion of using only those skills explicitly labeled as reaction skills. Why? Nothing short of game balance. Though I can understand the use of the "draw my blaster and shoot 'em first," such a thing should probably only be used as a quick draw duel, where both people are trying to get to their blasters first.

When we get to Force powers, it only makes sense for them to be prepared before their use to keep Jedi from ruling the game. There is already a problem of trying to keep a balance between competent Jedi and non-Jedi in the game. Making the powers more accessible only widens that divide. A/D Energy seems like a likely candidate to be a reaction skill. I would think about giving that option to a character in very select instances.[/b]
_________________
__________________________________
Before we take any of this too seriously, just remember that in the middle episode a little rubber puppet moves a spaceship with his mind.

[ZzaphodD]

[CRMcNeill]

[garhkal]

[Bren]

[ZzaphodD]

[CRMcNeill]

[Bren]

I believe Z's "totally crazy" was in response to garhkal's proposal that failure to absorb/dissipate all the energy resulted in the Jedi not getting any STR resistance roll at all. Not to the original RAW for a/d.

According to the RAW absorb/dissipate energy is already either all or nothing. I wouldn't call that crazy, but then I wouldn't say I prefer that result either. It might be nice if even failure provided some advantage. And because I know that both C and G like tables, here is one. Maybe something like:

Success = no damage
Fail by 1-5 Roll damage vs. STR normally, maximum damage = wounded
Fail by 6-10 Roll damage vs. STR normally, maximum damage = incapacitated
Fail by 11-15 Roll damage vs. STR normally, maximum damage = mortally wounded
Fail by 16+ Roll damage vs. STR normally, maximum damage = dead