Evade v Block v Defend?

[robertmarkbram]

What is the difference between Evade, Block and Defend?

The Game Manual doesn't explain this - fallen, can it please be updated to include these details?



And why do warhunds look so.. small? Cute little doggies!

[grävling]

Defend is what you should be using. I am not sure Block does anything right now (but waste AP). Very, very rarely you may want to Evade, for
instance if a battle starts and an Aegis Cannon is in range for blowing a big hole in your body. Otherwise the best defence is a good offence, every time, and for that you need all the AP you can get.

[robertmarkbram]

Jan 31, 2014 9:40:58 GMT -5 grävling said:

Defend is what you should be using. I am not sure Block does anything right now (but waste AP). Very, very rarely you may want to Evade, for
instance if a battle starts and an Aegis Cannon is in range for blowing a big hole in your body. Otherwise the best defence is a good offence, every time, and for that you need all the AP you can get.

That truly highlights lack of documentation explaining these clearly.

[fallen]

Evade increases your defensive score (chance to be missed) and also increases your soak a small amount (damage reduction). This is basically trying to get out of the way.
Block increases your soak more substantially (damage reduction). This is better if you believe you are going to be hit by the attack and are trying to reduce the damage.

[grävling]

Jan 31, 2014 11:26:42 GMT -5 fallen said:

Evade increases your defensive score (chance to be missed) and also increases your soak a small amount (damage reduction). This is basically trying to get out of the way.
Cover increases your soak more substantially (damage reduction). This is better if you believe you are going to be hit by the attack and are trying to reduce the damage.

Cover == Block for those rifle users?

I may have got this exactly backwards.

The reduce-damage-because-I-am-being-nailed button I find useful, rarely. The less-chance-of-being-hit one, never.

Could the buttons read 'evade' and 'reduce damage'? (with reduce one word over the other word damage) instead?

[fallen]

Sorry, updated the text above to match the labels Evade & Block.

[grävling]

and I editited the text while you were updating ...

[robertmarkbram]

Jan 31, 2014 11:26:42 GMT -5 fallen said:

Evade increases your defensive score (chance to be missed) and also increases your soak a small amount (damage reduction). This is basically trying to get out of the way.
Block increases your soak more substantially (damage reduction). This is better if you believe you are going to be hit by the attack and are trying to reduce the damage.

If evade is "trying to get out of the way" and block is "be hit, but reduce damage", what is defend then? :/

[fallen]

robertmarkbram - Defend spends 0 AP and uses your combat stats without modification. Note that Evade and Block provide bonuses that are used repetitively if you are attack multiple times.

[robertmarkbram]

Jan 31, 2014 16:53:46 GMT -5 fallen said:

robertmarkbram - Defend spends 0 AP and uses your combat stats without modification. Note that Evade and Block provide bonuses that are used repetitively if you are attack multiple times.

Ok, this is interesting.

1. Re: "Evade and Block provide bonuses that are used repetitively if you are attack multiple times", how long do these bonuses apply? Just for that round (meaning they only apply to this single attack plus any others that come from your opponent's speed stat with that weapon)? If longer, do they stack if you have enough AP to block and defend?
2. in terms of describing the physical action implied though, what does defend mean you are doing? Evade = "trying to get out of the way"; block = "be hit, but reduce damage"; defend = "just stand there smiling?"

[fallen]

1. for any additional attacks made based on the enemy's speed stat.
2. sounds about right. It all depends on how you want to visualize your characters' actions. The question is - are they spending valuable motion and energy in the combat turn to defend themselves, or are they using low-cost alternatives (duck a little, turn to the side in a dueler's stance, smiling nicely) to try to do what they can to avoid the shot. In a melee that's trying to defend yourself with options that don't throw you off balance or keep you from attacking back on your turn.

[grävling]

Jan 31, 2014 17:50:16 GMT -5 fallen said:

1. for any additional attacks made based on the enemy's speed stat.
2. sounds about right. It all depends on how you want to visualize your characters' actions. The question is - are they spending valuable motion and energy in the combat turn to defend themselves, or are they using low-cost alternatives (duck a little, turn to the side in a dueler's stance, smiling nicely) to try to do what they can to avoid the shot. In a melee that's trying to defend yourself with options that don't throw you off balance or keep you from attacking back on your turn.

So what is 'Cover'? And why should you ever use that?

[fallen]

Cover is Block for Ranged attack.

[robertmarkbram]

Jan 31, 2014 17:50:16 GMT -5 fallen said:

1. for any additional attacks made based on the enemy's speed stat.
2. sounds about right. It all depends on how you want to visualize your characters' actions. The question is - are they spending valuable motion and energy in the combat turn to defend themselves, or are they using low-cost alternatives (duck a little, turn to the side in a dueler's stance, smiling nicely) to try to do what they can to avoid the shot. In a melee that's trying to defend yourself with options that don't throw you off balance or keep you from attacking back on your turn.

OK, I think I understand this now.

Can this also please be added to the manual?

One other point regarding "it all depends on how you want to visualize your characters' actions": our visualisation begins with the label you give the action. "Defend" is very much a verb: it doesn't communicate "do nothing". In terms of melee combat, I regard the words "defend" and "block" as having similar meanings - I might defend against your attack by blocking. I wouldn't defend against your attack by doing nothing. If I was Simon the Likeable, a smile might be considered defence, but that implies enormous charisma. (Notice my smile there!)

[fallen]

robertmarkbram - in that case, the difference is shown primarily through the "(X AP)" cost indicators. They are all 3 types of defense - it just matters how much energy, movement, and off-balance you want your character to go in order to block the attack or dodge the bullet.