Scout Skirmish rationalization

[Demonic Spoon]

How can the Scout's Skirmish ability (specifically, the damage bonus) be rationalized from a "realism" perspective? What exactly is the scout doing that makes his arrows do more damage?

With sneak attack, this is pretty easy (stab the vitals). I have difficulty rationalizing skirmish, though. Last session I DMed, this led to weirdness in describing a party member being hit for a ton of damage.

[Dunditschia]

Moving around a lot allow the scout to get just the right angle with his arrow or sword, being able to hit vitals much like how a rogue is able to hit the vitals by catching his opponent unaware.
You could also fluff it as catching the opponent unaware and hitting vitals, just like a rogue does, but by movement. That isn't really supported by mechanics though, skirmish doesn't make the opponent lose dex to AC.

[IIzak]

The way I think of it is similar to how sneak attack dmg works, you found the weak point. Basically, as you move from place to place, you get to fire your arrows from a different perspective, a different spot on the battlefield, and you get to see different targets on your opponent. So essentially you're a precision shooter who uses movement to put themselves in a favorable position to take a shot or 5 at a weak point on their opponent, and then every time the opponent tries to defend that spot, they move and hit a different one. IDK thats just how I think of it, you can pretty much use whatever rationale you want.

[Darrin]

How can the Scout's Skirmish ability (specifically, the damage bonus) be rationalized from a "realism" perspective? What exactly is the scout doing that makes his arrows do more damage?


With a moving attacker, the defender isn't able to defend against as quickly against a less mobile attacker. A skilled skirmisher is more likely to attack from a direction the defender can't protect against, and is likely to hit areas with thinner defenses, such as side and back shots. Or the attacker is so agile he's able to move and attack before the defender can react or reposition his defenses.

[jedipilot24]

Moving around a lot allow the scout to get just the right angle with his arrow or sword, being able to hit vitals much like how a rogue is able to hit the vitals by catching his opponent unaware.
You could also fluff it as catching the opponent unaware and hitting vitals, just like a rogue does, but by movement. That isn't really supported by mechanics though, skirmish doesn't make the opponent lose dex to AC.

Picture the barrel-riding scene in the "Desolation of Smaug" movie. What Legolas and that Elf chick were doing was pretty much what a Scout or Swift Hunter does: move, attack, move again, attack again, etc.

[Twilightwyrm]

Think of it like this: you are moving to hit the weak point on a target (hence precision damage), quickly getting around their defenses, and striking vitals. However, as you are moving to do this, and this requires quick reactions and timing on your part, you aren't able to pick out vitals or be as precise with your shots as a rogue that waits for an opportunity when the opponent's defenses are actually compromised, then picks the perfect spot for an attack (hence Skirmish scaling more slowly than Sneak Attack).

[TheIronGolem]

"Hit Points are just an abstraction" comes to the rescue once again!

When you bear in mind that a hit that reduces HP isn't necessarily an actual "hit" in the game world, it becomes easier to see how something like Skirmish can work. The ability represents training/practice in a particular fighting style that leverages superior mobility to keep the enemy off-balance and force him to devote more attention to defending himself against your harrying attacks. Mind you, that's just one possible interpretation.

[ace rooster]

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq-uMIZGETs) is a how I see it. 1 min 30 in. 1.25 for the dodge bonus.

If you can't be bothered watching it, it is Achilles vs Boagrius from the film Troy. Achilles jumps around Boagrius to hit a vital spot.