Bryn
2007-08-07, 12:11 PM
I'm sure it's been done. Many times, in all probability. Chances are, it's in a WotC book and I'm not aware of it. Still, I thought I'd have a go at my own rules for parries and ripostes for my upcoming swashbuckling campaign. And... yes, I have just been fencing, why do you ask? :smallamused:
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Z-Axis's Parry and Riposte Rules... Version 2
The Parry Action
As an immediate action, you may attempt to block an opponent's attack with your own weapon. After the opponent has rolled their attack roll, but before the result of the attack is known, you may declare an attempt to parry. Roll an attack at your highest attack bonus, taking a -4 penalty. If it is equal to or greater than your opponent's attack, you successfully parry the blow and it does not hit.
You take an additional -2 on the roll if your opponent's weapon is two-handed, and another -2 for each size category the opponent's weapon is larger than yours.
If you fight defensively, you gain a +2 bonus on your parry attempt. If you take the total defence action, you gain a +4 bonus on your parry attempt.
If you successfully parry an attack from a foe you threaten, the foe provokes an attack of opportunity that you can take as normal if you have any attacks of opportunity remaining.
You may not parry with a whip.
You may not parry if you are denied your dexterity bonus to armour class.
You may not parry an attack of opportunity that you have provoked.
Feat: Improved Parry
You are skilled at blocking your enemies' attacks, and you are able to hold them open so your allies also have a chance to attack.
Prerequisites:
Dex 13, Int 13, Combat Expertise.
Effect:
You no longer take a -4 penalty on parry attempts. In addition, a foe whose attack is parried by you provokes attacks of opportunity from everyone who threatens him.
Normal:
You take a -4 penalty on parry attempts. Nobody except the person who parried is able to take an attack of opportunity.
[hr]
Original version
Z-Axis's Rules for Parries and Ripostes
The Parry Action
If you are going to be hit by a melee attack from a light or one-handed weapon and you are yourself wielding a light or one-handed melee weapon, you may attempt to parry the blow. Roll a single melee attack; if it is equal to or greater than the attack roll that was going to hit you then this attack does not hit and you have successfully parried it.
An opponent whom you threaten that attacks and is parried by you provokes an attack of opportunity that you may take if you still have any attacks of opportunity remaining, as normal.
You may not parry with a whip.
Feat: Improved Parry
Effect
You gain a +4 bonus on rolls to parry an opponent. In addition, any allies who also threaten an opponent you parry may also take an attack of opportunity.
Normal
You do not get a bonus on rolls to rolls to parry. An opponent whose attack is parried only provokes an attack of opportunity from the person who parries.
In the original version of this, you took a penalty on rolls to parry, which would be negated by the feat. I was advised to change it to reflect most other 'improved' feats.
Should the feat have any prerequisites, such as Combat Expertise or Combat Reflexes? Also, should parrying be an immediate action?
Is there anything that should be added? Replaced? Removed? Rephrased? Modified? Adjusted? Otherwise changed? :smallbiggrin: Is it over/underpowered? Feedback and critique is very much appreciated.
[hr]
Z-Axis's Parry and Riposte Rules... Version 2
The Parry Action
As an immediate action, you may attempt to block an opponent's attack with your own weapon. After the opponent has rolled their attack roll, but before the result of the attack is known, you may declare an attempt to parry. Roll an attack at your highest attack bonus, taking a -4 penalty. If it is equal to or greater than your opponent's attack, you successfully parry the blow and it does not hit.
You take an additional -2 on the roll if your opponent's weapon is two-handed, and another -2 for each size category the opponent's weapon is larger than yours.
If you fight defensively, you gain a +2 bonus on your parry attempt. If you take the total defence action, you gain a +4 bonus on your parry attempt.
If you successfully parry an attack from a foe you threaten, the foe provokes an attack of opportunity that you can take as normal if you have any attacks of opportunity remaining.
You may not parry with a whip.
You may not parry if you are denied your dexterity bonus to armour class.
You may not parry an attack of opportunity that you have provoked.
Feat: Improved Parry
You are skilled at blocking your enemies' attacks, and you are able to hold them open so your allies also have a chance to attack.
Prerequisites:
Dex 13, Int 13, Combat Expertise.
Effect:
You no longer take a -4 penalty on parry attempts. In addition, a foe whose attack is parried by you provokes attacks of opportunity from everyone who threatens him.
Normal:
You take a -4 penalty on parry attempts. Nobody except the person who parried is able to take an attack of opportunity.
[hr]
Original version
Z-Axis's Rules for Parries and Ripostes
The Parry Action
If you are going to be hit by a melee attack from a light or one-handed weapon and you are yourself wielding a light or one-handed melee weapon, you may attempt to parry the blow. Roll a single melee attack; if it is equal to or greater than the attack roll that was going to hit you then this attack does not hit and you have successfully parried it.
An opponent whom you threaten that attacks and is parried by you provokes an attack of opportunity that you may take if you still have any attacks of opportunity remaining, as normal.
You may not parry with a whip.
Feat: Improved Parry
Effect
You gain a +4 bonus on rolls to parry an opponent. In addition, any allies who also threaten an opponent you parry may also take an attack of opportunity.
Normal
You do not get a bonus on rolls to rolls to parry. An opponent whose attack is parried only provokes an attack of opportunity from the person who parries.
In the original version of this, you took a penalty on rolls to parry, which would be negated by the feat. I was advised to change it to reflect most other 'improved' feats.
Should the feat have any prerequisites, such as Combat Expertise or Combat Reflexes? Also, should parrying be an immediate action?
Is there anything that should be added? Replaced? Removed? Rephrased? Modified? Adjusted? Otherwise changed? :smallbiggrin: Is it over/underpowered? Feedback and critique is very much appreciated.