Effects of Reach in melee and brawl combat

[Dredwulf60]

except for certain skills and situations, typically the one with the longer reach will have an advantage in close combat.

(Those who are skilled enough to get inside the opponents reach may find that the advantage is now inverse of what it was.)


Reach:
A combination of arms reach and weapon length can impact relative combat. Add the arm reach and weapon length factors together and compare to the opponent’s total.

The greater number gets a +1D to attack and parry.
If the greater number is double the smaller number or more, the bonus is +2D.


Arm Ratings:
Tiny arms (ie jawa, ewok) 1
Small arms (ie Sullustan) 2
Standard arms (ie human) 3
Long arms (ie wookiee) 4
Extensive arms (ie abysinian) 5

Weapon ratings
Tiny weapon (ie vibro knife) 1
Short weapon (ie short sword) 2
Standard weapon (ie club) 3
Long wpn (Greatsword/ staff) 4
Extra long (Longspear) 5

Examples
Human (3) with a knife (1): reach: 4
Human(3) with a staff(4): reach 7
result: the human with the staff has a +1D6


Ewok (1) with a shortspear(4): reach5
Wookiee unarmed: (4): reach4
result: the ewok has a +1D6

Rodian (2) with a shortword(2): reach 4
Wookiee(4 with a greatsword: (4) reach8
result: the wookiee has a +2D6

[Naaman]

I always felt that the +10 difficulty for brawl vs melee was factoring in the reach.

This system, though, reduces the disparity and allows for some differentiation between weapons. I like when weapons have characteristics that make choosing them an actual decision... although I would like to see some kind of benefit to fighting with a smaller, more maneuverable weapon...

I don't necessarily mean that a dagger should have some advantage when wielded against a greatsword, but a longsword might.

Maybe MAP penalties could accumulate more quickly for bigger weapons? Or perhaps an initiative penalty...? Just some thoughts.

Good concept overall.

[garhkal]

I can see the initiative penalty for longer / bigger weapons.
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[Dredwulf60]

I do have a technique that players can use/master called Close Quarters Combat. It lets the character ignore the effects of Reach. In tight circumstances it can actually reverse the effect.

A guy with a dagger gets into grappling range with a guy with a longsword, then the guy with the dagger has the advantage.


Initiative adjustment for larger weapons is something I had not considered. I'll be taking a look at that concept.