Immersive Ink

waysoftheearth wrote:

danhem wrote:Since Dieter is down, can Ulric get a clean shot at one of the creatures attacking him without risk of further injuring the angry fighter?

Yes.

waysoftheearth wrote:
FYI -- I'll have limited internet access this weekend, but I expect everything to be back to normal come Monday.

Valandil wrote:
Ways, I have a character concept in mind, but I wanted to ask you about some things first.

I want my char to be a fighter, a crossbowmen, pretty much like the famed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genoese_crossbowmengenoese crossbowmen mercenaries. The problem is that pretty much of what defines these soldiers is the fact that they carry that big ("pavise") shield on their backs, wich they mount on the ground to use it as cover while reloading, or they simply turn their backs at their adversaries while reloading, with their shields strapped on their backs, getting themselves some good cover. If it can't be done its allright, but just in case, is there any way to simulate this... maneuver... in-game? Some drawbacks that come to mind are: the weight of the shield, the akwardness that produces if the fighter gets caught in melee by surprise with his shield still on his back,etc.

Watcha think? Can it be done?

(I'm attaching one page of the awesome Crecy comic on this post, that shows and explains some stuff about these italian guys)


Attachments:

/attachment/download/69

waysoftheearth wrote:
That sounds like a fine idea Valandil.

You can "wear" a large shield strapped to your back so that it helps with your rear AC instead of front AC, and then turn around when you want to reload.

If you want a pavaise style shield which will stand up on its own, it will weigh and cost twice a regular heavy/steel shield. It would take a combat round to get it off (or put it on) your back.

Valandil wrote:
Great. I think I'll go with the second choice (shield on back), and save for a pavaise shield later.

Another question. While my character is on his back, does he get the benefit for high Dex? I'm thinking he doesnt, but I gotta ask [img]images/smiley/smiley.png[/img]. Also, as I'm thinking of playing it kind of a missile fighter only, would it be possible to make his prime requisite Dex instead of Str? (I know I could play a thief to get the bonus, but I like fighters) And/or, in case of leveling up, adding the aditional damage to ranged attacks instead of melee attacks?

Feel free to say no, you're the DM after all, I'm playing my crossbowmen anyway so... [img]images/smiley/grin.png[/img].

waysoftheearth wrote:

Valandil wrote:While my character is on his back, does he get the benefit for high Dex?

I assume you mean to ask while your PC is facing away from the enemy (i.e., his back turned to the enemy) does his dex bonus apply to AC?

Short answer; no. Your dexterity benefit (if any) to AC is applicable to your front AC, but not your rear AC. If you wear a shield on your back, then the shield benefit will apply to your rear AC.

Valandil wrote:Also, as I'm thinking of playing it kind of a missile fighter only, would it be possible to make his prime requisite Dex instead of Str? (I know I could play a thief to get the bonus, but I like fighters) And/or, in case of leveling up, adding the aditional damage to ranged attacks instead of melee attacks?

I don't have a problem working something out for you. The Archer, a fighter subclass for AD&D, appeared in The Dragon issue 45 (and also later in Best of Dragon, vol III). I'll back-port it for OD&D if you want to consider that as an option...

waysoftheearth wrote:
I've added the Marksman class to the Additional PC Classes thread, http://odd74.proboards.com/index.cgi?ac ... ge=1#74483here.

Valandil wrote:
I love the marksmen subclass, I'll take it!

waysoftheearth wrote:

Valandil wrote:I love the marksmen subclass, I'll take it!

Very good [img]images/smiley/smiley.png[/img]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The fate of the company hangs by a thread! A few unlucky rolls could be disastrous now.

I am a little surprised that you didn't elect to fall back and defend the narrow stair [img]images/smiley/shocked.png[/img]