From: CX6L@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA (CX6L)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: RE: GURPS: Combat Skills Reduction
Date: 15 Dec 92 21:01:21 GMT
Organization: McGill University

In article <1992Dec15.173814.8978@ncar.ucar.edu> urban@stout.atd.ucar.edu (Art Urban (PROFS)) writes:

>I noticed that there was only one gun skill; you simply took into account
>familiarity, and applied the appropriate modifier.

No. That's actually not true. Check out High-Tech for a clarification,
but the Basic Set says it too: each specialization is a separate Guns
skill. There's Guns(Pistol), Guns(Light Automatic), Guns(Rifle), Guns
(Shotgun), etc...Sure, they default to one-another, but there is a
whole lot more than just one skill. "Familiarity" is for different
makes of gun within one specialization grouping. You have something
like one "free" familiarity, plus one for each skill level above
12 (I think). An unfamiliar gun is used at a penalty. This handles
the difference between, say, a G-11, M-16 and AK-47, though, not
the difference between a SPAS 12, Colt M1911A1 and AK-47, which use
the Guns(Shotgun), Guns(Pistol) and Guns(Light Automatic) skills,
respectively.

>I was thinking of doing the same to all the various swords...

Well, you could allow Swords(Shortsword), Swords(Broadsword),
Swords(Fencing), etc...as separate skills, but that's just a
renaming of what's already out there. I suppose the Guns
example might justify a flat -4 default between various of
the Swords skills. But unifying *all* sword combat under a
single Swords skill, and treating different swords with the
familiarity rules? No way. Most swords differ *so* radically
in weight, balance and the proper guard position to be used
with them, not to mention handedness (one or two), that this
would cost in realism. A *lot*. I mean, a shortsword differs
from a no-dachi by at least as much (skill-wise) as a .38
revolver differs from a BAR!

> Swordsman: All varieties of swords are now treated as a simple
> familiarity. Perhaps this skill would need to made Physical Hard.

Yes, but this is not realistic. No one much trains with all
swords. I mean, getting the use of short-, broad- and bastard-
swords, cutlasses, scimitars, sabres, epees, smallswords,
two-handed swords, katanas, etc... with but a single skill?
This is an incredible and *very abusive* bargain for multiple-
weapon-using warriors; while it rips off characters whose
conception calls for the competant use of one type of sword
only, by charging them for a hard skill. Why would a lithe
ST 9 fencer even have a clue with what to do with a flamberge
he can barely lift? Why would a Roman soldier be good with
a katana just because he trained with a gladius? Owing to
the familiarity system, any half-skilled warrior would end up
being familiar with about 3 or 4 swords!
   This one fails the reality check, and also costs in both
play balance and in imagination when building characters.

-Kromm.

>Art Urban             urban@stout.atd.ucar.edu
>===============================================================================
> "Baby trapped in film, eats own hand."     - Joel
>===============================================================================