From: CX6L000 <CX6L@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA>
Subject: Re: GURPS: Paired Weapons?
Organization: McGill University
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 21:04:56 GMT

In article <1992Sep13.163456.920@ccsvax.sfasu.edu> z_copeab@ccsvax.sfasu.edu writes:
>In article <sqbqbjhs@cck.coventry.ac.uk>, gdg019@cch.coventry.ac.uk (Ridley McIntyre) writes:
>> Does anyone know any workable rules for Paired Weapons in GURPS, such as
>> a Samurai using a Katana and a Wakizashi? What happens when you use both
>> for an all-out attack?
>
> This is from memory, and comes from Swashbucklers and Fantasy (which
>came from Swashbucklers and Martial Arts...maybe), and the Basic Set:
>
> A character may wield two weapons at the same time. Parry with the
>off-hand weapon is -4 *after* all other modifiers.

No: *weapon skill* is at -4, but parry is either 1/2 or 2/3 skill
(depending on the weapon) and the parry is figured on the skill
*after* the -4 is applied to it. Ambidexterity negates this defensive
penalty, but not the -4 offensive penalty for attacking with more
than one weapon in a turn.

> The character may attack once with each weapon, and it is not
>considered an all-out attack. The weapon in the 'on' hand is at -4 to-hit, and
>the weapon in the 'off' hand is -8 to-hit.
> A character may buy off the off-hand penalty (-4), at a cost of 2
>character points per -1 removed. However, the character must choose a specific
>weapon (shortsword, bastardsword, large knife, etc.). Any training with one
>weapon does not transfer to another one with regards to lessening the penalty.

Don't ignore the Dual-Weapon Attack maneuver from Martial Arts: it
basically allows you to buy off the -4 for attacking with two
weapons in much the same way Off-Hand Training allows you to buy
off the -4 for the off hand, although the mechanic is subtly
different.

> Also, note that you loose the 2/3 skill parry with the katana if it is
>used one-handed (see Martial Arts, or Roleplayer 22).
> If an all-out attack is made, the character gains only *one* additional
>attack.

A few other noteworthy rules:

Full Coordination allows multiple attacks per turn, no questions
asked. Someone with Full Coordination/2 Attacks may attack twice
per turn: once with either of two attacks.

The Main-Gauche skill does not carry any defensive penalties when
used in the off hand, and probably best represents the effect you are
looking for.

Some more exotic weapon skills, such as Short-Staff and Tonfa also
have special rules when used in the off hand.

You may, in general, parry once with each ready weapon: subject to
the penalty above for the off hand. Fencing is a notable exception
to this, giving two parries: or any number on an All-Out Defense.

If the cinematic options of Multiple Attacks at High Skill, Multiple
Actions at High Speed and/or Combinations are used (see Supers and
Martial Arts for details), then the skillful/speedy character gets
a number of additional attacks and parries added to the base number
or has the option of such in certain circumstances. How these are
distributed between hands is between the GM and the player to
argue out.

Finally, the general rule for All-Out Attacks is *one* extra attack
on the multiple attacks option. The average guy gets one attack, so
this gives him two: so it *looks* like a doubling. But it is not
a doubling, it is just an additional attack. This goes for totally
unskilled types with a weapon in each hand, Fully Coordinated types,
and those with Off-Hand Training a/o Dual Weapon Attack.
On the other hand, All-Out Defense gives two blocks and two parries
to anyone with a weapon plus blocking device (Buckler, Cloak or
Shield), so it stands to reason that if you have another weapon
instead of a blocking device, this becomes two parries per ready
weapon. In fact, years ago Steve Jackson sort of confirmed this:
he said that Karate ignores the off hand penalty and allows one
to parry once per turn with either hand normally, twice per hand
(four times) on an All-Out Defense. This jibes well with what my
friends who do fencing, ninpo, sambo et al. tell me: it's easy to
stop combinations (multiple attacks) if you aren't trying to
return the compliment . . .

-From the Most Holy Keyboard of:
     Dr Manfred Kromm, Reverend of the Temple of the Squid God,
Professor of Quantum Parapsychology.
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc