Reflections on Holmesian initiative

[paleologos]

Even though Dex-based initiative also appeared in Metamorphosis Alpha, I often find myself turning back to the Dex-based suggestions for order of combat in Eldritch Wizardry (pg 5) and speculating how these might have influenced Holmes.

Tonight I noticed that adjusted Dexterity scores are grouped together in ranges of 5 points (10-14, 15-19, etc) and got to wondering whether this might be the basis for Holmes suggesting a roll of d6 to determine initiative if scores are within 1 or 2 points...

On another point, even though the table on pg 5 is for missile fire or spell casting on the first melee round, I note that characters with adjusted Dex scores of greater than 15 can get two attacks off in the first round.

This suggested a novel solution to the rule regarding number of attacks with light weapons (ie. the dagger) - namely that only characters with a Dex of 15 or greater can attack twice per round with the dagger. This would restrict the practice mostly to thieves, and in conjunction with variable weapon damage (2d4 for the dagger, 1d8 for the sword) would not render the dagger a choice for most fighters.

A tricky element of the rule regarding 2 attacks per round is determining when each attack would occur in the space of a combat round in the context of Dex-based initiative, so it makes sense to restrict the 2 attacks option to characters with sufficiently high Dex scores.

That way, the first attack could occur at the beginning of the combat round, and the second in the middle of the round - which would equally space out the attacks over the course of several rounds.

Alternatively, perhaps only characters with a Dex score of 17 or 18 would be able to take advantage of two attacks per round with the dagger, since the combat round is divided into eight parts in all (allowing attacks in the first and fifth parts of the combat round)

[Zenopus]

Met Alpha also has a initiative die roll for tied Dex scores (but not within 1 or 2 two points), but Holmes must've been familiar with the EW version as well. I've looked at the EW system a few times but am not overly familiar with it.

If using the "two blows"/round for daggers, I've suggested before (which I know you've seen) just having the player roll them both simultaneously when it's their turn, as determined by Dex. A strict reading of Holmes could actually support this as he doesn't indicate that you can attack any time other your "Dex" turn, or that the "two blows" occur at different times in the round. It also has the advantage of speeding the rounds up. I'd also limit the "two blows" to a single target in the same round, since there's no indication you can move in between. If using the variable damage you suggested, I'd go with 1 hit = 1d4; 2 hits = 1d8. This keeps the average weapon damage from the dagger closer to that of the sword.

One advantage of this system is that it makes the magic-user more effective when forced into combat.

zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2012/04/table-number-of-attacks-and-damage-per.html

[paleologos]

Great points, although I've got some additional thoughts...

IIRC, Gary mentions in B2 that hasted characters attack once at the beginning and once at the end of each round. I also keep coming back to the notion that 2 attacks with light weapons (dagger and handaxe, unless there are others I'm unaware of) has got to be linked to Dexterity somehow.

Just using a dagger shouldn't make you faster than anyone else - it should just provide faster characters with an opportunity to strike twice against slower characters. Hence, my newest approach to this infamous rule:

Characters attacking with light weapons who attack before their opponents, based on Dex scores, get a second attack at the end of the round as well. Characters who attack after their opponents do not get the extra attack.

This would lead to characters with high Dex scores favouring the dagger (namely thieves) which has interesting on ramifications on the flavour of the gameworld.

I agree with you that damage should be 1d3 for a single attack, and 1d6 if two hits are scored in the same round. If using variable weapon damage, then 1d4 and 2d4 works well.

There's no reason for a fighting man to favour the dagger, since a sword will always do 1-8 whereas a single attack with a dagger against faster opponents is a strong disincentive.