I really love the fact that I can seriously abuse characters in DW, without really worrying about whether or not I’m going too far.
Last session, Misha Polonsky, who played Cadeus the Fighter, rolled 3 misses in a combat, and the third time I decided to up the ante a little; the elite soldier he was fighting might have hit only the armor protection Cadeus’ wrist, but the bone just below the wrist snapped.
We discussed what it meant; the bone wasn’t splintered, so he asked if he could still use the hand. I told him yes, but he’d have to defy danger by enduring (+CON) because of the pain.
Yet, it never became a problem, because his spear wasn’t two-handed. Really just added flavor and suspense đ
By the way, the fight with that soldier was epic, Misha Polonsky, despite all the trouble he brought you.
Also Misha Polonsky, Cadeus was a totally bad ass character.Â
Fighting elite soldiers? No problem. Oh, Dunwich’s in danger? Throw my spear at the guy who’s about to kill him… I can take on the guy attacking me with my bare hands…
Oh, it was! I was actually going to bring up the fight as an example for #FighterWeek  and how playing an Elven Fighter with a spear for a signature weapon has been an interesting experience.
Aside from the fact that Cadeus ran into more opportunities to try and intimidate others instead of fight them (he had a 0 in CHA), while actually fighting, it seemed he utilized DEX more than STR. Sure, within range, he’d swing his sharp spear or poke at the other soldier; but, when he saw his Bard friend was in trouble, took the spear and threw it at the soldier – totally different move, totally different skill, totally different way of using the same weapon.
And I found that it made more sense in the fiction for my Elven Fighter, Cadeus, to throw spears and launch arrows with the Elven Bow he picked up rather than utilize his STR (which I did pick as his best stat) and fight up close.
In hindsight, maybe I should have gone with DEX? Then again, perhaps Cadeus is at a point now where he’s learning new ways to use the weapons he was taught to fight with in a more traditional (close combat) method.
Apologies for the tangent, Kasper Brohus — you do make a great point though. Multiple misses can (and should) stack up and serve to abuse the PC more.
It’s surprising how awesome fights can get in DW.
Joel Watkins Totally. I’ve yet to have a boring one.
Either they are long and exciting, or they are short and brutal. Usually the players are the one making it so for the opposition đ
“Never throw your spear. Once it leaves your hand you’re easy meat for any asshole with a sword who wanders by.” Imperial Guard sergeant addressing freshly raised militia, Glen Cook’s The Silver Spike.