“Backstab” question for Jason Lutes.
“When you use a hand weapon to attack a surprised or defenseless target, you can choose to deal your damage or roll +DEX: on a 10+, choose 2 from the list below; on a 7-9, choose 1…”
This implies that when you simply use a hand weapon, you can skip right to dealing damage before rolling anything.
Did you mean something like this?
When you Fight a surprised or defenseless target and are about to deal damage with a hand weapon, you can choose to deal your damage or roll +DEX: on a 10+, choose 2 from the list below; on a 7-9, choose 1…
What is he difference between Fight and Attack?
Fight is the actual name of the hand-to-hand combat move in FotF.
Nope, the wording of that move is intentional. The Thief can straight-up damage surprised or defenseless foes without having to roll, so they’re usually on the lookout for ways to create surprise or render foes defenseless.
Basically it gives you the hard choice: Do I take a chance at messing this up by rolling +DEX and getting some good options or do I take the damage die. My thief player ALWAYS chooses to take the chance and roll, and this makes me a happy Judge
Excellent, Jason Lutes. The way you describe it is how I’ve always played it, but last night one of my players questioned, “Are you sure???” I said I’d ask 🙂