Ask the GM

[Saibankan]

Oh god XD Higher demographic of visual impairment and missing body parts among duellists it is then!

Only amongst loser duelists

[Moto Mitsuki]

Yet another batch of duel-related questions, specifically regarding critical strikes:

Does the TN 1 Fitness check to resist the critical strike [Core, page 270] benefit from the bonus of stances (notably Fire and Void)?

Can Opportunities kept on that check be used following the normal rules (notably... well, all rings have interesting opportunities there)?

Can the Shattering Parry [Core, page 270; a full reroll of all dice] rule be used in a tournament duel?

Does it require to spend a Void Point? Page 36 says so, but page 270 mentions a different restriction (once per session).

Also:

Can we simply concede the duel if we want to partake in it for fluff reasons or for the default 1 minimum Courtship Point, but don't want to deal with all these rules?

[Saibankan]

Yet another batch of duel-related questions, specifically regarding critical strikes:

1. Does the TN 1 Fitness check to resist the critical strike [Core, page 270] benefit from the bonus of stances (notably Fire and Void)?

2. Can Opportunities kept on that check be used following the normal rules (notably... well, all rings have interesting opportunities there)?

3. Can the Shattering Parry [Core, page 270; a full reroll of all dice] rule be used in a tournament duel?

4. Does it require to spend a Void Point? Page 36 says so, but page 270 mentions a different restriction (once per session).

Also:

5. Can we simply concede the duel if we want to partake in it for fluff reasons or for the default 1 minimum Courtship Point, but don't want to deal with all these rules?

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Yes, but please note that it requires the weapon be ready, and it does not prevent the critical strike, just gives you a chance to turn down the severity.

4. Yes, both restrictions apply (Can only do once per session, and you have to spend a void point to do it.)

5. Yes. However, This may hurt the ranking of the opponent you concede to. I would make sure that the player is ok with that, rather than springing it on them as a surprise.

[Moto Mitsuki]

More duel questions:

Are we considered to be wearing Common Clothes of Resistance 1 during the duel?

If so, correct me if I read this wrong:
These clothes reduce damages, and therefore the fatigue we take, from normal strikes by 1.
They do nothing against critical strike created through opportunities.
If we suffer a "Close Call" critical strike, the duel continues, but the clothes become Damaged, and they have no effect anymore.

[Suzume Senseki]

More duel questions:

Are we considered to be wearing Common Clothes of Resistance 1 during the duel?

If so, correct me if I read this wrong:
These clothes reduce damages, and therefore the fatigue we take, from normal strikes by 1.
They do nothing against critical strike created through opportunities.
If we suffer a "Close Call" critical strike, the duel continues, but the clothes become Damaged, and they have no effect anymore.

Question seconded!

[Moto Mitsuki]

Just to be sure:
The Prepare Item action allows you to ready a weapon in any grip of your choice, including a two-handed grip (for the very relevant +2 Deadliness bonus).
However, it is an action, so you cannot do it the same turn as you strike, unless you're in the Water Stance (thus making the Water Stance a good choice for the Predict Option)
On the other hand, Iaijutsu Cut kata allow you to ready your weapon and strike as a single action (with different rules for damages, each depending of the specific kata), but force a one-handed grip.
Switching from a one-handed grip to a two-handed grip still requires spending an action.

And the mandatory overly complex question this raises:
What happens if a character can execute a finishing blow (due to their opponent becoming compromised), but still hasn't unsheathe their weapon and have no way to do so as an attack action? The window of opportunity is lost?

[Saibankan]

Just to be sure:
The Prepare Item action allows you to ready a weapon in any grip of your choice, including a two-handed grip (for the very relevant +2 Deadliness bonus).
However, it is an action, so you cannot do it the same turn as you strike, unless you're in the Water Stance (thus making the Water Stance a good choice for the Predict Option)
On the other hand, Iaijutsu Cut kata allow you to ready your weapon and strike as a single action (with different rules for damages, each depending of the specific kata), but force a one-handed grip.
Switching from a one-handed grip to a two-handed grip still requires spending an action.

And the mandatory overly complex question this raises:
What happens if a character can execute a finishing blow (due to their opponent becoming compromised), but still hasn't unsheathe their weapon and have no way to do so as an attack action? The window of opportunity is lost?

Yep. The rules specifically state that your only opportunity is the first time an opponent becomes compromised or unmasks can you make a finishing blow. Even more challenging, Water can't even help you if you're weapon isn't ready to do a finishing blow, because finishing blow is actually an off-turn interruption that gives you an attack action. The Iaijutsu kata still work since those are Attack actions only.

So yeah, if someone just slams their self into compromised in the first round (by wagering all the strife they can to win init) you could miss out on an opportunity for the finishing blow. Course, now you're opponent is trying to generate 2 successes (or even 3 if you're in air) and 2 opportunities without any die with strife on it..soooo I don't think they're in a better place with this strategy.


Also, thematically, readying a weapon in the term of duels doesn't actually draw the weapon because it'll look weird if you draw your blade on round 1 and then go "Actually, I think I'd like to Predict this round with my sword out." XD You're just positioning your hand on the blade so you're ready to strike. You do still start duels with weapons unready though, so....it'll be interesting. Do you ready your weapon on the first round? Do you do something else like Predict and hope your opponent doesn't block you're going into water stance next round so you can draw and strike without an iaijutsu kata?

I recognize that Mitsuki's player does not like having this weird mini-game jammed into a system that has tried to streamline everywhere else, but I'm definitely interested in seeing how it plays out.

[Moto Mitsuki]

Another one. A timing issue, the great classic.

A character defends against damages, and their fatigue becomes greater than their endurance. As per the sidebar of page 268, they still manage to avoid a critical strike that time, though they become Incapacitated and unable to defend against damages (i.e. any further damage will automatically trigger a critical strike).

However, what happens if the attack that rendered them incapacitated also carried a critical strike, through the use of 2? I.e, are they already incapacitated when the critical is applied, which would mean an automatic knock-out as per the description of Incapacitated, page 273?

[Saibankan]

Another one. A timing issue, the great classic.

A character defends against damages, and their fatigue becomes greater than their endurance. As per the sidebar of page 268, they still manage to avoid a critical strike that time, though they become Incapacitated and unable to defend against damages (i.e. any further damage will automatically trigger a critical strike).

However, what happens if the attack that rendered them incapacitated also carried a critical strike, through the use of 2? I.e, are they already incapacitated when the critical is applied, which would mean an automatic knock-out as per the description of Incapacitated, page 273?

I would apply the critical strike first, then the damage. Gives more of a passing out from shock but can still be roused feel as opposed to a stay down vibe

[Moto Mitsuki]

Yeah, that would match the generic roll framework (opportunities are resolved before success).

However, that would also mean that armor can be damaged by the critical strike before damages are applied.