On Mon, 24 May 2004, Dave Hill wrote:

> Looking at p.44 of the rules ("Defense" and "Fighting
> Defensively" in the sidebar), I'm a tad confused over the
> bonuses granted.
>
> If I choose to fight defensively with a combat skill, I
> can't do any damage to my attacker, but I get a +1 on my
> result.
>
> If I choose to do something else that's *totally*
> defensive, like acrobatics to roll out of the way, I still
> can't do any damage to my attacker, but I don't get any
> bonus.
>
> If I'm interpreting this correctly, I'm curious as to the
> reasoning behind it.

If you crave consistency, just make it a +1 all the time.
The lack of bonus is really there to address the defensive
use of skills that aren't originally combat-useful in
concept.

With the *combat skill* that you're choosing to use
defensively, you're giving up a portion of its function in
an exchange in order to work wholly defensively. The focus
gets you a +1.

With a noncombat skill, you're not, say, failing to make
use of its noncombat utility to act defensively. It's a
"foreigner" in the situation, so it doesn't get a bonus.
(Does this mean that a 'Dodge' skill may always operate at
a +1? Could be -- up to you!)

--
Fred Hicks * "Curse you iago and your fast fingers!" - Rob Donoghue
Co-Author of Fate - Managing Editor of Fudge Factor - The 'fan' in fanatic
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