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Disengaging rules

Posted: Fri May 07, 2021 3:00 am
by ltnielsen
Hi All,
We're just starting out our first wfrp 4e campaign. We did a small one-off session to test the system.

There are probably many things we still do not quite understand, which I'm sure will become increasingly apparent soon enough.

For now I would just like to ask about disengaging, though. More specifically the second option for disengaging mentioned in the rulebook. This is where you take an action to make an opposed Dodge/WS test. My question is, what happens if you fail this opposed test? It's clear from the rules that your opponent gets an advantage, but does he also get a free attack? I find the rules somewhat muddy (also on this point).

The text says:
Use Dodge: If you have lower or equal Advantage to your opponents or do not wish to spend your Advantage, you are pinned in place. If you wish to escape, you will need to use your Action to make an Opposed Dodge/Melee Test. If you succeed, you gain +1 Advantage, and can use your Move to go anywhere you wish using the normal rules. If you fail, each opponent defeating you gains +1 Advantage and makes it impossible for you to escape without a blow to your back.

Does this last part mean opponents immediately get a free attack if you fail your opposed dodge/WS test? Or does it just refer to the option below called 'Fleeing' where you use your movement to flee accepting a whack in the back. To me, it seems tough enough to spend your precious action failing a dodge test, and giving your opponent an advantage, without the additional attack.

I hope someone can help me clarify.

Thanks!

Re: Disengaging rules

Posted: Fri May 07, 2021 3:53 pm
by Shambler
I understood it to just refer to the fleeing option.

Re: Disengaging rules

Posted: Sat May 08, 2021 11:38 am
by FitFitNitMin
Yep, free attack when fleeing combat without successfully disengaging

Re: Disengaging rules

Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 1:27 am
by adambeyoncelowe
Yeah, it's about fleeing. Logically, if it 'makes it impossible for you to escape without a blow to your back', you can just not escape and therefore not take a free attack.

Re: Disengaging rules

Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 7:23 am
by Orin J.
To make it as clear as possible: if you have engaged in combat wish to be disengaged, you use a dodge roll against their melee. If you succeed you gain advantage and can move away, if you fail you are treated as Fleeing as per the flee rule following the disengaging rule if you move away. The rule does not preclude you from disengaging, it simply determines the result of your doing so.

side note, the disengaging rule uses "back away and fire a pistol" as an example of disengaging but you don't need to disengage for this as pistols can be used in melee combat per the pistol rule.