I thought I would revisit this topic. Yes, something akin to the standard
riposte mechanic might be implemented for marts, but that seems a lost
opportunity to me. I am thinking of something that will add flavor and
utility.
Why not create an unarmed parry "mastery" of sorts? It would check against
Marts, UA Parry, Ki and Controlled Motion with multiple possible outcomes (with
addition check for "special").
1.) Parry, fail mastery check: Block, not parry (force against force defense,
in effect giving up an opportunity to strike or parry to block).
2.) Parry, critical mastery fail: weak Block, partial damage to player (e.g.
You are out of position and slightly deflect Lenzi's attack)
3.) Parry, pass check: You successfully Parry Lenzi's attack and...
3a. jab your finger tips into Lenzi's pressure point (does dam like normal
attack, chance to interrupt skill/spell like water series, checks against vital
points/acupuncture)
3b. trap his limb and break his balance, leaving him vulnerable (low grade
stun for one round, checks against joint lock)
3c. setup perfectly for your next attack (negates parry attack speed penalty
for 1 round)
4.) Parry, mastery critical: You parry Lenzi's blow with effortless grace and
speed...and viciously (one of the following) smash your elbow into Lenzi's
temple/drive your knee into Lenzi's solar plexus (stun monsie) OR land a
devastating blow to Lenzi's trapped limb, crushing the nerve and causing a deep
bruise (monsie attack speed drops for X rounds).
The idea being that Monk's gain some ability to translate parry into damage,
but in a way that makes them appealing for parties since some of the effects of
a successful parry can help the party (i.e. reduction in monsie attack speed,
or stunning monsie).
Alternatively, keeping things simple: just code the ability for critical
unarmed parry outcomes that would grant anything from negation of attack speed
penalty, to low grade stun, to reduction in skill duration for monk skills.
Way less coding, same general idea.
I'm not sure where the balance lies for this. I know it is more complex than
standard riposte, but perhaps not as much as the huge depth of Sabre defensive
skills.
If you read all the way to the end...bless you.
Rowen wrote:
Its been a while since Monk guild was updated and I haven't posted >about this in a long time... I'd really love to see monks get a new >skill, something akin to the "riposte" skill for weapon holders. One >of the basic principles of martial arts is to block then attack while >your opponent is off balance or pausing from his attack. I mean, it >is already in game for weapon holders, I wouldn't think it would be >too much trouble to please code this for unarmed folks as well. >Would >it make things too unbalanced or something? I think the >improvements >to monk guild have been monumental and have given a >great depth to the >play, but I would really love to see this >implemented.
That said, Shinarae, thanks for all the great hard work you did on >the special skills in this guild, there are still secrets I'm finding >out...maybe thats because I suck, but that's besides the point! I'd >really love to see this put in to the game.