Protect Companion and attack

[fbnaulin]

It seems that Protect Companion task doesn't requiere a fighter to forfeit his attack in that turn, contrary to Intimidate Foe, Rally Comrades or Prepare Shot, where it is said explicitly ("forego his chance to make an attack roll") or implicity ("may spend an entire round preparing").

So, a hero in Defensive stance could attack and Protect Companion in the same round. Am I correct?

Thanks.

[Elmoth]

Yup. He can do both. He needs to spend a point of Hope to protect his companion, though.

[Sprigg]

That's how I've read it as well. It makes sense, really. You're already fighting in a protective manner (not necessarily just for your own benefit), and you're ready to throw yourself in front of an ally if they are in danger from enemy blades.

[Rich H]

They definitely still get to have an attack. Those protecting a companion in this way are spending Hope simply to step in the way of an attack. That's all the benefit they are getting; their companion avoids an attack due to their sacrifice.

[Glorelendil]

Still bugs me, according to RAW, that you spend the point before you know if the attack will hit.

[SirKicley]

Still bugs me, according to RAW, that you spend the point before you know if the attack will hit.

This brings up another point....


@ RICH:

I know you allow the "freebie" Hope Point to be used if/when defending the Fellowship Focus.


Which of the two ways mentioned above do you subscribe to? a_) Use HOPE before you know result of attack or b_) Use HOPE only if/when the attack hits?


My earlier comment I made in the other associated threat, I stated that I felt it would be too lucrative. I forgot that there's a difference of opinion on how/when to spend the HOPE point. I've been playing you spend HOPE only IF the attack is hit and negated. This combined w/ the "freebie" you afford a fellowship focus is what I saw as too lucrative.

I'm open to the idea that if I played it the other way (use HOPE regardless if attack by enemy hit or missed) that it isn't too much of a benefit to allow the Fellowship Focus a feebie return of the HOPE point. AND it would definitely support the intent of that flavor of having a Fellowship Focus - someone you would care about protecting.

Robert

[Rich H]

Hi Robert,

I usually let the players know that the attack is going to hit the original target but I've never yet told the player whose character is protecting said companion that they will defend against the attack successfully. I could see rare circumstances where that could be the case though - perhaps the companion is prone, an Orc stands over her about to deal a dangerous blow, and the other PC knows that if they step in and block the Orc's blow they will be successful. In other words, in the middle of a furious battle, where individuals are all moving and the environment is fluid I wouldn't be so clear with informing the player of success but in those instances/pause points in a melee I may be more inclined to.

[Cawdorthane]

Robert

As LM I generally require the decision to "Protect Companion" to be made before the attack roll in question. This creates a much greater sense of risk for the companion so placing themselves in danger and actually makes my players think twice before they do it. It is a potentially devastating tactic if used by a defence oriented companion on a Fellowship Focus companion in Forward Stance with a nasty big weapon and no shield and so I do not think the requirement to decide before you see the attack roll is too harsh. Some people posting in other related threads prefer the other way of the call being made after the adversary's attack roll, and that's certainly an open interpretation, but for my part I fear doing it this way might risk tempting a degree of metagaming...

cheers
Mark

[Elmoth]

If you already know if the attack hits or not, it removes 99% of the tensions. You can also decide to step in only if you know that your superior Defence will have you avoid the attack that would have hit your companion. I hate this kind of metagaming, so you ahve to put your bet on the table ad decide if you are gonna step in or not before the dice roll. Same as Cawdorthane.

[Rich H]

Just to clarify but some people here seem to be suggesting that as LMs they don't even tell the players whether the original attack will hit PC1 before PC2 decides to step in and attempt (they don't know if they'll successfully defend) to protect them. I don't think this is in keeping with Hope points being spent at all. The Hope point is being spent for Protect Companion in order to stop that companion from being hit. I think not telling the players whether the initial attack is going to be successful is really ignoring the usage of Hope points within the game - they should always provide some degree of mechanical success within the rules.