Fighting a wight with a torch

[Rieno]

So one of my players was fighting a wight, rolled lore to understand that they are susceptible to fire and was fighting it with a sword for a bit before he switched to attacking it with a torch.

So, I wasn't sure... would he use his "sword" skill to attack with it? How would you determine if the thing catches on fire or not?

Thankfully it ran out of hate and fled first, but curious how to deal with this.

[Arkat]

Dagger seems to be the skill used for unconventional fighting. I would use that.

[Rich H]

Assuming you agree that fire works in such a way, then for such things, I personally wouldn't use it as a way of causing damage but as a way of reducing Hate in the target. For example, for each level of success obtained in the attack the target loses one point of Hate - ie, one point lost on an ordinary success, two points on a great success, and three points on an extraordinary success. Would probably use the Dagger weapon skill unless there was a reason to go with something else.

[doctheweasel]

I agree with Rich, but would make it a targeted Intimidate Foe and give it a small Hate-loss bonus for the fear of fire. I would say it lights on fire on a Gandalf result.

The goal isn't to damage the enemy but to scare them, so use the mechanic that does that.

[Majestic]

Of course most Wights probably have Fear of Fire, too, which means they'll lose one point of Hate at the end of the first round against someone wielding a torch (or other burning item).

[I realize this wasn't part of what the OP asked; just throwing it out there for the sake of completeness, for anyone who might not realize that part of it]

[jamesrbrown]

Because the Wight has the Fear of Fire special ability, I would only limit Hate loss to 1 point at the end of the first round of combat that the torch is wielded. After that, if the hero was swinging the flaming torch at the Wight to hit it, I would use the Dagger skill. A successful hit with the flame (exposure) causes 3 Endurance loss plus requires a Protection test at TN 12 to stop a wound (according to the chart on page 184 of the core rules). I can't find where the rules state how something catches on fire, but I would imagine a Loremaster could simply dictate those conditions upfront according to the flammability of the target. Some objects might catch fire right away on any exposure, others might require a great or extraordinary success, or even a Gandalf, as doctheweasel has suggested. If the Wight did catch fire from a torch flame, it would continue to suffer 3 damage and be required to make a TN 12 Protection test each round.

[Rich H]

I agree with Rich, but would make it a targeted Intimidate Foe and give it a small Hate-loss bonus for the fear of fire. I would say it lights on fire on a Gandalf result.

The goal isn't to damage the enemy but to scare them, so use the mechanic that does that.

I think that's a nice idea - use Intimidate but boost the result due to using the torch. Also means someone with a torch has to adopt a more aggressive Stance to take advantage of the rule which appeals to me.

[jamesrbrown]

I also like the idea of giving a Hate loss bonus when using Intimidate Foe while wielding a torch against a target with Fear of Fire (if the purpose is to frighten the creature). Or, instead of a bonus, just modify the TN of the Awe or Battle roll by a certain amount (by one or two levels or cut the adversary's Attribute level in half when figuring the TN). I think the torch should definitely give an advantage against such a creature when used that way.

[Corvo]

I simulated it as an Intimidate action, with the torch giving +1d6, like a battle advantage dice that renewed every round