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I would like to address the concern about leaving behind allies in an escape. I have two thoughts:

1. If it is the plan, all companions should be in position and make a roll to escape (with those in Rearward escaping automatically). Player-heroes who fail their rolls should seriously think about spending a point of Hope or a Fellowship point to succeed if possible, so as not to be left behind.

2. If one or two heroes are unfortunately left behind by themselves, they should try to escape again the next round or some of the player-heroes should return to the combat. In this case, the Loremaster could allow a ranged volley from returning heroes before they are re-engaged (but they would also be viable targets for ranged attacks by unengaged adversaries as well). I make this point because there is no rule stating that escaped player-heroes cannot return to combat if need be.

Thanks all for explaining it in detail and sharing your game experiences, especially corvo. I knew about the hound of Mirkwood-thing (not my favourite starting virtue for a woodman, I'd rather take fragrant weed, or what it was called) and read about the 1/3 rearward-stance ratio in the combat section; I thought I had gotten it wrong, because I misunderstood corvo's first answer.

I mean, in the end it was just some theory-crafting of mine (albeit with not too many ranks in Craft it seems) but now I can see and understand that escaping combat for a group is not as hard as I had assumed.
I really look forward to our first real session with a game engine that does seem very tight and sound and which seems to capture the spririt of Tolkien's world very well.

Maybe I will reconsider playing a melee focused hobbit (escaping combat is only one of his shortcomings). But we are a four man party and the ranged combat focussed role is already taken by another player. I think he should play the hobbit of the group, because the hobbit seems to be a very strong contender for first class marksman (Bow of the North Downs, Fair Shot). This is perhaps a little odd, but I like it.

jamesrbrown wrote:If one or two heroes are unfortunately left behind by themselves, they should try to escape again the next round or some of the player-heroes should return to the combat. In this case, the Loremaster could allow a ranged volley from returning heroes before they are re-engaged (but they would also be viable targets for ranged attacks by unengaged adversaries as well). I make this point because there is no rule stating that escaped player-heroes cannot return to combat if need be.

Interesting - I feel this point is touching one of my questions. If you fail to escape during your first attempt, are you allowed to try again in the next round? For the book says if you fail, you are not allowed to attack in the next round. I originally understood that as "lose your action for the next round", but this interpretation overshoots the mark, yes?

Tar-Palantir wrote:

jamesrbrown wrote:If one or two heroes are unfortunately left behind by themselves, they should try to escape again the next round or some of the player-heroes should return to the combat. In this case, the Loremaster could allow a ranged volley from returning heroes before they are re-engaged (but they would also be viable targets for ranged attacks by unengaged adversaries as well). I make this point because there is no rule stating that escaped player-heroes cannot return to combat if need be.

Interesting - I feel this point is touching one of my questions. If you fail to escape during your first attempt, are you allowed to try again in the next round? For the book says if you fail, you are not allowed to attack in the next round. I originally understood that as "lose your action for the next round", but this interpretation overshoots the mark, yes?

No, I think you're right. So it would have an every other round attempt. But James' point about allowing the other heroes to re-engage or do opening volleys might be appropriate. And, of course, using a Trait will guarantee you success on the first attempt in any case.

I allow players to try Escape combat every round. The wording is that you cannot attack.
I would also allow a persuade test to surrender or some other application of a comon skill, just not any attack action.

As for how successful the escape combat action has been in our game, I'd say that it is very difficult to get away!
After some failed attemps where all the players were close to getting killed, I decided that I'd allow cooperation. Meaning that a Great success allows for one hero to help another succeed. I only ask the players to explain how they help; like the Beorning player. I grab the Hobbit and sling him over my shoulder when I run...

Cheers

Indur Dawndeath wrote:I allow players to try Escape combat every round. The wording is that you cannot attack.
I would also allow a persuade test to surrender or some other application of a common skill, just not any attack action.

This is the way I understand it too. Failing an escape may cost an attack, but other actions may still be possible, including another attempt to escape.

Side Note: It would be prudent for any player-hero who plans on using Escape combat to choose a Defensive stance at the top of the round if he cannot choose Rearward. Since any hero who spent a previous round in Rearward can flee automatically at the top of the round, planning in advance for the next round is important in case of failure. If choosing Rearward is not possible, Defensive at least gives a hero a chance to ward off attacks (before or after he fails to escape, depending on initiative), including the possibility of using Protect companion if need be rather than Escape combat.

FWIW, Escape Combat has been extremely rarely used in my group. In the rare cases when they've had to all flee, they've been able to pull it off without great difficulty.