What's the best new Combat task?

[jamesrbrown]

Sudden Attack has quickly become the new favourite Combat task in my roleplaying group, especially for those playing stealthy Elves. I believe it is the first time multiple bonus Success dice can be used for the same test in the game. It's quite a powerful option and I like how it simulates a sneak attack.

[BELERION]

Yop !
Usually I permit it if the caracter choose to "hide" (not allways possible & test required) instead of making a distance attack at the biguining of a fight...
It is quite rare in my games (I hav only one PC, a hobbit, who do it sometimes).
I hope I were clear enought : as you notice, english is not my nativ language.

[zedturtle]

Haven't seen much of the combat tasks, but for higher skill level heroes the Swift Strokes called shot has been popular.

[Yepesnopes]

I have not implemented yet any of the new combat task. On the paper they all look ok to me but Enhearten Comrades.

I kind of like that there is the option to remove the Weariness state from your comrades with an Inspire (or song) test and it gives this epic flavour to the game. Additionally, I see that for those who had concerns on the usefulness of armours in this game (I am not one of those), this is the task that solves the issue. At the same time, I find it too cheap, it seems to easy to me to get rid of the "Weary" status.

Have you tried it? What are you thoughts about it?

[Indur Dawndeath]

Haven't seen much of the combat tasks, but for higher skill level heroes the Swift Strokes called shot has been popular.

I agree, swift stroke is by far the most popular, since we have a warrior with 5ranks in sword and 1 mastery dice as well!
Sudden stroke has been used some times, but if you go by RAW, then it will only be available when players outnumber enemies.

[Blubbo Baggins]

Well, if we wanted to powergame (and who wants to do that?!), Swift Strokes is very good because:

If you hit, you've done extra damage, and hit a 2nd enemy. If you miss the next round, well, you didn't lose anything but are still ahead because of the extra damage done in the previous round (and the fact that you hit 2 enemies last round means you evened out to 1 per round). If you roll 5+ dice due to a combination of skill, virtues, battle dice, or mastery (not difficult), more often than not you will roll at least one 6, meaning you can pretty much only use Swift Strokes and always come out ahead.

Of course, the biggest risk you take here is rolling a an eye/fumbling, and getting a Called Shot done to you, which could be pretty bad in some cases.

One other ability, I forget what it's called, but it's only for wielding 2 handed weapons. You spend a Hope while in Defensive, you still get your attack, but all attacks against you have to roll the fate die twice and take the worse result. If you're going up against many foes or one big one, this is powerful. Yes it costs a Hope so it is limited, but wouldn't you rather spend a Hope to avoid getting hit at all, then feel like you have to spend Hope to avoid a wound?

[Indur Dawndeath]

2 major disadvantages, when using Called Shots are:
1) you are not guarantied a hit when you roll Gandalf, you need a 6'
2) If you roll a Sauron and miss it is a fumble. No parry!

So no matter how high your skill is, you still accept a risc when making a Called Shot.

Aditionally, Foul Reek is suddenly so much better...

[Yepesnopes]

The threat was about combat tasks.... :p

[Indur Dawndeath]

The threat was about combat tasks.... :p

Yes, sorry...