Basilisks and called shots...or any enemy for that matter

[tomcat]

We haven't had to deal with this too much in our game, but a confrontation with basilisks has caused a conundrum.

Called Shots by monsters/bad guy...do they mirror player character called shots regarding dice results?

For a PC to do a Called Shot, they announce it before their attack and they must score at least 1 tengwar to achieve the special effect.

Is that the case for enemies, too? When they are able to perform a called shot, do they need to roll a tengwar or only achieve the TN to hit the PC? Do they still cause endurance loss if the called shot is not effective?

If the Called Shot does hit are the affects automatic?

A basilisk called shot results in a pierce and poison. Does a character get to make a protection test?

Does the protection test avert the pierce and the poison?

If no protection test allowed, or if failed - is this considered a double wounded status for the piercing attack and poison (which is a wound)?

Thanks for any help.

[zedturtle]

Called shots from adversaries follow the normal rules for called shots (excepting that they are prompted by the hero rolling an Eye or other scenario specific things). So bad guys need to get a tengwar in order for the called shot to hit, and if they don't get a tengwar it misses altogether.

A successful called shot produces a loss of Endurance and some other effect. A Piercing blow prompts a Protection test and is not an automatic Wound.

In the case of basilisks, I'd probably ask the player to make one Protection test and apply both effects on a failure. But a nicer LM might have them make two separate tests, one for each effect.

[tomcat]

Called shots from adversaries follow the normal rules for called shots (excepting that they are prompted by the hero rolling an Eye or other scenario specific things). So bad guys need to get a tengwar in order for the called shot to hit, and if they don't get a tengwar it misses altogether.

A successful called shot produces a loss of Endurance and some other effect. A Piercing blow prompts a Protection test and is not an automatic Wound.

In the case of basilisks, I'd probably ask the player to make one Protection test and apply both effects on a failure. But a nicer LM might have them make two separate tests, one for each effect.

Excellent! Thanks for the help!

[Dunkelbrink]

What Zed said, but I would add that the Poison effect happens without the hero getting a Protection test to avoid it (Called shot effects, pg 237). So if the basilisk hits with a CAlled shot, the hero is poisoned AND has to test Protection to avoid a wound, potentially falling unconscious right away.

[Indur Dawndeath]

What Zed said, but I would add that the Poison effect happens without the hero getting a Protection test to avoid it (Called shot effects, pg 237). So if the basilisk hits with a CAlled shot, the hero is poisoned AND has to test Protection to avoid a wound, potentially falling unconscious right away.

This is how I read it as well!
However, I have decided that the enemy can never be at a disadvantage in these situations, so if a weak opponent, who would need an Eye of Sauron to hit, is not forced to attempt a Called Shot, instead something unfortunate will happen, like the player is automatically hit by a ranged attack. This is also RAW, from tales of Wilderland.

[tomcat]

Okay...another question

How do monsters use Escape Combat? What is the TN?

Do you use TN 10 + their opponents Valour? Do you do an Opposed roll?

[Falenthal]

I use their Movement skill, against TN10+highest Body among the engaged characters, and follow the same requisites as for players.

But it's not in the rules, AFAIK.

[tomcat]

Great suggestion!

Thanks