Hi folks
Curious to get any feedback for the following possible House Rule for RM2/RMC please. Is it realistic and workable to you think?
Thank you
"Multiple Stab Attacks Using a Dagger
As a general rule, unless you are using something like a “Haste” spell (doubling your speed) or using one weapon in each hand, you can typically only get one attack with one melee weapon per a standard Rolemaster 10 second round.
This house rule is the one exception to that rule. Assume an attacker, armed with either a dagger, knife, shank or just something small, sharp and pointy, manages to either:
a) Surprise their chosen defender from behind and assuming they manage a successful grapple/hold maneuver to make several somewhat frenzied attacks on the victim.
These attacks could be literally stabbing in the back or reaching around with the knife/whatever and stabbing repeatedly in the stomach/chest.
OR
b) Approaches/closes and grapples/holds the defender from either the front or side and then makes several fast, uncontrolled attacks on the victim
OR
c) Pins the defender down on the ground/straddles them and again in a frenzy stabs them repletely
Sadly, there are a number of cases detailed on the internet showing rapid, frenzy knife/dagger attacks which involve the defender being held by the attacker who is able to attack in very rapid succession with multiple stabs in a matter of a few seconds.
What I am trying to replicate with this house rule are some of the savage scenes that we have seen in films and TV shows such as:
“Game of Thrones: The Red Wedding”
• mrpatty29, Published on Jun 3, 2013
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rgDvP39Lqw
• See the attack at 1:30
Such an attack, which takes place in one round, is handled as follows:
1. The attacker approaches the defender to within striking distance. This approach could be, potentially, one of the following:
a. Undetected/from behind/the side/invisible
b. As part of combat (ie a combatant armed only with a dagger against a foe with a spear. The person with the dagger would need to close the distance where they were right up next to their defender (and rendering the spear useless)
c. In a crowded room or street with the attacker managing to get up close to the victim
2. The attacker then attempts either;
a. A Grapple Attack on the defender (if they wish to inflict damage on them)
b. Or a Grappling without injury[/left]
- i. Use the Movement & Maneuver Table
ii. GM decides what stats are relevant for both attacker and defender, and how difficult the maneuver is
iii. The Attacker rolls, adds their bonuses, and look up the result (usually a number)
iv. The Defender then has to roll to break free, and the number is a negative mod to their roll (representing how well the attacker has grappled the defender) with the intent of holding them in such a way that they can at very close range stab the defender repeatedly and prevent the defender from breaking free.
c. This is 50% action of the attackers first attacking round.
d. If a grappling critical is scored, the defender is considered grappled and allows the attacker to use the remaining 50% of their action for multiple stabs unless the defender manages to break free or counter attack (see 3 below).
NOTE that this Grapple Attack may well include both a Surprise, Flank, Rear Flank or Rear bonuses (See AL.17)
3. If the Grapple critical result hasn’t incapacitated the defender (ie stunned etc), the defender a chance to perform an action to break free or counter attack. Options could include:
a. Martial Arts Sweep & Throw in response as the attacker is in a position to be flipped but at a penalty of at least -25 to OB
b. Martial Arts Strike or Grapple or Brawling but at a penalty of at least -25 to OB
c. Perhaps use an edged weapon they are still holding (see below) to try to cut the attacker (with at least -70 to OB).
d. The defender's skill at Melee Scuffle could counteract some of the defender bonuses
e. A Strength Maneuver to break free of either the Grapple Attack or Grappling without injury
- i. The Grappling without injury is described above
ii. The Grapple Attack would also require a roll on the Movement & Maneuver to give the defender a percentage chance of breaking free
4. If the defender scores a critical with their counter attack or the Defender is successful in trying to break free using the Strength Maneuver the grapple is considered broken with both the defender and Attacker have 50% of their actions for the round to use
5. If the defender doesn’t score a critical or break free they are still grappled. In the remaining 50% of the round the attacker can then make either;
a. three attacks at -40 to each attack
b. four attacks at -50 to each attack
c. five attacks at -60 to each attack
The attacker would get a +30 bonus for “Downed Foe” but not surprise
NOTE: Despite the benefit of getting multiple attacks in one round it is assumed that this style of attack would not be favored by a trained attacker or any character with a decent Ambush skill. Rather such an attacker would most likely use Ambush, as if they are halfway decent, they are more likely to inflict a killing blow.
NOTE: This type of attack is meant to simulate the frenzied attack that might come with either an unskilled attacker (ie attempting to stab quacking and as many times as possible). Certainly, some of these attacks are going to be ineffective (perhaps the victim manages to struggle, and attacks are missed, or hits the victim’s hands or the attackers blade glances off a rib due to the rapid attacking actions) but likely some will land where the attacker is hoping for.
NOTE: I can’t think of any other weapons which would realistically allow an attacker to be able to hold and then attack a victim; even with say a small ax/handaxe the attack needs at least a bit of reach/swing to make the axe effective.
NOTE: The only weapon that would realistically be able to counterattack such a close quarters attack would be another knife/dagger/shank.
If the victim was holding to a longer edged weapon, say a short sword or longsword, they may be able to struggle and attempt to use the edge to cut the attacker but at a -70 to OB"
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