Page 156 - World of Darkness

Close Combat character’s Defense, a trait equal to the lowest of his Dex-
terity or Wits. Your character’s Defense is subtracted from
Factors an attacker’s dice pool. In essence, your character bobs
and weaves to avoid the blow.
This automatic Defense does not normally apply
The basic combat system is easy, with the simple stages
discussed previously. Any complication comes from de- against Firearms attacks. (See p. 164 for how they may be
termining the factors that increase or decrease the dice in avoided.) The only instance in which Defense does apply
your pool. That might mean the weapon wielded, the type against Firearms-based attacks is when the attacker shoots
of armor worn or, say, the likelihood of hitting a target within close-combat range; within a yard or two of the
underwater. What follows is an address of the various miti- target. (See “Firearms and Close Combat,” p. 162, for more
gating circumstances that can arise in close combat — details on guns used in close-combat range.) Defense does
conducted through Brawl and Weaponry attacks. Some apply normally against thrown weapons, such as rocks,
of these circumstances are also addressed as Fighting Style knives and spears.
Merits (see pp. 110-112). Ranged and General Combat A target who is tied up, unconscious or simply un-
factors are discussed on p. 159 and 164. moving does not receive Defense as protection. Nor does
one who’s taken by surprise or who is unaware of an in-
Defense coming attack (say he has his back turned). That is, the
attacker’s dice pool is not modified by the target’s Defense
Only someone caught completely by surprise, a fool, trait.
a masochist or a martyr stands still and takes whatever an A completely dormant target — a person who is tied
enemy has to dish out. Most combatants seek to avoid up so that he cannot move at all, or who is unconscious
getting hit and hurt. — is a sitting duck for a killing blow (see p. 168). The
A target is automatically allowed a degree of evasion attacker need not make a roll; he delivers damage equal
when an opponent uses a Brawl, Weaponry or thrown at- to his dice pool. If the target wears armor, its rating is
tack against him. Such a response is a reflexive action automatically subtracted from the damage inflicted.
and applies even if your character is attacked before his If multiple close-combat attacks are directed at your
place in the Initiative roster. This reaction is called your character in the same turn, he may try to evade each of

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CLOSE COMBAT FACTORS-DEFENSE