"After all, at the start of the duel the initiative loser is still technically flat footed (unless we want to seriously degrade the sneak attack ability)"
That's ridiculous. But there's no reason this has to touch the sneak attack rules; just declare that it is not possible to catch someone flat-footed in any combat pre-arranged by both parties.
I wouldn't change the definition of first blood. It's nice and empirical as it is. Once it's happened, everyone at the table immediately knows it. If it's changed to fractions of HP, then it becomes a "was that it?""was that it?""was that it?" situation. I find that less dramatic.
I think what you're looking for is more skillful clashing of swords, which to my eye would require more parrying.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-02-15 12:44 pm (UTC)That's ridiculous. But there's no reason this has to touch the sneak attack rules; just declare that it is not possible to catch someone flat-footed in any combat pre-arranged by both parties.
I wouldn't change the definition of first blood. It's nice and empirical as it is. Once it's happened, everyone at the table immediately knows it. If it's changed to fractions of HP, then it becomes a "was that it?""was that it?""was that it?" situation. I find that less dramatic.
I think what you're looking for is more skillful clashing of swords, which to my eye would require more parrying.