Re: [HoE] Templar Gift - Impressions?

[Darrin Bright <darrin@neobright.net>]

Steve Crow wrote:
> 
> Wanted to get folks' opinions on the following Templar gift, created because
> basically, Templar suck against relatively high-armored (4+) opponents if
> they stick with HTH, which is supposed to be their forte:
> 
> Cutting Edge

I borrowed an idea from someone else for my own Sharpness edge, although
I think mine was handled a little differently. My version is a little
overpowered... for each level the Templar gets an AP value of 1 for his
sword. 

>         The Saints do not ask their avatars to throw rocks, but instead guide their
> sword arm to the weak points in the enemy's defenses.  In game terms this
> means that for each level of Cutting Edge that the Templar possesses, he may
> spend a raise on his to hit roll to ignore one level of armor value.

Much more reasonable power, I suppose, but I can't imagine anyone using
more than one or two raises on this. Actually, if I ever saw a Templar
get five raises on a roll, I'd probably step in and say "Uh, don't
bother rolling for damage, it's toast."

Another problem I see is that you can use a raise to modify the hit
location already, so using this power is kind of pointless, especially
if you can modify the hit location to something that has lighter or no
armer. Good example would be a human opponent wearing kevlar or body
armor but no helmet.

> Greater Reward
> 
>         In addition to aiding the Templar find weakness in his or her opponent's
> armor, the Saints also help the Templar to see flaws in their opponent's
> fighting style.
> 
>         In game terms this means that the Templar may reduce their opponent's
> Defensive Bonus by an amount equal to their Faith skill level.   This does
> not overcome the initial target number required to hit, or reduce wound
> penalties.  It simply reduces the defense gained from skill and weapon
> Defensive Bonus.

This is interesting, although it doesn't seem to have anything to do
with getting past armor, unless the armor is giving some kind of
defensive bonus.