Combat questions. Dodge, Fight defensively.

[darksoul]

A player in my story decided to dodge instead of fighting hand to hand. The main book isn't clear about this.
Can he roll SKILL + Dodge special skill in melee combat to avoid a hit? I used to think Dodge was only for ranged attacks or sudden actions.

Can a character dodge and fight defensively as he is closing in on a ranged attacker?

When a player is engaged in melee combat with an NPC and is then shot at by a 2nd NPC using ranged attack, does he add his weapon special skill to the roll against the ranged attacker?
Example: Ranged attacker fires. Rolls SKILL + Ranged attack special skill
Player involved in melee this round. Rolls his SKILL + Melee weapon???
Round goes into Melee phase of combat.
Player keeps his SKILL + Melee weapon special skill roll made above.
Melee NPC makes his SKILL + Melee weapon special skill roll.

It doesn't seem right to me that the player should get the bonus of his melee special skill against a ranged attack but I'm not sure.

[Al Livingstone]

Can he roll SKILL + Dodge special skill in melee combat to avoid a hit?

I'd allow this, but the dodger doesn't get to cause any damage if they win the round. Their Attack Strength effectively becomes a 'Defence Strength' instead.

When a player is engaged in melee combat with an NPC and is then shot at by a 2nd NPC using ranged attack, does he add his weapon special skill to the roll against the ranged attacker?

How about something like this?

• Ranged attacker fires. Rolls SKILL + Ranged attack special skill
• Player involved in melee this round. Rolls their SKILL + Dodge

Round goes into Melee phase of combat.

• Player keeps their SKILL + [replace Dodge with their Melee weapon special skill] roll made above.
• Melee NPC makes their SKILL + Melee weapon special skill roll.

[darksoul]

Thanks a lot Al Livingstone.

That's perfect. I'll be doing it next game.