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Message no. 1
From: Jyster Cap jyster007@*****.com
Subject: Question concerning Reach
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 1999 01:46:34 -0700 (PDT)
I have a question about reach modifiers.

If a katana has a reach of 1 and its length
is about 4 ft counting blade & handle, and a combat
axe is about the same length and it has a reach
of 2. A staff is about 5 to 6 ft, but you
usually hold it in the middle and it has a
reach of 2. I was wondering why the staff had
a reach of 2 if you usually only attack with
half of the weapon?
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Message no. 2
From: Twist0059@***.com Twist0059@***.com
Subject: Question concerning Reach
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 1999 05:32:24 EDT
In a message dated 7/4/99 4:47:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
jyster007@*****.com writes:

> I have a question about reach modifiers.
>
> If a katana has a reach of 1 and its length
> is about 4 ft counting blade & handle, and a combat
> axe is about the same length and it has a reach
> of 2. A staff is about 5 to 6 ft, but you
> usually hold it in the middle and it has a
> reach of 2. I was wondering why the staff had
> a reach of 2 if you usually only attack with
> half of the weapon?

I'd say the Reach modifier for a Staff mainly comes from the diversity of
attacks with it. The opponent has to continually account for attacks from
one end of the staff, as well as the other, so the player wielding the staff
controls a dual advantage over similar length (effectively wielding two
swords at once).

Darth Maul is the coolest example of this, I think, but then again look what
happened to him....





-Twist
Message no. 3
From: Kelson Kelson@****.net
Subject: Question concerning Reach
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 1999 04:57:01 -0500
> From: Jyster Cap <jyster007@*****.com>
> Date: Sunday, July 04, 1999 3:46 AM

> If a katana has a reach of 1 and its length
> is about 4 ft counting blade & handle, and a combat
> axe is about the same length and it has a reach
> of 2. A staff is about 5 to 6 ft, but you
> usually hold it in the middle and it has a
> reach of 2. I was wondering why the staff had
> a reach of 2 if you usually only attack with
> half of the weapon?

Combat axes are about as long as staves, actually. They are polearm
weapons (blade on the end of a stick). Staves are used in many ways and it
is very possible to strike with the end of the staff. Also, keep in mind
that sweeps can be done well with a staff too. Just remember that the
combat system is abstract in nature. It's assumed that you are using reach
to your best advantage at all times (and in SR3 you can use reach to either
help defend yourself better or more aggressively attack your opponent).

Justin
Message no. 4
From: Mongoose m0ng005e@*********.com
Subject: Question concerning Reach
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 1999 13:48:39 -0500
:I have a question about reach modifiers.
:
:If a katana has a reach of 1 and its length
:is about 4 ft counting blade & handle, and a combat
:axe is about the same length and it has a reach
:of 2. A staff is about 5 to 6 ft, but you
:usually hold it in the middle and it has a
:reach of 2. I was wondering why the staff had
:a reach of 2 if you usually only attack with
:half of the weapon?

Reach is not a simple matter of just the distance between the striker
and part of the weapon he hits with. It can also be a matter of how has the
advantage of bring able to hit first / more often. Think (god, I can't
believe I'm using this as an example) of Darth Mul's double ended
lightsaber-
it didn't offer any single use where he could strike at longer range, but it
did certainly confer an advantage in combat that could be considered
"reach",
in that he could more easily position his weapon where needed (or "reach"
his blocking / striking positions).
I personally don't see why whips offer 2 reach- they do shit all for
blocking purposes, and are only useful as garrotes once an opponent gets
right on top of you. The ax is a similar case- get past its swing range,
and
its much less effective. I think the rules assume that people circle at max
striking range, and "Big" weapons have an intimidation factor that stop's
people from rushing in for grappling / knife thrusts, whatever. I'm sure
there's a lot of house rules out there that adjust this- I have my own, and
it requires use of an actual skill that reflects training in closing the
range in melee.

Mongoose

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