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