Defense Reactions

Defense Reactions

When an enemy attacks a character with a Strike, Pummel, or Fire action, the Defender makes a Defense Roll. Often, the Defender can choose which skill to use for their Defense Roll. For melee attacks (Strike, Pummel), they can choose the Dodge, Parry, or Block reactions. To choose Block, they must have a shield equipped. To choose Parry, they must have a melee weapon equipped. 

For ranged attacks (Fire), the Defender can only choose to Dodge and they also suffer a −2 situation penalty to the Defense Roll. However, if the Defender has previously taken the Brace action with their shield, then they can also choose to Block against a ranged attack (and do not suffer any penalty). Finding Cover or dropping Prone is the best defense against ranged attacks. Larger shields can also provide some Cover by simply being equipped.