Dirty Tactics

[GAZKUL]

I was wondering if anyone has written rules for the huge selection of dishonerable,cowardly and downright evil ways of winning/surviving a fight. eg: executing a K.O'd opponent, hiding behing an ally, playing dead,throwing dirt in the eyes of bad guys etc. if not dous anyone have any suggestions or house rules for this?

[MarcoSkoll]

Executing a KO'd opponent is in the rulebook (automatic critical hit to a location of your choice - presumably the head).

Hiding behind an ally - I'd rule varying chances of it hitting the ally or the hider depending on the angle the attack is coming from.

Playing dead - there is a brief note on this in the hallucinogens section, where the individual thinks the gas is toxic and collapses "dead". Characters viewing must pass an Sg test or believe it as well. I'd go with the same thing, but obviously, with the generally reasonable Sg values of most characters, this could be risky.

Throwing dirt in the eyes of enemies - I'd adapt the photon flash rules. First the character would have to roll a WS test to actually hit the eyes. His target would then get a I test to try and avoid it getting in their eyes (which would stun for D3 turns).
However, if the target has bionic eyes (regardless of quality*), is wearing goggles, etc, the test automatically fails. Although, if they've only got one bionic eye (and one real one), then they get a "cyclopean" penalty (doubled reach penalties in combat) for D3 turns if they fail.

[Kaled]

I think Marco has covered everything, but it's an interesting question.  There's probably potential for more things like this - the tactics and methods of those who play dirty; not necessary new rules but ways to use those rules to represent a particular type of character.  Maybe even a DM article if you can think of enough...

[GAZKUL]

A friend suggested using a K.O'd opponent as a meatshield in a Gears of War esque style.

you could modify an unarmed close combat attack to represent eye gouging, headbutting and going for the groin.

and introduce rules for stealing weapns/ammo/money from downed bad/good guys

[MarcoSkoll]

and introduce rules for stealing weapns/ammo/money from downed bad/good guys

Heh. Try that at one of my games, and you'd start running into some interesting problems.

I'd give most characters a WS/BS penalty for using a weapon they weren't familiar with. With guns, I'd probably also increase the risk of jams (and make them harder to clear), and give the character a chance of failing to turn the safety off properly, messed up or slower reloads, etc.
And the old favourite "Your character is a total monkey who failed to realise that the ammo he stole is in fact the wrong size to use in his gun."

GMs are allowed to play dirty too...

[psycho]

going for the groin is one of my favourites (boxing being a pastime of mine...) and ive used a few times..most successfully when Inquisitor Dire picked up Interrogator Carver onto his shoulder but doing so meant waking him up...Carver decided to then ram his knee into Dires groin at full speed....and then fell on the floor crying like a little girl as his knee shattered due to Dires Power Armoured Crotch....as Marco says use a WS test to see if the shot hits and then calculate damage based off unarmed attack+x2 Strength Bonus (trust me you get some serious power from your legs, especially if youve done it before ;-)

kerby

[InquisitorHeidfeld]

This being the distopia of the 41st Millenium I'm afraid I take dirty tactics as read.

I simply assume that a portion of the character's weapon skill is taken up with going for the groin, the hamstrings or that awkward scalp cut which won't stop bleeding into your eyes. Taken up with flinging a handful of sand (or chemical deposits) at your opponent to give them room to breath.

Learning to fight after all is not the same as learning to fence, anything that might save your life is fair tactic in that situation.


As to meatshields, apply an armour value of the victim's toughness over 10 (20 if they're already out of action) plus the victim's armour to the shielded individual's torso, abdomen, groin and off-leg. They can move at no more than a walk (in general, a Space Marine using cultist can probably sprint, a cultist using a Space Marine can probably do no more than cower).

[GAZKUL]

come on guys what would you consider a dirty tactic? its those things which appear every so often and cause all present to stand up and say in aggrevated tones "that's not a very nice thing to do".  lets hear some ploys of the underdogs, scum, traitors and eldar and find some rules for them. its the things you've always wanted to do in a game but your sense of honour and kindness has always prevented you doing so, let the not very nice guy inside you out to air his views on shooting hostages, backstabbing, etc.

[Alta]

How about tripping people up as they run/sprint past?
Another dirty tactic that there are rules for is having someone that has the 'Persuade' skill to get someone to join their team then backstabbing them.
Or maybe a type of persuade that uses bribery?
Or putting someone to sleep, then carrying them to somewhere else, and removing all their weapons...
These are all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment...

[MarcoSkoll]

This being the distopia of the 41st Millenium I'm afraid I take dirty tactics as read.

Nah. Many of the characters in Inquisitor have a certain degree of honour to them.

Anyway, let's look at two possible GM responses to "Can I try throwing sand in his eyes?" - which is the more interesting?
a) "Sure. Make a WS test to see if you hit."
b) "No, I've assumed you're already doing that".

[Aidan]

We had a situation in our last Inquisitor confrontation where one character took an opponent hostage at gunpoint.

And I have seen all too many misuses of krak grenades and demo charges. Yes it's fair, but also as dishonourable as possible.

And there is the tried and true tactic of shooting someone locked in combat with a less-than-valued ally (or a less-hittable ally). We have a player whose lead character specialises in that kind of thing (and the aforementioned grenade business). To hear him describe it, his character (a techno-heretic) is "moral, but not honourable".

Or maybe a type of persuade that uses bribery?

So wait, you've *not* ever used bribery in campaign scenarios?'

-A.

[Dust King]

I've found some tactics can compensate for being outclassed and seem like a realistic reaction, especially for some characters.

Inquisitor Haast often uses a tactic of setting his opponents on fire before charging them with his chainsword. For a man who fight's genestealers and such he needs all the help he can get.

Also using explosives to take hostages is a good tactic, but using 'fake'explosives is even more satisfying.

[Swarbie]

Hehe, getting ideas for a bounty hunter character who specialises in these tactics now . . .

Things like holding on to his target with a pistol to his head to stop the target's friends shooting him, then walking out and killing him anyway.

[GAZKUL]

heh heh, stuff like in the movie S.W.A.T when Jeremy Renner's character shoots a terrorist through a hostage.

[Swarbie]

Hehe, getting ideas for a bounty hunter character who specialises in these tactics now . . .

Things like holding on to his target with a pistol to his head to stop the target's friends shooting him, then walking out and killing him anyway.

Well, after a little contemplation, I give you the beginnings of a character: http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1058.new#new