Rulings/DefendingTheInapplicable

Date asked: August 7, 2006
Rule set: Second Edition
Rules area: How does inapplicable defense work anyway?

This didn't actually came up in a game, but I do anticipate others running into this in the future. In First Edition inapplicable defense simply doesn't work, even when it's perfect. However, in Second Edition, with stunt and magic, it's possible. Now, stunting works, period, but most people are thinking Solar perfect defenses when thinking magic. Nope, by magic, I don't mean applicability-trumping perfects. I mean basic Excellencies. This page discusses the rules relevant for using magic to defend with inapplicable defenses.

The following rules may help in resolving this:

• Exalted: Second Edition, Inapplicable Defense: pg. 146
• Exalted: Second Edition, DV Bonuses: 146-148.

Resolution

• Page 146 of corebook. Inapplicable Defense. "Keep in mind that bonuses and penalties apply to inapplicable DVs after the reduction to zero, so a character huddled behind a rock may still benefit from it's cover and so on."
• Page 148 of corebook. Putting it All Together. "When confronted with an attack, establish the base values for Dodge DV and Parry DV. Most often, these will be positive numbers, but if the particular mode of defense is prohibited, then the value is 0. Next, add any applicable bonuses to each value, followed by applicable penalties."
• Page 147 of corebook. DV bonuses. "Reflexive Charms may also increase or adjust DV. In particular, the three Excellencies (see pp. 183-185) have special effects when used to aid a defense. When Essence Overwhelming aids DV, the player rolls the dice granted by the Charm and adds successes to the DV like a stunt. ..." Refer to the page for the full text.
• Going with the above rules, you can use defend using an inapplicable defense. The base DV of such defense is set to 0. This is not a penalty, and thus can't be cancelled with Charms such as Shadow Over Water. However, bonuses and penalties are applied after the DV is set to 0. DV granted by stunts and Charms (e.g., Excellencies) are DV bonuses. Thus it is possible, although difficult, to dodge the undodgeable and parry the unblockable. In most cases, it's better to rely on applicability trumping effects such as Solar perfect dodge and parry, or to just use an applicable defense. However, there are some situations where even the low and very expensive DVs generated this way is better than the alternative. An Exalted being clinched may not have a better alternative, and if he manages to get, say, DV 4 out of this, that's 4 less damage dice being rolled, which could be a life-saver for the immediate term.

Discussion

I'm being arrogant and putting this straight into the Resolution section. The corebook is clear about this. We may have some baggage from the way 1e mechanics treat Inapplicables, but that's 1e baggage. I'm not sure if I like the new rule, I'll have to see it in play, especially since there are powerful charms and effects that triggers when someone dodges or parry and inapplicables are traditionally the method of defeating those effects, but again, the book is clear about this. - TonyC

I haven't seen people confused so much about this basic idea as I've seen confusion about things like Sandstorm Wind Attack's "unblockable except through the use of stunts of Charms" and so forth. - Hapushet

Yeah, never mind - I just spent far too much posting time having this exact argument over on RPG.net. Finally managed to convince the other party, however. - Hapushet

Sidenote on one of the consequences of the equation "un(DV)able" = "DV set to 0 and nothing more:" since perfect defenses don't check DV at all, the default (as in, they work this way without Charm text to say otherwise) is that perfect defenses automatically supersede applicability. Unassailable Body of (Element) Defense has such Charm text, and I suspect future Charms will also, but it's worth keeping in mind. - Hapushet