Blaque/GeneralRules

General Rules Changes

The Basics of Things

This page is for general system changes really. This is a series of possible houserules to various traits that don't have a subpage already, as well as things like combat, and the like. Thing sto keep in mind is that I use variation son Power Combat, as well as things like geenral houserules seen in other pages. So without further ado, here are some other things to read for now. I'm going ot use soem of the original Exalted corebook layout, organizing things by Caste. Why? Because its easier to go through the book that way generally.

Dawn Caste, aka, Combat Stuff

Essence Dodge in Power Combat

There is some debate on when and when not ot add Essence to Dodge in Power Combat. Specifically, effects such as buying a dicepool from 0 with Reed in the Wind or the Wood anima effect.

I go with the idea that this Essence bonus is applied during the equipment modifier part of the Order of Modifiers chart found in Exalted, page 229. When you build a pool from 0, you are effectively skipping that, and the penalties part of the chart. The advantage to this is that you don't actually apply wounnd penalties to such rolls. The downside is things like hearthstone bracers and your Essence don't either. Its a trade-off thing. It also keeps certain effects balanced, like Dragon-Blooded in their dice-adders.

Brawling Aides

The iron boot, pankrator's cestus, razor harness, crushfist and god-kicking boot introduced in the Player's Guide are brawling aides. They are like cestus, fighting gauntlets, khatars, and tiger claws in that unless said otherwise (such as being in-form with a Martial Arts Style), they are only usable with Brawl and Melee.

Another thing with Brawl I'm pondering is allowing attackers with Brawl to substitute theri Strength for Dexterity on attack rolls. I still need to ask around on this, but I think this might give Brawl a bit more self-containment that I feel it currently lacks.

Martial Arts and Weapons

The wording on the Power Combat definitions of in-form Martial Arts weaponry is a bit unclear, I think. As such, the following is how I inturpretted it.

• When you learn the first Charm of a martial arts style, you can use its weapons with Dexterity + Martial Arts for purposes of attacking and defending. For mortal characters, or people who want to use weaponry not linked to any real style, one can buy a specialty in a specific sort of weapon (slashing sword, long spear, polearm) to use that as a Martial Arts weapon.
• Charms of a style are always assumed to be being used unarmed. This mainly applies ot Charms that effect the user's initiative, accuracy, defense, or damage rolls. Even if a weapon form another style counts as a Martial Arts weapon for the user, if it isn't the style's weapon, you can't use it with the Charm. An example is that if you modify your dicepool with Blade of the Battle Maiden, you can't use it with razor claws, even if you know Water Dragon Style.
• When in a Martial Arts Form, all attacks must be unarmed. In-style weaponry, as noted above, counts as unarmed for these purposes.

Penalties and Such

Environmental penalties, Charm penalties, equipment penalties, ect., can't lower this below their Essence. Note that if the character didn't have the pool that high to begin with, then they use that pool instead. Wound penalties, being unskilled, splitting one's dicepool, and Arcane Fate are exceptions to this rule.

Being unskilled still inflicts a dicepool penalty for Exalted. However, it is only -1, rather then -2. Also, if this penalty reduces one's pool to 0 or less, they autofail the roll.

Comments

I'll get more to this laters. And stuff.

One question on the building dice pools from zero. In my game that includes reflexives, but not yet clear if that is the case in your game. So do reflexives like Five Fold or Flow like Blood, or Dipping Swallow or Shadow over water get effected by equipment bonuses? What about reflexive counterattacks, that could easily be thought to "create" an attack pool from zero. Would they get equipment bonuses. I imagine damage, but I hesitate on accuracy. Just some thoughts I had. You know I am all for lowering charm power, but I know that's not everyone's way. ;) - Jaelra