Counter-Blocking

[Luthius]

This is probably my stupid name for what i think is a good idea.

I think a nice touch to add to the game would be the ability to block an enemies attack at just the right time as to throw them off guard, leading to a quick counter strike. It works like this:

When the enemy swings at you, you have to press the block button 'just' before the blow hits you to successfully parry/deflect their attack.
This leaves them open to a quick counter attack which is executed as part of the move, provided that the attack button is pressed shortly following the deflection. Rather than being unblockable, this is only blockable with a similar parrying manouver which could either cancel the combat sequence or force you to parry his blow.

I think this would add a real skill to swordsmanship (maybe only works with 2H swords or just swords without a shield) where by you have to do it at exactly the right time to get it right or you get struck and to prevent you doing it by chance you need to follow up with a quick attack to strike back in the window of opportunity the parry presents. There could be a skill related to this which decreases the precision needed to pull of the move.

Of course only the best enemies could do this to you and it can't stop you moving or else you could get stuck in a group with this.

This was inspired by reading about samuri deflecting blows and then cutting their opponents arms off and i believe would add some more excitement into the game and make you feel like you're in a real sword fight. This could be a start to a fencing procedure some people would like to see (maybe in mods).

 

[Luthius]

Right now it's at 100% Because only i've voted

 

[Jhaerik]

Here is my problem with it, the AI would abusing it. Its already hard enough to get a hit in on foot without back=pedaling when mobbed, it would mean not only will you end up with you sword at your side for 90% of the fight, but the 10% that do get through are countered with an even greater drawback for you. Also seeing as it would not effect horsemen as that are riding past on attack, it would make the already hard game, harder for us guys that prefer to stay on foot. In a 1 on 1 fight it would be a great thing to have, but with 3 or so guys attacking you, you would pretty much never egt a hit in, because their chance of doing this to you would be 3 times (or more) the chance of you doing it to them, even thought his would be reasonably realistic, it wouldn't work as well as it sounds I don't think.

(I'm just waiting for some mounted popinjay to come, and yet again rant and rave on the subject that infantry should bend over and kiss it goodbye. Untill M&B is advanced enough to drop your sword, pick up a log, and break the nearest horse's leg, I fear I'll have to listen.)

 

[Nairagorn]

Not a bad idea at all, similar to Soul Caliber if you've ever played that. Gotta block at just the right time to deflect and counter, as opposed to just holding the block button.

Maybe if the "window" of opportunity for deflection was dependent on the weapon master skill...

 

[svart]

I actually think the player will be abusing it.

 

[Ingolifs]

Perhaps the whole 'block and parry' idea could be expanded by making parry (maybe along with shield) a defense skill that gives you a better ability to block stuff.

At low levels, you basically stick your weapon out in front of you and hope it will stop the enemies weapon. Problem is, this is very weak against big meaty weapons. Such a low level block would be successful but it would knock you off balance for a short time, just enough for your enemy to get a free strike in.

At high levels, You don't perform a block, instead it's a proper parry that deflects the attack, with a corresponding animation. At a high level, attacks even from large heavy weapons, are just nudged away by a hand axe with ease.

So basically as your skill increases, you'll be able to block/parry attacks of progressively greater momentum without any 'off balance' penalties.

This skill could also be applied to weapon proficiencies, meaning a high weapon proficiency in one type of weapon means you are beter able to parry with it.

Finally, this skill could be tied in with the shield skill to give a general 'defense' skill.

 

[Luthius]

I actually think the player will be abusing it.

I think in a way thats kind of the point. Only if you abuse it badly you get in trouble and get smacked around the head

Weapon master skill would be a good one to tie it to i suppose. You could also tie it in to athletics. This skill could help footsoldiers who would be better at it than mounted troops. Bandits don't have the skills, maybe dark knights and guards/champions and the like do, but it would be quite a specialty that the average joe won't accomplish. In fact if the AI was bad they would end up getting him more often because of it so they shouldn't try it. Only accomplished swordspeople like yourself have the courage and the skills (and possibly the armour) to try it.

I'm not sure about the making bigger weapons harder to deflect. I'm assuming that bigger, more unwieldy weapons would be more prone to this manouver than a short sword or dagger. Anyone with a shield could be immune to the counter strike if they just press block.

This would need balancing to make people happy, but you could just have it for 2H fighting 2H so you know what you're in for fighting like that. Then it's a rare skill used between acomplished fighters.

 

[Alma69]

good idea to upgrade a litlle fight sistem

 

[thorins]

hi all,

there is also a move called a reposte (spelling?) that is a parry and feint that gives you a strong counter against your opponent. so instead of a direct attack you wait till he/she attacks you then you (parry) and attack your opponent on his/her over swing. this in a real fight will leave you with a nice thigh waist or rib you can open up.

 

[Can O Soup]

The correct spelling is riposte, and I agree that a riposte should be enabled at high weapon proficiencies only. Like above 300. A quick slip of a weapon between the joints of armor will do wonders.

 

[Luthius]

Cheers for the response guys. This was my first real suggestion and i was worried that i would get slated for it.

If this skill only really becomes feasable at high weapon proficiencies it would open up more skill for later on in the game, which could be a refreshing touch and also something you can look forward to trying out. I feel 300 is a bit high though as i would rather be able to do it sooner, just with more degrees of risk!