DM: Open Hand fightin'

From: Ben Hitz <hitz@cuhhca.hhmi.columbia.edu>

Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1993 17:01:07 +0000

In article <21ok9g$po7@charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> Erich
Walentschak, ewalents@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu writes:
>>Speaking of favorite weapons, how does one do if the hand is ones
>>favorite?  I had my basher shatter his HL last turn, and he proceeded
>>to pummel his opponent with his fists, getting several crits before
>>knocking the guy out.  I assume that a weapon is always better, as the
>>guys parrys damaged me.

Well, fortunately, Open Hand is only Marginally suited to Bashers, and It
can't be your favorite!  Only ST and AB are Well suited to FI (Open
Hand).  I've never used it with ST, although I will send ST out without a
backup, unless I'm challenging a TP, or I'm fairly certian my favorite is
something good, like BS.

I've only used FI a little (on purpose), and only with AB.  The nice
thing about AB's using FI is that they use their Feet as well!!
Round-House kick crits, etc.  I think to use open hand effectivly, you
have to have a high enough attack level to basically never get parried.
(I would say a Master attack for low-med reg DM-- I've never gotten an AB
to AD)  I recently lost a fight, that I was easily winning, with an AB.
I was parried twice, and that took me out.  I even take Normal damage.
I'm hoping that was just a fluke, or a bad WL roll (WL 11)

Another advantage of FI with AB's is that it's _fast_.  I've occasionally
beaten LU to the punch that way.  Not recommended if you're running like
4-4-4-x-P, though.

Ben Hitz