Combat Rating might be more appropriate than Melee Rating

[Hastifer]

This new discussion was sparked when I read about staves being more magicky (http://www.srythforum.com/showthread.php?t=409)

But, since my thoughts are more general than that thread's direction, I wanted to start a different discussion, plus, I'm not making a Suggestion (or trying to alter a suggestion), which is the forum that thread is in.

Note -- it goes without saying, but is worth pointing out now --- this is my opinion. I don't want to come across as stating facts.

MR is based on more than just physical attributes.

MR's dependencies, and -- why I think GM chose them:
Might -- break through their defenses (and make it hurt )
Agility -- the coordination to both deal & avoid damage
Mind -- making the right decisions to gain combat advantages
Luck -- why DID that tree branch fall on my foe's head just then?

The Mind stat comes into play in determining MR, which suggests MR benefits from decisions the character makes during the combat. So -- I don't see the problem with MR being significantly boosted by a wizard's staff, since MR isn't just hack/slash.

I think a more appropriate term for MR, based on the stats that are used is: Combat Rating. I think that MR gives the impression of an in-your-face warrior, but we have rogues & mages, too, which employ an entirely different set of tactics in combat (such as hoping a tree branch falls on the foe's head very soon).

[Badstench]

Hmmmm...

MR in relation to your post could have been better said in it's full terminology: Melee Rating.

I see your point behind the ideas of some attributes adding to MR capability, but I don't believe they are relevant to the act of swinging your sword/ staff/ club/ whatever and smashing someone.

Yes, we could imagine that the Mind attribute aids the process, but this complicates the matter.

One of the reaosns I like the game is in its simplicity. Melee rating is determined by the power of the arm and weapon wielded. Magic weapons enhance this ability.

I don't want to put you off your premise; it's interesting... but if you have ever played Dugeons & Dragons, you should know that the attributes rule human abilities and traits.

Agility is what it is... the ability to move quickly, dodge, etc.
Mind offers a better opportunity to 'see' things and to understand the use of magic... and to cast magic spells effectively.

The attributes are distinct and rule different areas of human capability.

It's not beyond us to imagine that such skills could aid in the fighting of a battle while employing a weapon, but such a reasoning would request a more complicated rating system; strike and withdraw, parry and dodge.

Do we want this as a part of the melee description?

[Lightwielder]

See, I don't think that the GM wanted the combat capability to be labeled "strength." That implies that it's the raw power of muscle that gives you the upper hand. Melee Rating is the evaluation of the overall skill you have with your weapon, and that is compared to your opponents Melee Rating to determine your chance of gaining the advantage over your opponent during that round.

Melee Rating's primary purpose is determining your weapon skill over your opponents weapon skill. I assume it affects damage in some way, but the majority of damage affecting forces has to do with your roll. The higher you roll over the required number, the more damage it does.

This doesn't mean that you or your opponent cannot do damage if they lose that round's roll, but that the winner of the roll will, overall, do much more effectively that round.

That's the impression that I get when I analyze the term "Melee Rating."

[Doolipalally]

I'd prefer Combat Rating, but for a different reason.

'Melee' is actually a specific sort of fight. It was originally used for the part of a medieval tournament where two 'teams' fought each other, generally on foot iirc. A 'melee' is more often used these days to refer to a fight which involves several participants. So it isn't really appropriate for one-on-one combat.

Having said that, it's not an issue I've ever got worked up over! I just remember noticing it when I first started playing, and thinking it was odd.

[thingirl]

@ Dooli: Me too
@ Lightwielder: I get what you're saying. And your Melee Rating determines your enemy's to-hit number. Unless it's in a scaled scenario.

[Hastifer]

I get what you're saying as I have indeed played that game (2.0 & up)

However, thematically I think melee rating in sryth is much different than either thac0 or bab. both have only to do with ranged/melee combat and touch spells.

Granted, it is nearly the same in that respect. The exception is that your combat roll still determines whether you get hit or not. So it is kind of like rolling in AC, too.

MR folds in one other component - strategy/decisions. You don't get to pick which square you fight from. Your character does. That's why I still stick to the idea that 'Combat Rating' is a better term.

IMO, in that game's terms, MR folds in BAB, AC, decision making, & GM whim.

Again, I'm not suggesting an actual change to the game. Just pointing out something more along the lines of what dooly put much better & simply -- a better understanding of what I think the GM really means by the current term.

[thingirl]

Just pointing out something more along the lines of what dooly put much better & simply -- a better understanding of what I think the GM really means by the current term.

OK, here's the pot calling the kettle black again. Doesn't she like being called Dooli? With an "i", not a "y". ;)

[Hastifer]

OK, here's the pot calling the kettle black again. Doesn't she like being called Dooli? With an "i", not a "y". ;)

I stand corrected on my most recent (ahem, note the spelling there on that recent word...) egregious, erroneous personal reference.

tee hee!

[thingirl]

I already have dictionary.com in another window.

EDIT: You used big words to say "Oops. That's embarrassing."

[Doolipalally]

OK, here's the pot calling the kettle black again. Doesn't she like being called Dooli? With an "i", not a "y". ;)

I stand corrected on my most recent (ahem, note the spelling there on that recent word...) egregious, erroneous personal reference.

tee hee!

That gets a vocabulary rep!

In any case I don't really mind. I only suggested 'Dooli' in the first place cos it was easier to type than 'Doolipalally'.

(And TG - have to point out it often comes out as 'Dolli' in your posts anyway! :))

[thingirl]

That's 'cuz the "o" and the "l" are so close together. :o

[Lightwielder]

@ Lightwielder: I get what you're saying. And your Melee Rating determines your enemy's to-hit number. Unless it's in a scaled scenario.

I knew that. I was just explaining what "Melee Rating" means to me.