Originally in 1990, "Paired Weapons" was described on page 36 of RMB which clearly stated:
every time they use twin actions they LOSE their automatic parry
RUE346 still says something to that effect:
However, a twin, simultaneous strike with both weapons means losing the automatic parry and leaves the character open to his opponent's next attack without benefit of a parry
I believe I never noticed this (or at least, didn't process it or remember it well) because this sentence carries over from the bottom of the left column to the top of the right column of page 327 of Ultimate Edition. Sometimes it can be hard to retain sentences broken up by columns or pages like this. Read continuously...
A character with W.P. Paired Weapons using both of his attacks simultaneously on someone is vulnerable to attack from a second opponent.
When fighting three (or more) attackers, the character would be able to try to parry two of the attackers, but any other attacks would be unopposed.
This sets a scenario where you make a dual strike against an opponent, but can still make 2 parries?
I think this opens up a good situation to think about...
For example:
1) RMBp36 only talks about losing the automatic parry, but doesn't actually forbid parrying altogether (presumably you might still be able to do it by spending an action, like with a dodge, which might be preferable if you had a better parry bonus)
2) RUEp346 goes beyond saying the automatic parry is lost: it specifies that they're open to "the opponent's next attack" without benefit of a parry. Is that...
- 2a) "without benefit" only referring to the lost AUTO parry?
2b) or is it a prohibition against all parries whatsoever, including "costs an action" parries?
2c) if so, is the prohibition-against-all-parries in respect to just that opponent, or ALL attackers?
2d) if not, is auto-parry lost just against your target, or against ALL attackers?
3) RUEp327 does not specify that the parries that can be made against the 2 attackers is an AUTO parry, so would it be referring to spending an action to parry?
4) is that why it's limited to 2, because you can "parry two different attackers"?
I never used to understand the benefit of parrying 2 different attackers. "Well gee, I get an auto-parry against everyone, right?" But if you do lose the auto-parry for whatever reason (such as doing a dual strike) then suddenly it makes sense: you can spend 1 action instead of 2 actions to avoid 2 attacks.
5) What does it mean in respect to the person you targeted though? Can you parry them too, or only a "second" opponent?
6) what is up with "second" opponent yet "three or more" attackers? Shouldn't it be either "two or more"? Very confusing!
