Parry

From HGWiki

Parry allows the character to block incoming attacks and make spectacular counterattacks.

• Ability: dexterity

• Classes: Barbarian, Bard, Blackguard, Champion of Torm, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Dragon Disciple, Rogue

• Cross-Class: yes

• Requires Training: no

• Check: The difficulty class is the modified attack roll of the incoming blow. A successful parry means that the attack does not damage the parrying character. A character may only parry a number of attacks per round equal to the number of attacks per round available to the character.

• Special: Wearing armor may incur a penalty to the roll. If the parry is successful and the difference between the roll and the DC is ten points or greater, a counterattack occurs. A counterattack is a free attack made by the parrying character, at his full attack bonus, against the parried opponent.

• Use: Select the parry mode. The character will remain in parry mode until the mode is exited.

HG Enhanced

• Reduces damage taken from critical hits. The total damage taken is reduced by 1% per 2 points of Parry skill above 20, to a maximum of 50% with a skill of 120.
• A skill of 100 or higher grants immunity to Assassin Mortal Strike and protects from the death effect of a Ranger's Called Shot.
• NOTE Wearing Heavy Armour and a using a Tower Shield give a significant -18 (-8 for armour and -10 for the shield!) reduction in your parry it may be worth considering a lighter armour type and large (-2) or small (-1) shield to maximise your parry skill.

Notes

Unfortunately, this skill was reduced from its original (pre-release) state and is considerably less effective than it may sound. Parry can only deflect the first attack in each of the three flurries in a round (for example, parrying an opponent with 5 attacks per round will only attempt to block the first, third, and fifth attacks). Furthermore, counterattacks (also called ripostes) are included in the number of attacks that may be deflected (for example, a deflection and riposte use two of the three attacks per round limit).

Riposte attacks are made with the character's normal (descending) attack bonus, not at full bonus each time. Thus if a character has an attack schedule of +16/+11/+6 and successfully reposts two attacks, the riposte attacks will be at +16 then +11, not at +16 each time.