Types of Attacks
Contents
Test Pools
Complex scenarios allow for a number of different attack types. By default, a successful attack inflicts 1 point of normal damage. If you score an exceptional success while attacking, you inflict an additional point of damage. When a vampire is engaged in a Physical challenge (whether attacking or defending) she may spend Blood to temporarily boost her Physical attribute.
Unarmed Attack
When attempting to punch, kick, or otherwise harm someone with an unarmed attack, your Physical attribute + Brawl form your attack test pool and are compared against your opponent’s Physical attribute + Dodge. By default, successful unarmed attacks inflict 1 point of damage. To use an unarmed attack, you need to be within two steps of your target.
Melee Attack
When attacking someone with a melee weapon (such as a knife, sword, or club), use your Physical attribute + Melee versus your opponent’s Physical attribute + Dodge. By default, successful melee attacks inflict 1 point of damage. To use a melee attack, you need to be within two steps of your target.
Thrown Attack
When throwing a weapon at your target, use your Physical attribute + Athletics versus your opponent’s Physical attribute + Dodge. By default, successful thrown attacks inflict 1 point of damage. To use a thrown attack, you need to be within 10 steps of your target, and you must use a weapon with a quality that allows it to be thrown, such as Balanced.
Firearms Attack
When firing a weapon at your target, use your Physical attribute + Firearms versus your opponent’s Physical attribute + Dodge. If your character is Wits-focused, you can use your Mental attribute instead of your Physical attribute when making a ranged attack. By default, successful firearms attacks inflict 2 points of damage. The range of a firearms attack depends on the weapon used. If your ranged weapon is archaic, such as a bow, crossbow, etc., you can use your Athletics skill instead of Firearms when making a ranged attack.
Mental/Social Attacks
When attempting a Mental attack, use your Mental attribute + appropriate skill versus your opponent’s Mental attribute + current Willpower. When attempting a Social attack, use your Social attribute + appropriate skill versus your opponent’s Social attribute + current Willpower.
Chapter 4: Introduction to Core Systems
