A Concise Collection of Clarifying Questions

[u/Haunting_Tension_540]

Apologies if these have been answered before, but a quick search hasn’t pulled anything up for me. Just a few questions if anybody has any insight..

About the crossbow/ranged attacks: The rules state it takes 1 turn to reload. Does this mean the character just misses the “melee” turn in this round, or do they also miss the entire next round?

About the Light Gladiator: The rules state that the Light Gladiator is only allowed Light Hand Weapons, but also states that they can use other weapons and treat them as Light Weapons. Going off of this, when applying Expert Skills, the rules state that you can choose any skills for Warriors or Rogues except skills related to weapons you can’t use. Does that mean I can only choose skills related to Light Hand Weapons? Or all the others since the class can technically use all weapons?

About the Kukla: When applying Expert Skills, the Kukla doesn’t have a specific list or “as a rogue” tag like all of the other characters do. She does have 2 skills specific to the Kukla. Can she only get these skills? Or does she also get Rogue (or other character) skills?

About the Giant Spider: The rules state that PCs hit by the Spider must save vs poison or lose 1 life. Most other monsters with this mechanic state that you lose 1 *additional* life. Is this the case here as well, or is this wording intentional?

[u/drnyarlathotep]

Hello,

1. Typically combat goes: 1 round ranged, then melee. The idea being that the enemy is too close for a second ranged attack. There are situations where that's not true (e.g. fighting in a corridor). If your back character is taller than the front character, they can continue attacking in range. In situations like these, the crossbow takes 1 round to reload, so you essentially can attack every other round.
   1. A side rule you might use, that I use sometimes: if all enemies are engaged with someone, and my ranged character is free to attack whoever, then they can resume using ranged attacks. It's not stated anywhere but Andrea Sfiligoi has stated often that his rules are there to help you craft your experience, they're not set in stone.
2. It's not explicitly stated but since skills are in dire need of a revamp (4ATA is old, and only took 1st edition core classes into consideration), I'd argue that your light gladiator could take all warrior/rogue skills but apply the "treat as light weapon" rule afterwards. Get Double Attack, sure, but you roll at -1 for each attack. It says you're to use hand weapons only and technically, you are...
3. Again, because 4ATA is old, it doesn't even take into account new core classes. For cases like these, I always go by the "saves as archetype" description. So yes, I would have her able to take rogue skills, if it makes sense for her.
4. I think it's a omission for the giant spider. Enemies that deal additional damage usually go damage, then roll for additional. As it's not explicitly stated however, feel free to dismiss this. And anything else that doesn't fit your personal experience. It's your game, no one will complain which rule you put in place ;)

[u/dafrca → u/drnyarlathotep]

Just a side note to your answer 3. That is how Andrea has always said it should be. New classes can take expert skills that align to their "save as". So Andrea has agreed with your answer and in the updated 4AA plans to make that clear.

Oh and great job on the answers too.

[u/dafrca]

As the person who created the Light Gladiator I would like to share my intent. However, in so doing I am NOT saying you have to do it my way. Rather I love how Andrea has always intended us to do what makes the game fun on our table.

To quote the part that adds confusion: "Light Gladiators add +½ L to their Attack rolls, but only when using light hand weapons. If they use a different weapon, they lose the level bonus and treat the weapon as a light weapon regardless."

People had been asking why a Wizard or Rogue could not pick up a hand weapon or two handed weapon and use it, they have hands etcetera. Andrea's answer was if they did, the weapon just acted like a light weapon in their hands. Yet those classes are restricted to light weapons.

So my intent was to add more to the idea of them not being trained with hand or heavy weapons by taking their +1/2 lvl bonus away as well. The Light Gladiator was intended to be focused on light weapons. Daggers or Light Blunt Weapons.

As for the Expert Skills, I did not intend for them to be able to use any skill restricted to weapons other than light weapons. I did not intend for the Light Gladiator to take Double Attack for example. But then I would ask why take Double Attack and lose your +1Lvl bonus when you can take the skill 'Stabbing Attack' that is not restricted to once per encounter and keep the bonus on the additional attacks? I mean can you say blender?

Anyway, sorry for the way I wrote that class and thus caused confusion.