Defense

AX.C.10.06 - Defense

A character's Defense is the number of successes an attacker must roll to hit them.

Defense Calculation

Defense = 1 + (Speed Value + Armor Value) ÷ 3, round down. Minimum Defense is 1.

Defense Calculation Chart

Speed	Armor Weight	Armor Value	Base Defense	Calculation	Defense
2D	None	0	1 +	(2+0)÷3=0	1
3D	None	0	1 +	(3+0)÷3=1	2
3D	Light	1	1 +	(3+1)÷3=1	2
4D	Light	1	1 +	(4+1)÷3=1	2
4D	Medium	2	1 +	(4+2)÷3=1	2
5D	Medium	2	1 +	(5+2)÷3=1	2
5D	Heavy	3	1 +	(5+3)÷3=2	3
6D	Heavy	3	1 +	(6+3)÷3=3	4

Most combatants have Defense 2. Elite warriors with high Speed and heavy armor could reach Defense 3-4.

Armor Value

Armor protection depends on the weight of the armor reflecting materials and coverage.

• Light: +1
• Medium: +2
• Heavy: +3

How a character describes their armor is up to them, the rating is the only mechanical value of concern.

Armor Penalty

Armor applies a penalty to a character's dice pools equal to the Armor Value. This penalty applies to Athletics, Acrobatics, and Odd Talent action pools.

• Light: -1D
• Medium: -2D
• Heavy: -3D

A character can off-set the Armor Penalty by improving their Endurance Talent.

For every 2D in Endurance, the Armor Penalty to Movement Challenges is reduced by 1.

Endurance	Penalty Reduction
1D	0
2D	1D
3D	0
4D	2D
5D	0
6D	3D

Shields

A shield provides the benefit of partial cover to the wielder, resulting in +1 to Defense.

Shields also offer the following additional maneuver options.

• Bulwark – While standing adjacent to an ally who is also wielding a shield, you both gain the benefit of full cover.
• Shield Bash – Use your shield as a weapon to Strike an opponent. You loose any defensive benefits provided by the shield.

Medium and Large shields require 1 hand to operate effectively. Characters cannot use a heavy, great or two-handed weapon while using a shield.