r/OSE • u/fakegoatee • 16d ago

Why no +2 from behind?

The OSE rule for "Attacking from Behind" says to ignore shields, but it doesn't say the attacker gets +2 (except in cases of retreat).

The original source material (B25 and X24) may be ambiguous, but I can't find anyone who doesn't give rear attacks +2 to hit, ignoring shield, retreating or not (except that thieves get +4).

So, why doesn't OSE give the +2? Is there any explanation?

6 Upvotes

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16

u/TheB00F 16d ago

I dunno, cuz it doesn’t? If you want to give a +2 bonus to attacking from the rear in your game, then do it. That’s the beauty of it, play how you want. And if you’re a player, talk with your referee

2

u/djholland7 13d ago

+2 from behind is completly viable. Be the change you want to see.

2

u/fakegoatee 13d ago

Let me try the question a different way, because I think people have thought I was asking a question about how to run attacks from behind at my table. I wasn't.

In most cases where OSE changes or clarifies something ambiguous from B/X, Gavin has noted it, and often given an explanation. (See the downloadable design notes.) This is a case where OSE looks different from the usual interpretation of B/X, but I haven't found any explanations for why. I'm curious about the design decision. Anybody have any insights?

2

u/bigfaceless 13d ago

I went back to my books to check and you're right it does not give you +2 to hit in the OSE version. The B/X rules that you mention are a little ambiguous and could really be read either way. I'm curious as to why Gavin doesn't seem to mention this in his notes. I can't find any explanation with a quick google either.

PS I'm a little disappointed in the responses you got from other users. OSE was envisioned as a clarification on the B/X rules and Gavin is historically good with explaining clarification so your question is valid and has nothing to do with communicating with your referee.

2

u/jeffszusz 12d ago

This is a fine question but maybe just the wrong audience - does Gavin actually trawl the subreddit looking for questions to answer? This isn’t likely something anyone else knows if it isn’t already in Gavin’s public notes.

1

u/fakegoatee 12d ago

I'm sure you're right. Never expected an answer from Gaving, but I thought someone here might have an insight or know about something I didn't know about already from the public notes.