Defensive and Deflection existed before Parry and Reflect, but I think that Parry and Reflect are a better way of handling it than just adding a Setback die.

My thought is that the Defensive quality gives the character +1 Parry (and 1 Melee Defense?), while the Deflection quality gives the character +1 Reflect (and 1 Ranged Defense?).

This would make something like the M3 Bulwark shield much more useful because instead of just adding 2 Defense (both) it would give the wielder Parry 2 and Reflect 2 (and 2 Defense?), and if they are a Jedi who already has Parry and Reflect, it just makes them even better.

Edit: Or perhaps it should reduce the Strain cost to activate Parry/Reflect by 1 per rank to a minimum of one, in addition to providing Defense. This wouldn't give or increase Parry/Reflect, and just make it easier to use.

Thoughts?

19 minutes ago, P-47 Thunderbolt said:

Defensive and Deflection existed before Parry and Reflect, but I think that Parry and Reflect are a better way of handling it than just adding a Setback die.

My thought is that the Defensive quality gives the character +1 Parry (and 1 Melee Defense?), while the Deflection quality gives the character +1 Reflect (and 1 Ranged Defense?).

This would make something like the M3 Bulwark shield much more useful because instead of just adding 2 Defense (both) it would give the wielder Parry 2 and Reflect 2 (and 2 Defense?), and if they are a Jedi who already has Parry and Reflect, it just makes them even better.

Thoughts?

I see them as lesser versions that can come with weapons

11 hours ago, P-47 Thunderbolt said:

Defensive and Deflection existed before Parry and Reflect, but I think that Parry and Reflect are a better way of handling it than just adding a Setback die.

My thought is that the Defensive quality gives the character +1 Parry (and 1 Melee Defense?), while the Deflection quality gives the character +1 Reflect (and 1 Ranged Defense?).

This would make something like the M3 Bulwark shield much more useful because instead of just adding 2 Defense (both) it would give the wielder Parry 2 and Reflect 2 (and 2 Defense?), and if they are a Jedi who already has Parry and Reflect, it just makes them even better.

Edit: Or perhaps it should reduce the Strain cost to activate Parry/Reflect by 1 per rank to a minimum of one, in addition to providing Defense. This wouldn't give or increase Parry/Reflect, and just make it easier to use.

Thoughts?

Both options would be quite a boost in power, possibly unbalancing so.

I would say keep Defensive and Deflection as is, because Parry and Reflect are (for the most part) meant to be used for force users. Defensive and Deflection can be qualities on certain items (for example, the new Mandalorian shield that came in Fall of Republic) that give the user said defense.

Ones a passive benefit, the other is an active action taken by the user.

Parry and Reflect are, at least initially, designed to be a counter to people wielding lightsabers (or any other weapon with a Breach rating). It's a way to subtract incoming damage when soak isn't applicable. A character with a decent Parry rank and good soak can be extremely difficult to threaten in combat. Also, keep in mind that Reflect is a Force talent, which means that you need a Force rating of at least 1 to use it.