Just a quick query I have. I wondered how others translated it...

Using Akirvas, the Dark Eldar from Purge the Unclean, he has Ag 55, Unnatural Agility x2, and no Dodge skill. Using the Unnatural Characteristics explanation in DotDG, I can use one of two possible Dodge rules:

Version 1. A Dodge roll is usually unmodified which could be interpretted as being Challenging (+0). Thus, with UAx2 I make it at Ordinary (+10). I'd therefore need to score under (55/2)+10 = 33 or less to Dodge.

Version 2. I roll half my Agility (23) and, if successful, I add 2 DoS to the roll.

Now, using Version 1, I increase my chance of Dodging one Melee attack, or a Singlefire shot from a Ranged weapon. But, using Version 2, my Dodge vs Singlefire weapons and Melee is just as likely as if I didn't have and Unnatural Agility, yet if I pass this roll I'm more effective at avoiding Semi and Full Auto attacks.

Any ideas?

P.S. I'm assuming that adding 2 DoS only occurs if I PASS the test? Otherwise I'd never fail a Dodge roll vs melee or Single Fire unless my opponent also has Unnatural Agility.

According to the strict letter of the rules (Dark Heresy p332), your Version 2 is correct.

Unnatural characteristics do not modify the Difficulty of a test.

Page 226 of the Inquisitor's Handbook states that for a skill test each level of Unnatural (X) will give you reduce the difficulty by one step. The extra 2 DoS only come into it on opposed tests, which isn't what a dodge roll is.

So... which is it?

I'd go with the IH since it's the later publication. You could always go with both: Unnatural Agility makes dodge tests easier and grants 2 additional DoS on a pass - extremely useful when dodging the attacks of those pesky acolytes and their autoguns.

Space Monkey said:

It's not a contradiction. Dodge tests aren't opposed (they're conditional - you make the test if the enemy hits, rather than opposing his attack roll), so they don't gain bonus Degrees of Success from Unnatural Agility.

Thus, as per the expanded Unnatural Characteristic rules in The Inquisitor's Handbook, a normal attempt to Dodge by someone with Unnatural Agility (x2) would be one step easier than if they didn't have the trait. Thus, an Ag 45 Dark Eldar Warrior passes an untrained Dodge test on a 33.

That'll do me!

Thanks peeps!