So as i understand it if an npc, with say a blaster rifle, is engaged with a player with a vibro-blade all that npc has to do to get a unhindered shot is to spend a maneuver to disengage? And this could go on ad nauseum?

Player with Vibroblade engages and attacks.

NPC with blaster rifle disengages and shoots.

Player with Vibroblade engages....

As per the rules, yes. But, none of this happens in a vacuum. When suddenly the rifleman finds that he has disengaged himself to the edge of a cliff drop, the vibroblademaster might be able to have a little fun if he scores a Triumph...

You could always add a Setback die to the disengaging character's next roll to simulate how he has to mind not getting stabbed in the back while running away. Not to mention how... unpleasant ... things could become if he rolls some Threat or, heaven forfend, a Despair.

So as i understand it if an npc, with say a blaster rifle, is engaged with a player with a vibro-blade all that npc has to do to get a unhindered shot is to spend a maneuver to disengage? And this could go on ad nauseum?

Player with Vibroblade engages and attacks.

NPC with blaster rifle disengages and shoots.

Player with Vibroblade engages....

Exactly right, yes. This means he cannot use his maneuver to aim, assume a guarded stance or move further away without spending 2 strain every time. I tend to think of disengage as a "maneuver tax", and it's pretty a nasty one when you really want to do something else on your turn.

Assuming there is some spatial data available (a map, a description of the area...something), eventually you'll need to have people describe where the heck they're going with a disengage. Just like there might be a situation where taking cover isn't available to some participants in a dust-up.

Example:

Two people are on opposite sides of a narrow cathar walk. One is armed with the scariest axe ever and means biddness. The other has a wicked tricked out blaster. The entire setting is no more than short range (unless someone goes vertical at which case you could go to medium up or extreme down (ie splat).

The axe-maniac goes first and spends a maneuver to engage with the blaster user and uncorks an a--- beating of a lifetime. The individual with the gun is now in quite a pickle. As a GM I'd kubitz with them a bit to try and come up with a way that they could use the Disengage manuever to get past the axe-crazy if they so chose. There'd be some opposed athletics action for the blaster person to shove past the melee combatant...and I'd probably let them know I'd plan to flip a darkside point because a Despair would be just the thing to spice up the night ... and send someone plumetting into the energy vortex at extreme range below.

The player might then weigh their options, make peace with their dear and fluffy lord...flip their own destiny point to upgrade their ability pool, take the aim maneuver, spend 2 strain to aim again...and unload AutoFire on the axe-crazed maniac and hope for the best.

So yeah...you can engage, disengage, engage, disengage ad-nauseum. But that's about as much fun as watching paint dry, and is sort of like driving a Ferrari around town in first gear. Play the game mechanics in context , not the system in a vacuum .

A narrow cathar walk? I'm not sure if that was intended but it's funny all the same

If you just describe it in a boring fashion, of course it will be boring. Be creative with describing how you disengage.

Also, have the rifleman punch the vibro wielder in the face. Disorient and knockdown on all fists. (Or described as the butt of the rifle)