Under "Weapon Skill", one of the Specializations you can choose is 'Parry with One Handed Weapon', or 'Parry with Two Handed Weapon'. Being a Specialization, you would receive a Fortune Dice when using this Specialization.

However, with the Parry Action itself - you don't roll dice - you're actually adding Misfortune Dice to your attacker's pool.

So how does this Specialization actually work?

Thanks!

Indytims

It works if you make some kind of check where parry would be appropriate. For instance when making an active check. It may also be a prerequisite for some actions. Can't remember if the advanced active defences use it. Parry specialization may not be so easy to use, but I could see a lot of uses of a dodge specialization when trying to avoid something in a non-combat situation.

You could also house rule that having one of the defense specializations add an extra misfortune to the attackers dice pool when using the coresponding active defence. Since the hit rate og wfrp 3rd ed. is quite high, this might actually be a good idea. Perhaps limit it so that only one specialization can be used for any one attack, so if you used improved parry and dodge against one attack you'd add two challenge dice and one misfortune die. If used against two seperate attacks however one challenge and one misfortune would be added to each attack however.

I houseruled:

parry/block/dodge specializations add +1 additional black die to the pool while defending against an attack.

Same house rule here, although I also ruled that against a single attack only one specialization can apply.

Was there not a clarification on parry/block/dodge that said hey werent to be used with the action cards as they werent the same thing?

I am sure I read that. Found it in the Errata

Specialisation: Active Defences

Several skills indicate specialisations most commonly associated

with the Dodge, Parry, and Block active defences. These specialisa tions

do not affect the use of the active defence cards.

However, if the GM asks the player to make a skill check based on

dodging, parrying, or blocking something (such as in a case outside

of a direct incoming attack directed against the character) the extra

fortune die would be added to the dice pool.

These specialisations are noted in the skill descriptions because a

particular specialisation may be a pre-requisite for certain action

cards in the future.

Not sure how you parry something out of combat, most people dont have their weapon drawn while walking down the street.

Yep according to RAW the specializations don't add anything to defences. I like the house rule however as defence is needed, plus it's not just something you get for free.

Yep according to RAW the specializations don't add anything to defences. I like the house rule however as defence is needed, plus it's not just something you get for free.

This is very reasonable - I like it.

Was there not a clarification on parry/block/dodge that said hey werent to be used with the action cards as they werent the same thing?

I am sure I read that. Found it in the Errata

Specialisation: Active Defences

Several skills indicate specialisations most commonly associated

with the Dodge, Parry, and Block active defences. These specialisa tions

do not affect the use of the active defence cards.

However, if the GM asks the player to make a skill check based on

dodging, parrying, or blocking something (such as in a case outside

of a direct incoming attack directed against the character) the extra

fortune die would be added to the dice pool.

These specialisations are noted in the skill descriptions because a

particular specialisation may be a pre-requisite for certain action

cards in the future.

Not sure how you parry something out of combat, most people dont have their weapon drawn while walking down the street.

You can theoretically use a "parry" skill outside of combat and without a true 'weapon'. Remember, a "Parry" skill specialization is not the same as the active defense, and therefore does not have the requirement to have a melee weapon equipped. You are simply making a non-combat Weaponskill check where being skilled at parrying would be a benefit. In essence, in a non-combat situation you are holding some item, and attempting to redirect something else from its intended path using that item in an active manner.

Say you are holding a spoon during an important dinner, and a meatball fell out of the bowl and was rolling towards the important lady sitting next to you. You want to impress her, so you ask to make a check to knock aside the meatball before it can ruin her dress. A bit silly example, of course, but a quick one that shows it *can* be done and without a weapon. No, it probably won't be common or necessarily 'easy' to run into situations where a non-combat parry would apply. However, if you set your mind to it, it can happen.

I sometimes create situations to expressly allow parry, dodge, block specializations matter. Basically thinking about other circumstances those verbs apply.

Dodge is easiest, "Boulder coming down hill at you, Coordinate check to dodge out of way, dodge specialization helps".

Block and Parry are a bit harder. I have had "the burning cultist is trying to grab onto you and engulf you in his living flame attack, Coordination (again) to avoid him - you can use shield to block him from reaching you, Block specialiazation", or a Athlethics or Reslience check as "he tries to push past you and run out, you can try to block his exit"

Party, has not come up, but could be Coord to avoid dart trap, parry can help deflect a dart. For parry actually thinking of the verb 'deflect' is more useful.