Disarm

You can try to smack or grab the weapon out of someone's hand. This obviously only works on manufactured weapons, and not those that are part of an opponent's body. For instance, working a sword out of someone's grasp can be done, but relieving an angry bear of its claws is unlikely. The held object doesn't need to be a weapon, a character can be disarmed of any object they hold in hand.

Any weapon can be used to disarm a defender, even ranged weaponry or your bare hands. Some weapons are better at disarming than others. A whip or chain is well-suited to this task; weapons such as these list a bonus in the Equipment chapter. Some weapons, specifically those that are held with two hands, are better at resisting a Disarm and list a resistance bonus.

With Another Weapon

The attacking character must make a Called Shot against the held object, therefore taking a penalty of −2. Ranged weaponry incurs a penalty of −5 due to the extreme difficulty of hitting the held object at a distance. The defender makes an Evasion Roll as usual. If the attacker succeeds, he rolls a Disarm Attempt. This is a Thievery check plus any Disarm bonus granted by the weapon used. For example, a whip has a +3 bonus to Disarm.

Disarm Attempt

+

AGI

+

Thievery*

+

Weapon's disarm bonus

The defender then tries to hold on. This is a Grip check plus any Disarm resistance bonus granted by the object held. For example, a scythe has a +2 resistance bonus because one holds it with two hands.

Defend against a Disarm

+

MUS

+

Grip*

+

Weapon's disarm resistance bonus

If the attacker's result is greater than the defender's result, the defender's weapon is dropped to the ground.

* As mentioned in the Grip skill, if the combatants have different Size scores, each should add its Size Muscle Bonus when attempting or defending against a Disarm.

Example

Josh's character Risp uses a whip to try to disarm an enemy who carries a scythe.

Josh's attack roll (with Called Shot penalties) is 22 The enemy's Dodge result is 20 Josh's Thievery result is a 15 The enemy's Grip result is a 21

The enemy keeps his scythe (darn!)

With Your Bare Hands

Disarming someone of an object without using a weapon works a little differently. As above, the attacking character makes a Called Shot against the held object, and the defender makes an Evasion Roll. If the attacker succeeds, he simply rolls a Grip check. Hand-to-hand does not grant any bonus to Disarm.

The defender makes their own Grip check plus any Disarm resistance bonus granted by the object held. If the attacker's result is greater than the defender's result, the attacker snatches the object away from the defender.

Using your bare hands also allows you to try to snatch objects worn by the defender instead of just held, such as something in a pocket or pouch.

Using Damage

Instead of a Disarm attempt, it may be easier to make a Called Shot to the hand (a −5 penalty), in the hopes that doing so will cause the defender to drop the weapon being held. Upon a successful Called Shot to the hand, the defending character must make a Grip check against a DL of 10 + any damage dealt or drop the weapon. Upon sufficient damage, the GM may rule that the defender's hand is severed clean at the wrist, and the weapon and hand fall in gruesome fashion.