The SimChamber Arts of War: Combo Attacks

[Aslan Cross]

A wise man once said, "Fighting without an army is called a duel, and you'll lose a duel if your enemy comes expecting a war." That may have come from Magic: The Gathering, but the same is true for the SC. There is always strength in numbers, and especially if your mech can pull off Combo Attacks. This section should enrich your knowledge regarding:


What Combo Attacks are and how they can be executed
Restrictions

[Aslan Cross]

What are Combo Attacks?

Combo Attacks are devastating maneuvers that require more than one unit to execute them. A number of them hit multiple times.

How do I know if my mech can perform a Combo Attack?

Simple. The mech stats themselves tell you. For example:

Dom

Statistics:
HP: 40, EN: 20, IS: 3

Weapons:
1) Heat Saber (M)- 10 damage
2) Scatter Beam Gun (BSV)- 5 damage/EN, PARALYZE
3) Giant Bazooka (P)- 30 damage, 8 rounds

Combo Attacks:
1) Jetstream Attack - 60 damage x3, 6 EN

Inherent Abilities:
1) Usable by Sergeants or higher.
2) Countercut
3) Dom cannot be used in space.
4) Jetstream Attack: Target's DC +5. Must have two other allied Doms to execute this attack.

The Dom is one of the few RR units that can perform a Combo Attack. The Jetstream Attack is based the infamous killer maneuver that the Black Tri-Stars perform in Mobile Suit Gundam. This particular attack takes advantage of the Dom's incredible hovering speed and pounds the hapless target with a rapid sequence of attacks.

Now, other mechs will have the same "Combo Attacks" section in their stats. As long as it has a "Combo Attacks" section, you know it can perform them.


Who can use Combo Attacks?

Generally, there are no restrictions on who can use Combo Attacks. (The Jetstream attack has no class-restrictions) Any SimChamber pilot can use them. Be aware, however, that certain Combo Attacks do require a pilot class. Naturally, a Combo Attack requires the other units that it involves. Using the above example, the Jetstream attack requires three allied Doms.

Okay, so when can I perform a Combo Attack?

Treat Combo Attacks as normal attacks in this sense. You perform them during your attack phase, just like any other attack. And yes, you can perform a Combo Attack even if the other units involved have performed their respective turns.


That sounds spiff. What's the catch?

A Combo Attack consumes the resources of all the units involved. Using the Jetstream example, if one of the Doms executes it, 6 EN is drained from each of them.

Should you have an ability or item that raises or lowers resource costs, the raise/reduction only effects what YOU pay. All other participants pay the full amount, unless they have an ability or item which affects resource costs.

Gotcha. So when can't I use the Combo Attack?

The only factors that may prevent you from using a Combo Attack are:

1. You don't meet the requirements of the attack. That means (again milking the Jetstream example), that if there are only two Doms on one team, they can't perform the attack.

2. At least one of the units involved has insufficient resources. That means, if one of the Doms has less than 6 EN, the Jetstream Attack is a no-go.

Anything else I need to know?

If you are allied with several units that can perform Combo Attacks with you, you must note which one you're teaming up with for that attack. For example (I promise this is the last time we'll be using the Jetstream example), Gaia, Mash, Ortega and Haman are all on the same team, piloting Doms. Gaia decides that he'd rather have the young, cute Haman execute the Jetstream attack instead of scarred ol' Mash. Gaia's attack phase will appear as follows:

Attack Phase
Combo Attack: Jetstream Attack (Ortega, Haman)
Target/Damage: Amuro/ 60 damage x3
DC modifiers: +5
Resources Spent: 6 EN

The purpose of this rule is to determine whose resources will be consumed.

This concludes our session on Combo Attacks.