Post originally by Wulf Corbett at 2004-02-19 13:50:04
Converted from Phorums BB System

Well, assuming you mean "Do we know how it works" rather than "Do we know why here are so many questions" :-)

There is a small section adressing exactly this question in HQ (tucked away in the GM's section p184). Basically, the secret is to determine exactly what the contest is about. The archer wants to skewer the target. If the target can get to the archer, he wants to skewer him too. As the archer loses AP, the target is getting closer - and a bow is a damn bad choice of melee weapon. If the target cannot close, he may instead be attempting to get to cover. The archer's AP loss represents the target being better hidden, or getting closer to cover.

Contests in HQ need not be balanced, so long as they're opposed. A 'defeat' in a combat contest need not represent damage or death, it only represents defeat. Exactly what SORT of defeat depends on the intent of the winner. Damage, capture, driving off, forcing surrender, getting away (yes, running away CAN be a victory), etc. AP loss represents one side isn't getting his way, the other is.

Wulf