Net

DX/Hard

Default: Cloak-5.

This is the ability to use a net as a thrown or melee weapon.

A net is a thrown entangling weapon. The target may dodge or parry it. If he successfully parries with a cutting weapon, he damages the net; treat a net of any size as a diffuse object with DR 1 and normal HP for its weight. If the target fails to defend, he is entangled, and cannot move or attack until freed.

To escape, the victim requires at least one free hand, and must make three successful DX-4 rolls. Each attempt counts as a Ready maneuver, during which time the victim may take no other actions. Animals roll at an extra -2, as do humans with only one hand available; rolls to escape from a small net are at +3. If the victim fails three consecutive rolls, he becomes so entangled that he must be cut free.

It is also possible to escape a net by damaging it. The victim can only use attacks with reach “C,” but they hit automatically. Use the Breaking a Weapon rules (p. 401) – but treat a net as diffuse (see Injury to Unliving, Homogenous, and Diffuse Targets, p. 380).

You may also use a small net as a melee weapon. It has a reach of 1 or 2 yards. Handle the attack as per Lariats (above) and the victim’s attempt to break free as per Bolas (p. 410).