Cover
Cover is a form of Passive Defense against ranged attacks. It applies when a physical obstacle blocks a meaningful portion of the target from the attacker’s position.
Cover provides Cold Bonus Dice:
| Cover | Bonus Dice |
|---|---|
| Light | 1d6 |
| Medium | 2d6 |
| Heavy | 3d6 |
| Full | Special |
Light Cover leaves much of the target exposed, such as a low wall, narrow tree, or vehicle door.
Medium Cover protects roughly half of the target, such as a sturdy barricade, window frame, or vehicle engine block.
Heavy Cover leaves only a small portion of the target exposed, such as a firing slit, deep trench, or substantial barrier.
Full Cover completely blocks direct attacks from the protected direction. A target behind Full Cover cannot normally be targeted unless they expose themselves or the attack can pass through or around the obstacle.
Cover only protects against attacks coming through the obstacle. An attacker with a clear angle ignores it.
If Cover provides enough Hits to stop an attack, the attack strikes or is intercepted by the obstacle.
Taking advantage of available cover does not normally require an action. The GM determines the level of Cover based on the obstacle, the target’s position, and the attacker’s angle.
Shields
A shield must be drawn and wielded to provide protection.
When defending against a melee attack, a character may Block with a shield by using Melee as their Active Defense. Roll the shield’s Defense Bonus Dice with the defense test. If the test succeeds, add the resulting Bonus Hits to the Active Defense.
If the Block succeeds but the attack still gets through, the shield’s Shield Armor reduces the resulting damage. Shield Armor does not apply if the character Dodges, fails the Block, or cannot reasonably place the shield between themselves and the attack.
A shield may also be used as Cover against ranged attacks. Spend 1 AP to take cover behind the shield and choose the direction it protects. The shield then provides its listed Cover until the character moves, changes facing, lowers the shield, or otherwise stops presenting it toward that direction.
Cover provided by a shield is Passive Defense and follows the normal Cover rules.