Dumb mechanics question

[Faldred]

Okay... the topic today is the "Parry" skill.  Probably the most ignored NWN combat skill (although Taunt may come close), but not only do I think it could be tremendously useful, but it fits in very well with the character description I have for Trig (a hopless romantic longing to fight epic duels).

I just want to make sure I understand the mechanics of the skill, I'm pretty sure I know the answers, but I wanted to ask just to make sure.  So this leads me to my questions:

1) Parry is treated as an opposed check to the attack roll, right?  That is, if modified parry + d20 is >= modified attack + d20, then the attack is parried (up to parrying character's # attacks per round)?  I guess the real question here is whether or not I get to add d20 to my parry, or does my parry skill stand alone?

2) Does # attacks per round include an off-hand weapon?  I.e., a level 1 character dual-wielding should be able to parry up to 2 attacks per round, right?

3) Are there any other restrictions on when parry is not used, such as when flanked?  Obviously, being caught flat-footed or dazed, paralyzed, etc., would negate parry, but are the other situations to consider?

I'm really hoping Parry works like it should, because at level 2, Trig already has a Parry skill of 11 (5 base points in Parry, 4 from Improved Parry feat, 2 from DEX bonus), and I am planning on taking Skill Focus: Parry at level 3, and buying items to enhance the Parry skill...

[LordCove]

Good questions. I dont know, so I will wait for someone else to answer.
Dumb standard questions.....

Parry is automatic or to be selected?  Ive totally ignored Parry, as in the middle of battle I dont want to spend half my time trying to defend attacks when I should be making them. But I have noticed...eg, when being shot at by arrows.......that Sallaron parries some blows. Is this the use of Parry? Or standard defensive tactics...ie AC or Dodge?

[Olme]

An earlier thread on this:
  http://www.layonaraonline.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=15987&posts=8&highlight=parry&highlightmode=1

[Faldred]

Yeah, make that question 4 -- I've seen *parried* show up in the combat log for Zug...

Parry is supposed to be a selected skill, like Power Attack.

As for "trying to defend attacks when I should be making them", remember the riposite feature of Parry... if your Parry check succeeds by 10 or more, you get a free counter-attack at full AB.  With a high enough Parry skill, you'll never be hit (unless overwhelmed by too many enemies) and should be able to counter-attack frequently.  Also, think of party play -- the Parrying character engages the enemy defensively, warding off attacks while the party rogue is landing sneak attacks and the archers are just firing away from safety.

[Frendh]

I think *parried* is when a ranged weapon hits your weapon/shield. How this is determined
I have no idea of.

[DeadHead Fred]

At first glance, a character engaged defensively doesn't make much sense; that character can keep the enemy engaged so the rogue can get sneak attacks just by attacking and drawing the counterattack.  The enemy would go down faster with both of them hacking at it.  Sure, he might take more damage, but unless his parry skill is rather high anyway some attacks would get through, and there would be more of them since the enemy is taking longer to go down with just the rogue hacking away.

I think this could be useful, however, if you were fighting an enemy with acid sheath, or something similar.  Everyone else plugs away with missile weapons.  Basically, you want someone fighting the enemy who can keep him occupied, but not get hit and not hit the enemy.  If he's attacking the enemy, he'll take the damage from the acid each time he hits.  If he just stands there, the enemy will go after whoever's actually damaging him.  But if he's parrying, the enemy will continue to focus on him, but the defender doesn't take the damage from acid from his own attacks (except for riposte).

Disclaimer: I haven't actually tried this, but it sounds reasonable to me...

DHF

[Weeblie]

Parry is very, very useful if:

1. You fight a very small number of enemies (one or two).
2. You have high dex.
3. You have picked Skill Focus (Parry) and Improved Parry.
4. You have items that gives bonus to parry.

Parrying everything except enemies rolling 20-ish is quite nice, in my opinion.

Most people tend to prefer expertise as it's better for 95% of the encounters (it's very rare that you only fight a single monster, after all!). Parry is extremly useful in duels (1 vs 1) though.