Heh... yeah,. it is in the rules. Actually, I don't think I ever made it clear it was true for guns as well- though people nearly always use gun tricks when shooting anyway (or if they do not, it is people using back up weapons (so not with great skill) or multiple-person attacks, when -2 to hit really is not welcome!)
The official term for this is called 'snapping' the action (you will note the basic path power that makes any attack fast with no to hit penalty is called 'Snap of the Dragon'😉. The sort of gun actions you would be most likely to snap would be with shotguns and sniper rifles, I think- single shot unmodified attacks.
But as I think Coeus is thinking, in close combat very often a -2 to hit is worth the risk so you can take that one extra dodge and not lose an action after because of exertion!
Ok, I am going to move things on, loathe as I am to do so without Ares acting. I will make Rade's action simply to retreat inside with Coeus and Castor.
Note I am only advancing the gun battle in the bar- the fight upstairs remains behind you guys.
Ok, the bad guys act!
First of all, the ten shooters outside advanced in and shoot. This action they will again target the three in the entry area, but from now on they can target everyone in here, and everyone can target them!
Four attacks on Castor this time, three bursts each on the others (Castor got one less last time).
Interestingly enough, we have a gun jam in the first attack on Castor! One of those attackers will be an action clearing that.
Gah! And we also have a +5 on cast for a final result of 17, a hit! Another seven damage to you, I am afraid.
Blimey, I just rolled another gun jam against Coeus! No hits for him, though.
+6 is a hit on Rade though, for seven damage.
I think getting into cover would be of great help here, guys! Feel free to improvise; in these hardcore gunfights standing in the open really is not healthy. Mundanes don't have Eagle Eye...
Celsius, your opponent pumps his shotgun (cha-chink!) to gain +1 to hit (and an exertion) and fires! Boom! -2; a miss- a chunk of the bar blows up behind you, Celsius, as you scramble away, still keeping low.
We then have 10 other shooters still alive in the bar, and they will distribute their fire evenly on the five that have been firing at them!
San- you didn't post a defence. May want to remember that in future? You have been hit, for 5 damage.
One of the west side shooters clips you for 5 points as well, Celsius. You sure as heck want THEM killed; you are not in cover from the west side!
Ares, ironically (having not been around to act), is missed. Bullets everywhere, Ares! Time to get somewhere safe...
Burn, you will be happy to know you are still alive, though now exerted out- as is Castor.
Bad luck for Fire, who after al his good luck in getting to those guys and charging them down now takes a glancing shot for four damage! Went through your clothing that shot did, Fire. Bad omen- next one might be more dead on.
Well, these guys! are performing ok, seeing as thet are not hardcore SWAT dudes. They will do worse this turn though; the ones at the entry area are only two bursts left (and two of them have to clear jams!), and the ones at the east side tables have to reload!
A couple of reinforcements. Another shotgunner comes through that south door at you, Celsius, and another uzi guy is heading down the stairs! Two more uzi wielders come in from the toilets- at the West side.
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STATE OF PLAY AT START OF: First round, third action
BATTLE ONE: DOWNSTAIRS BAR AREA
At bar
San: 10/5/0
Celsius: 11/0/1 (in cover behind bar)
Ares: 5/0/1
1 goon with shotgun (south side of bar)
1 goon with shotgun Hit (4) (south side of bar)
1 goon with uzi (stairs)
Tables west of bar
6 goons with uzis
2 goons with uzis Hit (5)
Tables east of bar
2 goons with uzis ok
1 goon with uzi Hit (4)
1 goon with uzi Hit (2)
Burn: 7/0/5- exerted
Fire: 19/4/3
Entry area
9 goons with uzis
1 goon with uzi Hit (4)
Coeus: 15/8/0
Rade: 7/7/1
Castor: 12/14/3- exerted
--
BATTLE TWO: NI ZHAN'S OFFICE
Mors: 8/5/0
Cloud: 10/0/1
Heph: 14/0/0
13 goons armed with a variety of +3 damage weapons
Currently owed actions: Ares (2)
NOTE THAT THE NI ZHAN'S OFFICE BATTLE IS AN ACTION BEHIND EVERYONE ELSE! Cloud is busy but Heph and Mos still have to declare what they did in their second action there, and how they plan to defend. Remember to specify your targets (by weapon) like I asked! Just to make sure you do, any non-specified attack from Mors, Heph or Cloud will get -2 to hit!
Ok, but three of them get bonus attacks on you right now, Coeus, as you charge them down...
Darn it! One of them scores a hit, for another six damage!
Then you strike! Water Weapon and Awesome Downpour combine well, actually... your blade swirls and blurs as you swing around for your double attack...
(btw, an error from me I shall now correct, Awesome Downpour should cost 2 (else it is too much better than Swipe of the Bamboo, which is Mundanes only for the same cost))
Ah- you roll -2, Coeus, taking your final result on both to 14 after the Water Blur adds another 1.. A hit, and the Sword gets +1 on mundanes, and the total damage from the sword and your strength is worth another +1 to that... making it 16... OH! Just short. Both are Hit for 5! They fall back, badly cut, but not dead!
Ok, San, you open fire with your bursts, at -1 to hit on each. You roll -5 (doh!) and +2 (woo-hoo!) for an 8 and a 15. That is a miss, and a Hit for 4.
Good news is, though, that the one you missed dodged and is now exerted and will not fire this action!
No way to block bullets with swords, Cloud, but you can avoid gunfire just as easily as pounches anyway. BTW, no such defence as block, I'll treat that as defending.
Celsius- bursts are always three rounds, I am afraid! But it is irrelevant in any case as you have to spend this action reloading.
Fire, a +1 on your roll makes that goon VERY dead... kill him via any descriptive means you like!
when I jumped to my left side, to avoid the last shot (the one that just got me) I landed about 5 ft away from the goon I just killed, I made a few spins around my axe to approach him, when I was close to him I stretch out my sword at neck height, and I made a final spin
*next sound you hear is "tock" his head falling on the floor*