An attack roll determines if your character manages to strike and harm his intended target. The type of attack he launches determines the dice pool that you roll, as follows.
- Close Combat: Up close and personal, this includes unarmed combat (Strength + Brawl) and melee (Strength + Melee). Unarmed combat includes something as raucous as a barroom fight or something as organized as a boxing match. Opposing characters use their bodies to fight and must be within reach of each other (one yard). During melee, opponents use hand-held weapons, which may include knives, broken bottles, tire irons, swords or hastily snatched chairs. Maximum melee distance ranges from one to two yards.
Depending on the weapon or style of attack used and your character's particular proficiency, Dexterity instead of Strength is combined with Weaponry. Your character uses precision rather than brute force to strike home. The intent is still to inflict harm, though.
- Ranged Combat: This type of armed combat involves projectile weapons (Dexterity + Firearms) such as guns, crossbows or spear guns. Or it involves thrown objects (Dexterity + Athletics). Range for firearms varies based on the weapon. Range for thrown weapons depends on the attacker's capabilities. In either case, the target must be in sight.
