Garrotes

A “garrote” is a cord or wire used
for strangling. You can only use it on
an unaware or helpless victim, and
you must attack from behind (this
often requires Stealth rolls!).
Once you are in position, roll
against Garrote skill to hit. You must
target the neck, at the usual -5 to hit.
In most cases, your target is unaware,
so you can safely make an All-Out
Attack (Determined) for +4 to hit.
The victim may attempt to parry
with his hand or a ready close-combat
weapon, but he does so at -3. Unless
he has Combat Reflexes, he is most
likely mentally stunned, for an addi-
tional -4 to his defense roll. On a suc-
cess, he manages to put his hand or
weapon between his throat and the
garrote. The hand takes no damage
unless you are using a wire garrote.
On the turn of the attack and every
subsequent turn, you may choke the
victim (see Actions After a Grapple,
p. 370), and get +3 to ST in the ensu-
ing Quick Contest. Treat the damage
as crushing (¥1.5 to the neck) for a
rope garrote, cutting (¥2 to the neck)
for a wire one. In addition, your victim
starts to suffocate (see Suffocation,
p. 436). To break free, the victim must
win a Quick Contest of ST-5, Judo-3,
or Wrestling-3 against your Garrote
skill.