CLOSE COMBAT
When you attack in close combat, you use the MELEE skill. Close combat usually happens at ARM'S LENGTH. With some weapons, you can attack from NEAR distance (see the weapons, below).
WEAPONS : When you enter close combat, it is wise to have a weapon in hand. Weapons give you a Gear Bonus for your roll (see page 49), increase the damage caused and allow you to perform actions that are harder or even impossible without a weapon. Several close combat weapons are described in the table on page 101.
SHIELD : Carrying a shield is also very useful in close combat. You can PARRY attacks with it, but you can also use it to SHOVE opponents to the ground. Shields are described in the table on page 106.
STANCE : To be able to attack an opponent in close combat, you have to stand up on your feet. If you are prone, you must first spend a fast action to GET UP before you can attack. The exception is the SHOVE action, which can be done even if you are prone. While you are prone, standing enemies get a +2 modification on all close combat attacks against you.
ACTIONS : There are several actions to choose from in close combat, all of which are described below. Different actions are effective in different situations, depending on what your opponent is doing. Some actions require a weapon with a certain feature.
REACTIVE ACTIONS
When you attack a prepared opponent in close combat, he can DODGE or PARRY to avoid being hit. Read more below about how this works. The defender must declare if she is going to DODGE or PARRY before you roll for your attack. DODGE and PARRY are called reactive actions, since they are performed immediately, and they break the normal initiative order in the round. However, they do count as per usual against your two available actions in the round (one slow and one fast action). For every reactive action you perform, you get one less action when it is your turn, and once you have used both your actions during the round, you can no longer DODGE or PARRY (talents can modify this, however).