I'm perhaps slightly stretching the rules here, but IMO evasion is *very* close to a skill that I'd not practice as a hth spec, on paper I think I'd now only take it in the hopes of getting the counterpunch edge (with which I have no experience, though).

IIRC evasion is just a group feint (with maybe a higher chance of working than regular feint, but still redundant with it) and in practice situations where you'd actually want to use it are almost non-existant.

So here's a repost of an old idea to make evasion useful (from a past Santa Zulg: it didn't inspire him, though he misunderstood what I was going for). Basically make it similar to imperial defense (though there's an alternate/simpler suggestion at the end):

EVASION

syntax: evasion on/off

Hand-to-hand students may choose to focus on defensive techniques,
thus avoiding or deflecting blows aimed at them more efficiently.
However, while concentrating on keeping themselves out of their
opponent's reach they also have fewer chances for strikes of their
own. Feinting incoming attacks is also more effective while evading
blows.

See also: HAND TO HAND SPECIALIZATION, FEINT


- Effects of 'evasion on' (e.g. "You start focusing on defensive hand-to-hand techniques"):

1) improved chance of success for DODGE and PARRY/IRONHANDS skills
2) (large) penalties to THIRD and FOURTH ATTACK skills
3) improved chance of success on using the FEINT skill (which might also occasionally feint everyone targeting you)
4) wielding anything is equivalent to 'evasion off' (e.g. "You resume a less defensive fighting stance")

Additionally, COUNTERPUNCH edge would switch to trigger on FEINT.

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- An alternate idea is to include the COUNTERPUNCH edge in the skill by default:

EVASION

syntax: evasion

Careful use of terrain and open space allows the hand to hand student to
place themselves out of their opponent's reach. They will also take a free
swing at someone whose attack they negate using this skill.


- Although this would be superior to other similar 1 rnd damage skills (e.g. jab, serpentstrike) in that it also feints, I don't think that's unreasonable given that hth specs must forgo all weapon bonuses like +dam/+hit/vuln. exploitation etc.