Combat Distances, I just don't get it

[Joker]

Hi!

I am having difficulties in understanding the combat distances rules.

I've got close combat zone and distant combat zone. Is there only one close combat zone and distant combat zone and you have to be either in the first or the second zone? Or could there be several close combat zones? What do I do if the combatans spread over a larger battlefield?

Example: I've got some archers and sword-fighters fighting vs. the player characters. Some of the player characters move over to the group of archers, engaging them in close combat. Do I have now two close combat zones, while the archers could still attack the player characters in the first close combat zone over distance? If it is so, why I don't use a map of the area? (Like Savage Worlds, D&D.)

Those combat zones reminded me of the combat rules in Classic Traveller or some FATE Rpgs, but I really don't get it how they are meant (by the book) to be used in Qin. Some explanations - or an example of an combat - would be very helpful.

[Kairos]

I wouldn't overthink those rules too much -- they're really just thumbnails to determine relative distances between combatants and do not merit a tactical map.

Combat zones are relative to each combatant. The close combat zone for a given combatant comprises the distance they can travel in a round and still attack-- anything else is distance.

It might be more helpful to think in terms of being engaged vs unengaged in close combat since "so long as none decide to end the combat, they remain within the close combat zone" (63). If I decide to stop fighting and get beyond my opponent's reach, I'm in the distance zone. This is where a high Water score and Six Directions provide an advantage: you can effectively disengage from close combat by being able to move farther in a round than your opponent can, so you can essentially decide when to call it quits.

[Joker]

OMG. I was writing a post declining your answer, but then it hit me. Sorry, I am no native speaker and I completely misunderstood the word "party" in the rules. It's now more clear to me, thank you very much.

[Kairos]