Getting back to the original topic question, I think the point that was originally made by this particular player is that the unarmed combat doesn't allow for 2 relatively untrained fighters very much of a chance of hitting each other. Now, this probably isn't a situation you'd encounter much, since most PCs will probably have a decent Coordination+ DEX, as well as some Starfleet martial arts training.
Let's take an example, though, of good old Dr. Paul Klutz, who is hanging out in sickbay when Ensign Madhatter, sick from Denubian mind disease, attempt to attack the good doctor. With his paltry Coordination of 2, and a little starfleet training of +2, he has to get about a 1 in 3 chance (OK, that's probably not right but I forgot my probabilities book) of actually hitting the Ensign with a punch if his difficulty number is 8. Time to grab for the hypospray instead!
Now let's take the "2 kids in the mall" scenario - both relatively healthy, with coordination of 2, but no DEX bonuses or combat training. Each has less than a 1 in 6 chance of hitting the other one - they have to get a dramatic success, plus at least a 2 on the second die. This leaves the two kids basically tumbling over each other trying to make a decent hit but just looking like idiots. OK, still maybe close to realistic, but how about this alternative (based on suggestions by previuos posts) - you can make an untrained attack which only has to beat an opposed roll by the opponent - thus the two gents in the mall would hit each other about half the time. However, this kind of attack does much less damage - maybe 1d3 plus 1, or something along those lines. I realize that the term "meaningful damage" has been used, meaning that, OK, you might be "hitting" even when you miss, but you messed it up so bad it didn't hurt. This goes back to the old Armor Class rules of D&D, if you recall. I think it's more entertaining to actually get the hit, but know that it's going to be weak, at best. Also, if the same kid comes up against Chuck Norris, Chuck gets to use his entire martial arts specialization to add to his roll, meaning the kid has even less chance than he would of trying to do a "trained" strike roll with a difficulty of 8. You could also add your basic unarmed combat skill, so that, going back to the Starfleet example, the doc forgets his combat training and just swings wildly - he gets coordination plus 1 point for basic unarmed combat, but he only has to beat the Ensign's basic coordination, plus his martial arts skill.
For the most part i think this kind of rule would almost never come up, but it still might be nice to appease those who have problems with the high difficulty rolls.
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Lt. Frank Torpor
U.S.S. James T. Kirk
Have you ever watched 2 untrained kids fight. It is most pathetic. Usually the one who wins is the one who gets the lucky punch in first. This would be consistent with the higher attributes being more likely to hit than one with lower attributes. Generally when untrained people get into fights they are more likely to get in close and grapple with the opponent than stand and have a "proper" battle. I believe that unarmed combat in the ICON system is fairly accurate as it gives those skilled in the area more chances of success with difficult combinations and manueveurs. Untrained personnel can still hit but you don't want to get into a situation where you have to fight, doing so and you deserve everything you get.
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