@gentlefish, that's kinda what I had in mind.
Like this: the bonus applies to my attack, but if I fail the attack, the bonus is not included.
However, the rules are a bit more straightforward about attacks, it seems:
Both characters use fight for their action that round. Whichever gets the highest total score damages the other. in which case, sy's explanation makes sense.
To mitigate that, I'll either have to take a heavier penalty to endure, or make the penalty last a second round. PW did say I might need to go negative on endure.
there are a other considerations though. For instance, we are discussing this as if one-on-one fights are all we will encounter. this technique is good against a single target, so It's not a flat +20 fight. it's a +20 fight against this particular target. Dropping endure drops it against all enemies who might attack in that round (or the next, if we went that route)
So, options for a better write up:
+20 fight, -30 endure, -5 stamina. Fight bonus is against one opponent only. effects last one round.
or
+20fight, -20 endure, -5 stamina. Fight bonus is against one target only, for one round only. Endure malus lasts two rounds.
or
+20 fight, -20 endure, -(x) Move - 5 stamina. Fight bonus is against one target only, for one round only. User is unable to dodge, disengage, or whatever the following round.
or
+20 fight, -40 endure, -5 stamina. Bonus is against one target only, for one round. On a successful strike, target is stunned (or has his endure score reduced, or some other effect) (this is practically a different technique though).
or
+20 fight, -30 endure, -5 stamina. Bonus is against one target only, for one round. technique cannot be used again until the user has had time to rest.