Re: (TFT) Dinosaurs for TFT

["RMORGER" <RMORGER@mail.ev1.net>]

>Is Tyrannasaurus really smaller than Triceratops in terms of 
hexes?

No but T-Rex was an upright standing dinosaur so he would cover 
less area on a map (aka Giants) if he was laid out he would 
actually be larger than the Triceratops
>
>Seems to me that Triceratops would have a very serious armor 
rating
>from the front hexes (probably more that 6 vs. the base 3), unless
>you manage to hit a vulnerable part of the face.
>

Probably correct but the frill on a Triceratops was fairly light 
bone (lots of air holes vs dense bone) with large areas that were 
fairly thin. It was probably more for display than defense.
 
>Also I think if you are dealing with humans or other smaller
>combatants versus the upright giants such as T-Rex, you might
>want rules for what happens when they fall down. That is, I expect
>if a T-Rex dies while standing up, that it will fall in an
>unpredictable direction and might crush things that are nearby
>but not necessarily in the hexes it was standing in.
>
Agreed

>They look good and appropriate to me, though my detailed dino-
>knowledge is weak. You've sparked my interest though. I wonder
>about the high MA of the larger herbivores.
>

Again you have to think of large herbivores of today to figure 
movement, strength and dexterity. For them to live as many 
millions of years as they did they had to have been very good at 
what they did.

>Dan makes good points. A lover of detailed rules myself, I would
>say that some are in order here. Specifically, I'd think about:
>
>* Big dinos attacking big dinos might get a major bonus to hit,
>  or conversely, a serious penalty to hit smaller targets. Maybe.
>
Yes I also believe that a small target attacking a huge target is 
almost garaunteed a hit.

>* Inertia rules for big dinos running into things when they die,
>  clutz up, or on purpose. Some of those herbivores at high
>  speed would have massive kinetic energy.
>
And when you are talking about several tons smashing into you 
might just get an ouchee.

>* As Dan mentioned, damage, at least to smaller targets, by
>  massive tails.
>
As noted

>* A re-look at the TFT engagement rules, perhaps making them
>  more detailed for many-hex creatures, if necessary.
>
Creatures this large would not be engaged easily unless the 
opponents take up several hexes in the same way, or there are so 
many as to slow them down. I see the battle scene in front of 
Minas Tirith between the Rohirrim and Oliphants from the south as 
a good example of what we are talking about.(Lord of the Rings - 
Return of the King)

>* A re-look at the Shift maneuver for very large creatures.
>
Maybe but like above I think it is covered in ITL, AW, AM and 
probably doesnt need much tweaking if any.

>* Maybe some behavior rules. At IQ 3 and enormous size, their
>  tactical behavior is a very important factor. There should
>  be a big difference in the sophistication and variety of
>  their combat moves compared to, say, a dragon.
The IQ 3 is basically straight from the GURPS book and I am not 
real sure I agree with it. Most everything would be herd type 
mentallity though very little sophistication involved- 
1 if it is big enough to eat you run.
2 if it is faster than you dodge
3 if it faster and more agile than you go where it cant
4 if all else fails fight, preferably with help
5 if that fails be eaten

>
>If you make counters, I hope you post them somewhere. 8-D
>
Will be on the website

>Thanks for sharing - this is good stuff, even just to read.
>
Your most Welcome!
>PvK
>=====

>
Robert Morger 
Pangaea_TFT Fantasy RPG adventure 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pangaea_TFT/ 
Subscribe:  Pangaea_TFT-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  

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