Re: (TFT) Crossbows - Penetrating weapons suggestion

["Ty Beard" <tbeard@tyler.net>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Tapley" <mtapley@swri.edu>
To: <tft@brainiac.com>


> All,
> A possibly unrelated observation on penetrating weapons. My
> understanding is that ... [t]he actual ability of a penetrating
> weapon to hurt the target depends heavily (more so than for a "bashing"
> weapon) on what's at the bottom of the narrow, deep hole. Fatty tissue =>
> useless hit in a non-vital area;  aorta => death blow.

You have essentially described the conclusions on damage that Frank Chadwick
came to after reviewing a number of detailed after-action reports
(firefights on the US/Mexico border between US police/Border Patrol and
Mexican gangbangers). IOW, there really is nothing analogous to hit points
in The Real World.

Another point that's interesting to contemplate was the shocking disparity
in hits and effects between trained officers and untrained gangbangers. The
officers hit far more often and a much highre percentage of their hits were
disabling.

> Here's the suggestion: If a weapon is regarded as "penetrating",
> give it a damage roll like 4d6-8 rather than a roll like 1d6+3, and treat
> negative results as 0. Average damage is around 7 hits either way - but
the
> "penetrating" (4d6-8) weapon *could* do 16 points - whereas the "bashing"
> (1d6+3) will never do more than 9. On the other hand, the "bashing" weapon
> will do at least 4, while the penetrating weapon might do nothing (means
it
> went through the armor but missed the person inside).
>
> I think that captures at least some of what a "penetrating" weapon
> would do, without requiring any adjustments to the rules at all.

Not a bad idea. You could also halve the damage and allow triple damage on
3-5, double damage on 6-7 (or whatever).

But I oppose such "realistic" systems on enjoyment grounds. Hit points allow
players some control over their fates. These types of systems make dying a
simple case of bad luck most of the time. No fun IMHO.

--Ty Beard
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