Re: (TFT) Some Thoughts on HTH

[raito@raito.com]

Quoting Todd Roseberry <paleryder1@verizon.net>:

> As for why a +4 DX to hit, I think it is easier to hit if you're grappling
> and it allows for targeted shots. Think of two warriors "embracing" while
> attacking with knives. In "real life", they both are probably dead. In
> fantasy gaming, one may get a hit in first. First rule about knife fighting
> is- never get in one! I don't know if there is a second rule. 

But it is not as easy to hot for the same sort of damage as when the figure is
adjacent. There isn't as much room to swing. 

And I've been knifeless in a knife fight. It's not all that certain that both
are probably dead. 

> Apart from edged weapons in HTH, very little damage can be USUALLY be done
> in HTH unless you are trained. Sure, someone could mount the opponent and
> bash his head into the floor until it comes apart but a "stun" or something
> usually precedes this. Training usually teaches how to hit in close
> quarters, hit vital or particularly effective targets, pressure points,
> choking, joint locks/joint tearing and throws. This is what UC talents
> represent. 

So how much training does a regular weapon Talent give in HTH? Also, 
the system
is rather biased towards striking damage, and doesn't count rending damage,
like most grapplers inflict. 

> ground. With skilled fighters, all of this could be easily represented by
> modifying die rolls based upon the differences in the levels of training. 

Even entering on a good boxer is difficult. 

> UC talents, whether in HTH or not, should allow for more damage, at least
> against unarmored or lightly armored opponents. Against armored opponents,
> damage from striking could/should be limited for chainmail and above,
> although targeted striking to "vulnerable" and unarmored targets could be
> considered. I suppose higher UC talents would be allowed to inflict damage
> against an opponent with any type of armor. Most "low level" guys just
> aren't going to punch full metal plate. I particularly like the nerve strike
> in one of the text UC talents. Grapplinge damage (immobilization and joint
> damage) would probably be effective, perhaps even more against a guy who is
> adjDX-challenged due to heavy armor. 

I disagree. The amount of armour on the opponent shouldn't matter all 
that much. 
I can still break an arm in armour.  But the mechanic for it should 
probably be
that armour counts, because it counts everywhere else, and all things being
equal, it's a bit harder to get a good damagine grip on someone in plate. It's
not that there aren't places to grab, there's plenty of those, but a 
lot of the
grips that one gets used to getting on the unarmoured aren't there. 

> UC talents should be useable outside HTH for anyone even in armor. UC
> talents in HTH should be useable by anyone with leather armor or less on. 

UC Talents ought to be effective regardless of armour worn. I'm convinced that
the equivalent training in the real world works regardless of armour. 
It's only
to keep D&D Monks from taking over the world that they don't get to 
wear armour. 

Neil Gilmore
raito@raito.com
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