sps@drusd.UUCP (ShaplandSP) (05/16/85)
For critical hits, I use the tables provided in Hargrave's (sp) ARDUIN GRIMORE (c). I temper these with the "fumble factor" table from the same source. My implementaion is: When double damage is rolled (natural 20 on d20), a second D20 is rolled. If the result is 20, I then consult the critical hit table with percentile dice. These are not always fatal, but at least result in disfigurment or loss of limb. When a 1 is rolled, a second d20 is rolled. If the result is 1, I consult the fumble factor table with percentile dice. These can be rather amusing. Hit self. Hit adjacent party member. Hit another monster. Drop weapon. Fall to the ground, with and without stun. S.P. Shapland, aka Amlwch, Lord of the Karpian Dragons. drusd!sps 11655 N Logan St. Northglenn, CO 80233
csc@watmath.UUCP (Computer Sci Club) (05/17/85)
>For critical hits, I use the tables provided in >Hargrave's (sp) ARDUIN GRIMORE (c). >I temper these with the "fumble factor" table from the same source. >My implementaion is: > > When double damage is rolled (natural 20 on d20), > a second D20 is rolled. If the result is 20, > I then consult the critical hit table with > percentile dice. > When a 1 is rolled, a second d20 is rolled. > If the result is 1, I consult the fumble factor > table with percentile dice. > >S.P. Shapland, aka Amlwch, Lord of the Karpian Dragons. I do the same thing, but I use (2-level) for the second roll. Roll equal or above to critical hit or below to fumble. Higher level types don't hit themselves as often, and they hit real nasty more frequently. Gilles Dignard University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario
csc@watmath.UUCP (Computer Sci Club) (05/17/85)
That (2-level) should be (21-level). Gilles Dignard University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario
req@snow.UUCP (Russell Quin) (05/20/85)
> I'd like to ask for people's opinion on Critical Hits > (if you play a role-playing game that makes use of the concept). Do > Critical Hit systems speed combat or slow it down? We've only been using > a critical hit system for a month or two in a SF campaign, and contrary > to expectations, it has speeded our combat. Yes, you have to make an > extra roll to find where someone has been hit, but very often it means > that the players or their opponents go down a LOT faster and fighting > ends much sooner. Have other people found this, or is it just the way > we carry out melee? I've been using the Rolemaster cambat system for a few months. Briefly, most hits do a number of HitPoints damage, but a Critical Hit means a lookup on a table (e.g. slashing/crushing blow/puncture) which gives a description of a specific injury (sprained wrist etc...). The effect is that extra detail is given on criticals, less detail on other hits. The ToHit and Damage rolls are combined so that there is less dice rolling, and combat is generally MUCH more viscious than AD&D/RQ! -- ANYONE can die from a single blow! Critical hits can help to add an atmosphere of excitement; but it is not a bad idea to temper them with critical failures. From ecperience with AD&D, I'd suggest MAXIMUM damage on a critical success is simple & effective. If you use a table, remember that the detail you are adding may not be in the spirit of the (NOT blow-by-blow) combat system. Ask yourself whether a dagger could have got the same result on your table as a two-handed battle axe... > > As a matter of fact, how DO other people conduct melee? Tight time limits > on how long someone can think before acting? Fairly loose? Any gimmicks > that make it faster or more interesting? Time limits are only imposed by my impatience. But I do find irksome the player who looks up the spells in great detail before casting. A certain amount of consideration is appropriate, but not a full Simplex Mini-Max calculation based on Hit Die Of Enemy/Expected Amount Of Damage/Expected Duration of Melee/....... Aaaaargh! It helps many players if they are given a graphic representation of the situation; when I asked about the use of Artwork in frp, I found that many GMs use acetate/glass sheets to draw a quick map with a grease pencil or felt tip. I use a folder of blank computer paper from the ends of old printouts, so that I can save them from one session to another. Use of figures seems to help. -- ... mcvax!ukc!qtlon!flame!ubu!req Striving to promote the interproduction of epimorphistic conformability ....