[TML] Which combat system do you prefer?

[Richard Aiken]

On Tue, Jun 17, 2008 at 7:02 PM, Anthony Jackson <ajackson at iii.com> wrote:
> Richard Aiken wrote:
>
>> My acid test is "Does an average hit in the vitals from a heavy pistol
>> kill an unarmored character?"  If the answer is "Yes," I can use the
>> system.  If it's "No," I tinker with it until said weapon does become
>> lethal.
>
> I'm not at all convinced that the answer should be "Yes", though it
> depends on how you define "average"

Average = The average result from the damage dice concerned or from
whatever other source damage springs.  Remember that this is to the
"vitals" - against which most combat systems award extra damage - and
without any armor getting in the way.

> and "heavy pistol"

Heavy Pistol = The highest-calibre slugthrowing handgun commonly
available in the game, such as a .44 Magnum or .50 Desert Eagle.  I
don't normally count beam weapons as "pistols" for this purpose; these
are generally in a lethality class all their own.

 and for that
> matter "lethal".

Lethal = Kills him dead.  However, I can still find a system
acceptable if such a victim gets a "saving throw" against automatic
death.  But only if succeeding at it *postpones* his demise for a
little while, rather than assuring his continued survival.  A "save"
under these conditions should forestall death for only a very short
time, in order to give a nearby medic one (1) chance to successfully
keep the victim on this side of the grave.

-- 
Richard Aiken

"Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein