 January 2, 2014 - 12:04pm | Some time ago (years) I wrote some supplemental rules for the original AD rulebook and have been employing them into actual gameplay with much success. The supplemental info is contained in a 28-page word file, and I figured I'd discuss each rule, individually, at you guys for critiquing and possible improvement. The first is Critical Hits. Critical Hits Critical hits are defined as attacks that incur more than just stamina damage (ie movement penalties, sight penalties, combat penalties, etc). There are three means by which a target sustains a critical hit.
For example, Vrootle fires his blaster at a thug with 40 Stamina (his chance to hit is 43%). Vrootle rolls a 43, resulting in 20 points of damage. The amount of damage exceeds 1/3 of the thug's Stamina (critical hit), and the roll of 43 equals the maximum chance to hit (critical hit). In this case the attack results in a critical hit (critical hits don't stack for the same attack, but I wanted to point out different ways in the example as to how they can occur). A critical hit can result from ranged attacks, melee attacks, and even blunt force trauma (falls, crashes, etc). Poisons and isolated specific attacks (hammering a nail through an aliens hand, for example) are not eligible for critical hit opportunities. Critical Hit effects are determined by a separate roll against the Critical Hit Table (different effects for ranged attacks as opposed to melee attacks). Effects include movement penalties, handedness penalties (loss of primary hand), sight penalties (dizziness, stuns, blurred vision, etc), and the effects can be both temporary or permanent (requiring medical attention in order to negate the penalty). Robots are also subject to critical hits, albeit with a reduced effect penalty (another advantage of robots, since they can't be "stunned" nor lose feeling in a body part, for example). |
January 2, 2014 - 1:16pm | CRITICAL HIT EFFECTS TABLE
(*) = indefinite Movement Halved - Leg or lower back injury resulting in half the regular movement rate Crippled - Unable to move (although the individual can defend themselves and fire ranged weapons from a prone position) Blinded - Individual is unable to see. They can't make any ranged or melee attacks (save for random shots and/or flailing of weapons). Wrestling attempts are subject to a -5% penalty. These individuals are subject to the stunned penalty when attacked. Death - Attack strikes a severely critical area which instantly kills the character. A Staydose injection and successful minor surgery is required to revive these individuals. Stunned - Individuals are stunned by the attack, leaving them unable to perform any actions for the duration Hand Injured - Individual's dominant hand is injured, resulting in the inability of its use for the duration. These individuals can use their weak hand in combat, albeit with the -10% penalty. Players attempting to fire a rifle are subject to a -20% penalty due to the inability to stabilize the barrel. Reloading a weapon takes one additional turn while the injury is in effect. Vrusks and players with the Acrobatic skill (see Skills section of supplement) are not subject to the weak hand attack penalty, of course. Knockdown - The attack has knocked the individual down. This results in the player losing one turn due to trying to gather their wits and/or regain their balance. Torso Injured - The attack results in a painful torso injury (ribs, back, gut, etc). These individuals suffer a -10% penalty for all attacks for the duration of the injury, as well as having to spend every other turn doubled over in pain (treat the players as stunned during these turns). These individuals also move at half their normal speed for the duration of the injury (when they're not doubled over in pain). Paralysis - An attack that leaves the individual in excruciating pain. These individuals can not take any action for the duration of the injury, lying prone on the ground in pain. Anesthesia can be given to numb the pain, but the player can't move until he/she receives minor surgery. |
 January 2, 2014 - 2:28pm | Atomikdyce you should package this as an article and submit it to the Frontier Explorer. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
January 2, 2014 - 7:09pm | I actually sent an older draft to Larry Moore via e-mail four years ago. I've since then updated the Supplement and started getting motivated/interested again. I go through cycles given my busy schedule (work, family, church activities, school, etc) |
January 3, 2014 - 3:18pm | I actually sent an older draft to Larry Moore via e-mail four years ago. I've since then updated the Supplement and started getting motivated/interested again.
OK, we should check if William has that article slated for one of the SFmans that he's kicking out but if not you'd be welcome to submit it to the Frontier Explorer especially if its been updated.I go through cycles given my busy schedule (work, family, church activities, school, etc) I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
