D&D 5E Called Shots

[ExploderWizard]

Called shots is one of the many ways in which people try to cobble fiddly bits of combat sim onto an otherwise completely abstract combat system. It doesn't improve the game.

BAZINGA!

In a game where a "hit" isn't the result of swinging a weapon and "damage" can be sustained without a "hit" taking place, is getting even more specific with regard to the effect of a "hit" really a good idea?

Such things have their place in less abstract combat systems. I like being able to thrust to the vitals for MORE damage, or slash the leg to cripple/slow a foe in GURPS combat. There is no ambiguity going on there. An attack IS a single thrust or slash of a weapon. The damage caused is quite physical indeed. Called shots make sense because they mesh well with rest of the combat system.

 

[Wulfgar76]

I know its fraught with problems, but I'll allow called shots for dramatic effect so long as players use it only rarely.

In Next, any called shot has Disadvantage, if they hit, then I adjudicate the effect on the fly.

 

[Viking Bastard]

I like DCC's Mighty Deeds mechanic. For those not familiar with it, the Fighter gets a die (d4 at level 1) instead of a static modifier to add to his attack rolls. Any time the fighter attacks, he can announce his intention to perform a mighty deed and if he rolls 4+ on the attack die, he succeeds.

It's simple and free-form, yet restricted enough that the fighter isn't poking out eyes every round.

Inspired by DCC's rule, I've been using a fudge die for similar effect--anyone can announce a 'stunt' (which includes called shots) as part of their attack and roll a fudge die beside their normal to-hit die--if they hit and get a plus, their stunt is successful. They will still do full damage, even if the stunt falls short of delivering the full effect.

 

[howandwhy99]

I remember 2e had 'called shots' as an optional rule I believe in the Fighters Handbook. Do you allow them now? If yes - What are the repercussions of allowing them, i.e. can NPC make 'called shots' against PCs? Do you as DM exercise that right?

As I use them Called shots allow attacks on a creature or other targets anatomy/composition. Called locations are more difficult to hit, but still affected individually by armor and damage usually the same - though the location's hit points are not. The important part is: called shots are not superior to the basic attack action, which aggregates all these strikes into general damage. Called shots are situationally superior because it would be better to cut off the monster's tail or ground it by attacking the wings. Like players creatively describing a series of actions in a single round can end in different results, players using called shots are learning how to beat monsters more effectively based upon the particular monster and the particular larger situation they are in.

 

[Ashkelon]

Super simple called shot idea:

Called Shot (Hinder): When you make an attack, if you do not have disadvantage, you may attempt to make a called shot (hinder) on your target. You suffer disadvantage on your attack, but if you hit your target, your target is suffers disadvantage on the next attack roll or ability check it makes before the start of your next turn.

Called Shot (Critical): When you make an attack, if you do not have disadvantage, you may attempt to make a called shot (critical) on your target. You suffer disadvantage on your attack, but if it hits the target, you score a critical hit.

 

[Thyrwyn]

Super simple called shot idea:

Called Shot (Hinder): When you make an attack, if you do not have disadvantage, you may attempt to make a called shot (hinder) on your target. You suffer disadvantage on your attack, but if you hit your target, your target is suffers disadvantage on the next attack roll or ability check it makes before the start of your next turn.

Called Shot (Critical): When you make an attack, if you do not have disadvantage, you may attempt to make a called shot (critical) on your target. You suffer disadvantage on your attack, but if it hits the target, you score a critical hit.

Nice suggestions - and welcome aboard!

As much as I like Called Shots in systems that use them, I feel that there are too many abstractions surrounding HP/AC in D&D to make them viable. Also, any bonus received must be compared to feats/maneuvers/etc... already available to characters through regular advancement or expenditure of resources. For example: the Fighter can gain advantage by spending a Superiority Die (a scarce resource) and rolling well. Therefore, any called shot which lets another character (even that same fighter) gain advantage, diminishes the Fighter's class ability. No penalty could be imposed on a "called shot", that would justify allowing any one character to come close to replicating that feature.

I'd be all for them in a more detailed combat system, but D&D does not have the underlying framework to let them work without stepping on the toes of some other character that has earned those capabilities.

 

[Ashkelon]

Nice suggestions - and welcome aboard!

As much as I like Called Shots in systems that use them, I feel that there are too many abstractions surrounding HP/AC in D&D to make them viable. Also, any bonus received must be compared to feats/maneuvers/etc... already available to characters through regular advancement or expenditure of resources. For example: the Fighter can gain advantage by spending a Superiority Die (a scarce resource) and rolling well. Therefore, any called shot which lets another character (even that same fighter) gain advantage, diminishes the Fighter's class ability. No penalty could be imposed on a "called shot", that would justify allowing any one character to come close to replicating that feature.

I'd be all for them in a more detailed combat system, but D&D does not have the underlying framework to let them work without stepping on the toes of some other character that has earned those capabilities.

Well, the fighter can impose disadvantage without taking a penalty to their attack roll. That should be worth something. And any PC may already attempt the "Hinder" action to impose disadvantage on a creature.

Perhaps, "called shot" should come from a feat. It would allow you to take a -5 penalty to your attack to either score a critical hit or impose disadvantage to the targets next action. It remains highly abstract which is good in any system with HP, but still allows for some "cinematic" combat.

 

[Thyrwyn]

... It remains highly abstract which is good in any system with HP, but still allows for some "cinematic" combat.

Those are indeed worthwhile considerations. For me, a feat would work as it does less to minimize the cost other characters have paid.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

When making an attack roll, it's generally assumed that you are fighting to the best of your ability to harm or incapacitate your opponent. You're already trying to find vulnerabilities. So called shots don't really make sense unless the goal is something other than hit point loss.

For the most part, combat maneuvers such as trip or disarm cover these cases.

Any effects that are dependent on injury, such as attacking a creature's wings so they can't fly, are a risky thing to add to the game. Hit points are supposed to be protecting you from these kinds of injuries in general. As a parting shot when a creature is reduced to zero hit points, they're cool. At other times? I'm not so sure.

Still, I might consider some form of "injure limb" action, if it were well implemented and not an obvious option for every attack.

 

[Sadras]

My thanks to all who responded.

IMO, 3e (actually d20) handled this topic much better in "The Book of Iron Might" (by one M. Mearls) which allowed the use of all sorts of combat maneuvers which would apply conditions of various sorts. That's definitely worth at least checking out.

Great, will look into this.

(The only thing is that I'd be wary about using disadvantage, or indeed big negative penalties, too liberally - doing so makes such tactics vastly suboptimal, which strongly discourages their use, which may or may not be what you want.)

Noted.

Called shots are terrible when they are used to circumvent hit point totals. The simplest way to add called shots without undermining the hit point system is to allow a "called shot" to inflict a condition rather than cause damage. In effect, it becomes a way for martial users to widen somewhat their choices in combat.

When making an attack roll, it's generally assumed that you are fighting to the best of your ability to harm or incapacitate your opponent. You're already trying to find vulnerabilities. So called shots don't really make sense unless the goal is something other than hit point loss.

100% Agreed.

The balancing acts come in trying to offer conditions that are useful, but not so powerful they become the automatic first choice.

The important part is: called shots are not superior to the basic attack action, which aggregates all these strikes into general damage.

True.

Super simple called shot idea:

Called Shot (Hinder): When you make an attack, if you do not have disadvantage, you may attempt to make a called shot (hinder) on your target. You suffer disadvantage on your attack, but if you hit your target, your target is suffers disadvantage on the next attack roll or ability check it makes before the start of your next turn.

Called Shot (Critical): When you make an attack, if you do not have disadvantage, you may attempt to make a called shot (critical) on your target. You suffer disadvantage on your attack, but if it hits the target, you score a critical hit.

Great idea, feels like a 5e rule already along with the Feat inclusion.