Callled Shot rules in 'Core' D&D?

[Holy Bovine]

I think I am losing my mind (not hard to do! ) but I seem to have a clear memory of reading called shot rules in the PHB or PHB 2 and now cannot find so much as a reference to them anywhere. Am I crazy? Do they exist in any WotC D&D book? help!

 

[3d6]

There are rules for damage to specific body parts in the DMG, but no rules on how one might damage those body parts specifically. I assume the rules are for finger-crushing traps and the like.

 

[Edheldur]

Do they exist in any WotC D&D book? help!

Nope, there aren't. However, there is plenty of 3rd party stuff with called-shot rules.

 

[frankthedm]

An easy way to put them back is:

Take -4 to hit and descibe the effect you want. If the attack hits and the damage is enough to reduce that victim to 0 or fewer HP, the desired effect occurs.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

you could port in the called-shot rules from the OGL version of A Game of Thrones. They seem to work well without slowing down play overmuch.

 

[Dragon Snack]

The 3.0 DMG had some called shot rules.

Not nasty enough for the power gamers in any group I played with though, which probably means they were OK...

 

[Edheldur]

An easy way to put them back is:

Take -4 to hit and descibe the effect you want. If the attack hits and the damage is enough to reduce that victim to 0 or fewer HP, the desired effect occurs.

So, to get a flavourful description of what I want I need to accept a mechanic penalty to my action? Why not just "If the attack hits and the damage is enough to reduce that victim to 0 or fewer HP, the desired effect occurs". (Actually, that's what I've been doing all this time...)

 

[Engilbrand]

We always attack guys, "...in the FACE!" with a nice little shout. It's a good time.

 

[frankthedm]

So, to get a flavourful description of what I want I need to accept a mechanic penalty to my action? Why not just "If the attack hits and the damage is enough to reduce that victim to 0 or fewer HP, the desired effect occurs". (Actually, that's what I've been doing all this time...)

Because an attack taken at no penalty is a strike to kill through whatever means happen to presented in combat. One's HP is what prevents one from suffering crippling or fatal injury, until those are depleted that foe has the right to continue to fight at full efficiency. If you want to take their hand rather than kill them outright, you have to limit your strikes and you still have to deplete their HP. I chose -4 because it is the same as striking for non lethal damage. Also that called shot bypasses -10 and thus taking the limb of someone in diehard means no last ditch rage/ frenzy with a 2 handed weapon.

 

[hong]

Because an attack taken at no penalty is a strike to kill through whatever means happen to presented in combat. One's HP is what prevents one from suffering crippling or fatal injury, until those are depleted that foe has the right to continue to fight at full efficiency. If you want to take their hand rather than kill them outright, you have to limit your strikes and you still have to deplete their HP. I chose -4 because it is the same as striking for non lethal damage. Also that called shot bypasses -10 and thus taking the limb of someone in diehard means no last ditch rage/ frenzy with a 2 handed weapon.

Details, details. If it's defeated, it's defeated.