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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 8615871" data-attributes="member: 6801845">Let's take a simple scenario.  Two very different fighters in a cage match, last one standing wins.In one corner we have PG (Power Gal).  Maybe 135 pounds soaking wet but has studied every martial arts technique known to man and a couple of techniques only known to women.  Washboard abs and fists that hit with far more impact than you would expect because she's spent her life creating microfractures in the bones that are denser and stronger than normal bone when they heal.In the other corner we have BB (Big Bruiser).  Weighs twice as much as PG and he probably has washboard abs buried under layers of fat.  Doesn't look like a body builder, he's built for strength and taking blows.  He isn't an expert on any fighting technique because he punches so hard it usually doesn't matter.In the ring PG realizes she has to dodge in and out of BB's reach, pummel him with quick hits and then get out of the way.  She quickly realizes hitting him in the midsection doesn't do as much damage as hoped, the blubber absorbs much of the impact.  She gets a hit into the side of his head, but it's like hitting a stone wall.  Does damage, but not as much as if his head had rocked back and caused his brain to slosh around more.  BB doesn't bother avoiding blows, he thinks he can take it all day.  But she keeps punching away, focusing on a couple of key spots, knowing it's going to add up.Meanwhile when BB swings at PG she dodges out of the way when he manages to connect she to twist to the side turning it into a glancing blow.  Hurts, but not as much as he's used to, since most people he fights are also bruisers.  PG does exert herself more and stretches muscles and tendons to their limit avoiding blows, slowly reducing her chance to deflect blows.  BB eventually manage to get a reasonably solid hit to her midsection which visibly hurts PG because there' just nothing there but muscle and bone to absorb the impact. BB manages to grapple PG, and hears a rib or two crack but it doesn't stop her.  PG manage to headbutt BB in the face, breaking his nose filling his sinuses with blood and distracting BB long enough for her to get free.  BB is tiring quickly, lacking PG's stamina but PG has internal bleeding from the cracked ribs and is having a hard time breathing.How do you map that to a game?  A simple solution like yours isn't going to cut it - they both have entirely different fighting styles, defenses and injuries.  Actual damage for BB is completely different from actual damage to PG.  The types of injuries they sustain makes a difference and I'm not even mentioning the mental game, something which many people familiar with the topic will tell you is just as important.Which means all this just comes down to preference, expectations and what will work for you and your group.  I don't think categorizing HP or applying penalties makes enough of a difference to make it worth my while. YMMV, I think HP (and AC and damage) is a significant simplification but I'm not sure other options are much better.</blockquote>

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