Gritty Hit Point and Combat Rules, Version 4.0

[KenHood]

[IMAGER]http://www.webacrossamerica.com/sleeping/images/GnG_01_th.jpg[/IMAGER]Diamond Thunderbolt Productions is proud to release the Grim-n-Gritty Hit Point and Combat Rules, Version 4.0 by Kenneth S. Hood. Updated for use with the 3.5 Edition rules, as well as providing some support for Modern and Future characters, these rules are available from RPGNow for $5.95.

As always, the GnG rules provide a realism-based alternative to the standard combat system.

This latest version of the GnG ruleset features the following:

• 49 pages, 100% open game content
• Alternative rules for figuring hit points based on the size of a creature, making massive monsters truly terrifying.
• Injury penalties which hamper your character's performance as he suffers damage.
• Armor that reduces damage, rather than lowering the chance to be hit in combat.
• Opposed rolls for combat, using a Defense statistic.
• A "Relative Degree" mechanic that replaces critical hits and increases the damage you inflict based on the success of your combat roll, rewarding skill rather than weapon selection.
• Effect-based called shot rules.
• Some support for psionic, modern, and future characters.
• Epic-level rules.
• Guidelines for adjusting a creature's CR based on its size.
• A new action type and new defensive actions.
• New automatic fire, suppressing fire, and energy weapon rules.
• Over 50 new and revised feats for use with the system, including psionic, metapsionic, and metamagic feats.
• Martial arts feats for nerve strikes, breaking strikes, and grappling.
• Four new spells and three psionic powers.
• New and revised magical and psionic items.
• Suggestions for implementing the rules in a high-magic setting.

Note: The Grim-n-Gritty Hit Point and Combat Rules, Version 4.0 are not the same rules as the Grim and Gritty: Revised and Simplified rules.

 

[Mark]

Huzzah!

 

[Ed Cha]

Sounds cool, but knowing nothing of this system (besides hearing about it), what is the difference between 4.0 and Revised and Simplified? Does 4.0 take longer to implement in a game or is it just more material?

And are you coming out with a print version?

 

[BonesMcCoy]

Nice cover!

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Sweet. This I'm gonna have to get!

 

[KenHood]

Sounds cool, but knowing nothing of this system (besides hearing about it), what is the difference between 4.0 and Revised and Simplified?

Revised and Simplified is the "red-headed stepchild" of the original GnG. It's extremely simplified.

The 4.0 rules update the last version (3.3). Creatures have Hit Points, not a Life Bar. Your HP are based on your Constitution, class level, hit dice, and size. For example, a 1st level human commoner with 10 Constitution has 10 Hit Points. A great wyrm red dragon has (heh!) 852 HP (or roundabouts).

4.0 has more combat options, as well as actual Called Shot Rules--such as 'stab and grab' where you stab a person with a single-edged weapon and immediately initiate a grapple by grabbing the blade poking through the other side of their body.

4.0 is the steroids-pumped, pedal-to-the-metal, sun source of Grim-n-Gritty of which "Revised and Simplified" is a pale, feeble shadow.

Defense bonuses are higher in 4.0.

Does 4.0 take longer to implement in a game or is it just more material?

Both. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to implement 4.0, but it does take some conversion on your part. (A buddy and I are considering creating a GnG 4.0 monster book, converting the SRD monsters, if the rules sell well.)

The 4.0 version of the rules does simplify the conversion process more than 3.3. It also provides CR modification suggestions, as well as Defense and HP Bonus rules for classes in the SRD and MSRD.

And are you coming out with a print version?

I've a buddy who is trying to talk me into it, but I'll probably stick with PDF.

 

[KenHood]

Nice cover!

Thanks, Doc. My buddy, J. R. Frausto, of 400 Pound Gorilla Design Studio created it.