Hit Locations

Andur · Mar 30, 2005

Two part post:

1) Are there any good products out there with hit location systems in them?

2) Is there any demand for a multi-tiered (read simple, average, and realistic), cross-platform hit location system?

arwink · Mar 30, 2005

I've not used a specific randomg hit location chart, but I did allow players that spent an action dice on an attack that would have hit anyway to create a special effect as a result (an idea I nabbed from a post, and later discovered came from Arcana Evolved). The PC could blind an opponent by attacking their eyes, stun them by punching them in the stomach of genitals, or numb a limb by focusing an attack on their arm or leg.

The players got plenty of milage out of that system, and it seemed to strike a happy medium.

C. Baize · Mar 30, 2005

Andur said:
Two part post:

1) Are there any good products out there with hit location systems in them?

2) Is there any demand for a multi-tiered (read simple, average, and realistic), cross-platform hit location system?

1) Don't know.

2) Don't know.

What I do know is that 18 years ago, I created an incredibly in-depth random hit location chart based on d100, and it has provided us with a GREAT deal of amusement over the years. It's one extra roll, and it adds depth (and a bit of extra danger) to combat.

It's strictly locations. I leave any mechanical interpretations up to the individual GMs.

By the way... I created this as a 16 year old punk who was pretty intently studying martial arts. About 70% of the targets are called by the latin terms, or what I learned them as in Kung Fu class.

Of course.... studying the chart also helped me pass the target session of the Green Belt test... but that's a side effect.

In my groups, it has withstood the test of time.
It has been alternately praised and ridiculed for the exact same reasons... Because it is so in-depth.
*shrug*
We (my gaming group) like it, and that's all that matters.

As for your fishing for whether or not it would make a decent product.... I highly recommend a random hit location chart for gamers. It does add depth, and a bit more realism. I've found that my players are able to really identify with the wounds their characters are receiving if they know exactly where they're going.

Disclaimer... A product like this may cause you to have to think a bit more. Use caution if you don't like thinking.
Or if you like your combat to be completely abstract, rather than specific.
A hit location chart also pretty much removes the concept of hit points as battle fatigue from the point of view that everyone can only take one or two hits, and everything else is near misses, since you'll be seeing where every hit lands.

Things you have to take into consideration when considering a product of this type.
Also you have to consider whether or not you're going to have mechanical effects of particular hits...
Does a full damage gunshot to the calf cause you to lose movement speed?
Does a knife in the eye affect your hit modifiers?
How about a baseball bat to the throat? Do you want to institute "drowning" rules for the character not being able to breathe?

In a realistic game, these can all add to the color and the flavor of the game.
In an abstract game, it's just more bookkeeping, and more rolls.

Andur... if you're going to create a product with this, I'd be happy to compare notes, or offer ideas, if you want.
Or not if you don't want.

No sweat, either way.

Aus_Snow · Mar 30, 2005

Andur said:
Are there any good products out there with hit location systems in them?

Apparently, yes. For d20 though, all I've heard of is Bastion Press' Torn Asunder, and I've not got that, so I won't recommend it or comment otherwise.

Andur said:
Is there any demand for a multi-tiered (read simple, average, and realistic), cross-platform hit location system?

It's a great idea, but how would one cover differently sized creatures (a Small creature attacking a Large creature with a longsword might have difficulty hitting that opponent's head, for example), quadrupeds, arachnoids, winged creatures, ranged attacks, facing etc.; also combinations of these factors, along with the host of others I haven't spotted immediately?

Not saying it can't be done, but wow, it looks like a headache, as far as I can see. If it could be done realistically, I'd love to see it, and I would certainly pay for thr privilege, as long as it wouldn't slow combat to a crawl.

edit : oh hang on a sec, are you posting re: D&D, or d20 Modern, or er. . . what exactly?

Andur · Mar 30, 2005

Aus, it would be for any d20 system, as long as one doesn't mind a few tweaks.

C. Baize, currently am playing around with trying to combine several of the "oldies but goodies" i.e. Top Secret, Twilight 2000, etc. along with some new takes. As far as trading ideas, wouldn't mind if you don't.

Basically my group is winding down on a campaign and are looking at starting up a episodic type campaign that will have different people DMing at different times. We are in the midst of modifing/creating a variation of the rules to be able to cover everything from classic DnD-style to historical legendary to modern reality to sci fi. Figure as long as we are jotting down all these ideas and will be playtesting them, might as well look at the extra step and publish what we come up with. Just in the baby steps currently.

DungeonmasterCal · Mar 30, 2005

Torn Asunder has a pretty good system. I own the book, but in truth haven't used it. I came up with my own crit and location system that I personally prefer. But TA's system isn't bad at all.

DungeonmasterCal · Mar 30, 2005

Aus_Snow said:
Apparently, yes. For d20 though, all I've heard of is Bastion Press' Torn Asunder, and I've not got that, so I won't recommend it or comment otherwise.

It's a great idea, but how would one cover differently sized creatures (a Small creature attacking a Large creature with a longsword might have difficulty hitting that opponent's head, for example), quadrupeds, arachnoids, winged creatures, ranged attacks, facing etc.; also combinations of these factors, along with the host of others I haven't spotted immediately?

Not saying it can't be done, but wow, it looks like a headache, as far as I can see. If it could be done realistically, I'd love to see it, and I would certainly pay for thr privilege, as long as it wouldn't slow combat to a crawl.

Incidentally, the home-made crit system I cooked up does allow for small attacking large, etc, as well as taking into account increased combat ability due to levelling up. It requires a reworking of the crit rules for weapons, but in the few times we've had the chance to use it (my group has been meeting very infrequently the last year or so because of the real world we have to live in), it works pretty well.

Angel Tarragon · Mar 30, 2005

AdnD 2nd Edition had Players Option: Combat & Tactics has an in depth hit location system that you can use. And it is only $5 at RPGNow.com

Dragonmarked DM · Mar 30, 2005

Andur said:
Two part post:

1) Are there any good products out there with hit location systems in them?

2) Is there any demand for a multi-tiered (read simple, average, and realistic), cross-platform hit location system?

My group uses a simple system based on some house rules. We use the vitality/wound system from unearth arcana. Any time a PC takes wound damage (critical hits or when all vitality is gone), a d12 is rolled to determine the area the hit effects.

12 = head
11=R arm
10=l arm
9=R leg
8=L leg
1-7= torso.

The damage is applied to wounds as normal, but other effects are determined from where it hits. For example a PC may have 14 wound points total (based on a Con score of 14), but if they recieve 8 wound damage and a 9 is rolled for location the results would be read as follows. The 8 wound damage would be subtracted from the total amount of wounds the PC has. At the same time, since that damage was taken to the leg, it could have other effects depending on the cumulative amount taken to that body part.

1-3 wound to leg = no effects
4-7 wound to leg = 1/2 movement and - 2 to actions requireing use of legs. 25% chance of bleeding.
8-10 wound to leg = 1/4 movement and -4 to actions requireing use of legs plus a 50% chance of bleeding.
11+ wound to leg = only a 5 foot step and -6 to all actions requireing the use of legs plus a 75% chance of bleeding.

Also when checking for effects, the PC's Con modifier is subtracted from the amount on the effects table. So the character with a Con of 14 would read the result as 6 ( 8 wound damage - 2 for con mod ) for the adjusted result on the effects table.

It should also be noted that in the vitality/wound system, critical hits are not multiplied and just a normal damage die is rolled for wound damage.

That sounds a little more complicated than it is, but it works well for our group.

devilish · Mar 30, 2005

C. Baize said:
What I do know is that 18 years ago, I created an incredibly in-depth random hit location chart based on d100, and it has provided us with a GREAT deal of amusement over the years. It's one extra roll, and it adds depth (and a bit of extra danger) to combat.

It's strictly locations. I leave any mechanical interpretations up to the individual GMs.

By the way... I created this as a 16 year old punk who was pretty intently studying martial arts. About 70% of the targets are called by the latin terms, or what I learned them as in Kung Fu class.

Of course.... studying the chart also helped me pass the target session of the Green Belt test... but that's a side effect.