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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mustrum_Ridcully" data-source="post: 3687090" data-attributes="member: 710">One of the difficulties with called shots (in my experience) is that the effects are hard to balance with the regular Hit Point mechanic. Anything that inflicts penalties bypasses your character's hit points, and hitpoints are one of the major D&D abstractions. (Spells change this to some extent but you can't do spells endlessly. But even then, Hitpoints are tied to Hit Dice which in turn determine saving throws)I think it is best to try staying in the system as close as possible and not trying to apply penalties that usually don't exist (like an abritary -2 penalty if your arm was damaged or something like that). I would personally prefer using Massive Damage Threshold (like in D20 Modern or SAGA) and critical hits as a base for all called shots.Maybe this way: Called Shots: You can make Called Shots as a standard action that provokes an attack of oppertunity. This is a regular melee or ranged attack against the target, but it allows you to inflict a special penalty upon your target by striking a particular vital spot. If the damage you deal is enough to exceed a value equal to 20 + your opponents Fortitude Save Bonus, you can choose to inflict one of the following penalties: - 2 points of ability damage (except constitution)- Sickened (1 Minute)- Base Speed Reduced by 5 ft (1 Minute) (apply armor penalties after applying this one)Improved Called Shot (General)Prerequisite: Dex13+You can take a penalty up to your Base Attack Bonus and add the same number to you effective damage for determining whether you reach the threshold given above. If you're using a light weapon or a weapon you use the weapon finesse feat with, you can apply twice this value.You still deal damage normally (do not apply the above penalties or bonuses).Greater Called Shot (General)Prerequisite: Dex13+, Improved Called Shot; BAB 6+You no longer provoke an attack of oppertunity when making a called shot. Instead of this benefit, you can also attempt to apply one of the following penalties:- Nauseated (1 round), and sickened (1 minute)- Blinded (1 round), and dazzled (1 minute)- 4 points of ability damage (no constitution damage)</blockquote>

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