Wound / vitality system pros

[Byrons_Ghost]

I concur with the whole 'hostage taking' problems with d20. This also touches with the 'knock a person out' when a rogue wants to disable guards or whatever. I like the 'terminal situation' concept, as then it would apply only during certain situations and not every combat. That was always the problem with 'knockout' rules, you can't be allowed to use them whenever. Sneak attack addressed this somewhat, but is still inadiquate.
I had pondered a rule where if someone has a gun drawn on you and you're not armed they would have a huge adavanatge over you. With HP as they are, PCs (or NPCs for that matter) could just act, take the hit and proceed from there without risk of serious injury. I would prefer there was something to make PCs stop and unable to act in a situation like this, which is pretty much the same thing as a hostage situation.
What about a ranged coup de gras?
The only thing I'd like that would make a PC of any level ignore a threat like mentioned above should be, armor that can simply negate the attack or a specific mutation power that offers super quickness or something else relevant.

Anyone know if True20 is open content? And if so, where do I find it?

Somewhat of a tangent, but I noticed last night that Mutants & Masterminds 2e has a "Covering" action which is essentially readying a ranged attack against a target, thus keeping them covered. The action is initiated by making a standard ranged attack roll, and then you're essentially delaying it until they make a move.

I don't have the book ATM so I don't remember if there were any other bonuses. At the very least I know you got an Intimidate boost.

 

[Skywalker]

Question, perhaps I'm confused, but are you saying I can't use it as OGL unless I buy the book? Seems hard to believe, so I must be misunderstanding you. (edit: lol I just saw on the site True20 won the Ogre's choice award...hmmmmmmmmm )

True 20 is almost 100% created under the Open Game Licence. So you can use the mechanics provided you meet the requirements of the Open Game Licence. The only non-OGL things are the name True 20 and its trade dress IIRC.

If you want to get a copy of True 20 though, you will need to buy the book. It is not free to download like the SRD.

 

[The Edge]

I've been considering a useing VP/WP system, but one thing that always seems a bit odd is how more damaging weapons do more against vitality.

Eg, Bob gets shot at with average pistol, takes 7 points vitality damage, is ok.
or, Bob gets shots at with desert eagle, takes 8 on vitality, 1 on wounds, bob is in trouble.

Is the minutely bigger bullet realy that much harder to dodge? I know thats not what its meant to be, so how can you interperet that better? :\

 

[genshou]

I've been considering a useing VP/WP system, but one thing that always seems a bit odd is how more damaging weapons do more against vitality.

Eg, Bob gets shot at with average pistol, takes 7 points vitality damage, is ok.
or, Bob gets shots at with desert eagle, takes 8 on vitality, 1 on wounds, bob is in trouble.

Is the minutely bigger bullet realy that much harder to dodge? I know thats not what its meant to be, so how can you interperet that better? :\

Having dealt only a single point of wound damage, that bullet didn't hit very effectively, did it? The extra force imparted by the larger-caliber bullet was just enough to tear off some flesh and muscle as it hit right on the edge of the target's body. The smaller bullet just tore the surface up a little (a flesh wound with no negative effects as far as wound damage is concerned).

 

[TheNovaLord]

In my homebrew, Black Nova 35, we have been playing for 2 years now I use AC/DR gained from armour, everyone gets +1AC every 4 levels and we use HP. what i like is everyone has a very wide range of both AC/DR and HP and yet it all seems to work quite well. vehicles and ships use AC/DR and HP as well, and we have a lot of space and vehicle combat.
Thought about WP/VP style but seemed like more paperwork.
The charaters are all ECL of around 8 and have

AC/DR 20/3 and 40hp
AC/DR 14/12 and 33hp
AC/DR 17/6 and 85hp
AC/DR 19/0 and 25hp.

Obviously some fight differently to others, and some prefer not to fight much at all, but eveeryone seems happy, everyone uses diff armour, diff weapons so it all gels quite well.

vehicle AC depends alot on the driver (and size and speed and shields )but for example
a standard shuttle AC/DR 12/14 and 148hp
scout gyrocopter AC23/4 and 55hp
Rocket Tank AC 17/24 and 141hp

The partys 'spaceship' is a very large fighter and with all skills added is
AC/DR 30/40 and 429 hp. its main weapons do (d8+4)*10 and d12(*10) damage.