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Anthony · 10-17-2012, 01:10 AM

Note that typical horror monsters do have supernatural powers; there's actually not much reason to think that physical damage is relevant to fighting monsters, what matters is the focused intent behind the attack. Mechanically speaking, it's something like:

Incorporeal (Horror): when attacking a horror creature, ignore all normal combat rules; instead, roll a quick contest of will (your attack form need not even be an attack, as long as it's something you truly believe will hurt the monster). Situational modifiers may be applied; if you're filled with confidence because you just picked up a shotgun, you might get a bonus; if you just saw someone use a shotgun on the monster to zero effect, you'd have a penalty. The monsters can also create situations that sap the confidence of its victims; there's a reason they attack in creepy old houses. In addition, range modifiers apply; you are attacking with your will, and it doesn't have much reach. If you win the contest, you cause damage equal to your margin of success; otherwise, there is no effect (the GM may describe how the attack fails; perhaps it missed, perhaps it had no effect, perhaps something else).

When a horror creature attacks a PC, it must use the same sort of contest, and causes damage as above (DR is irrelevant, though armor may give a bonus to your will roll if you think it will work). On a failure, the monster's attack did not fail -- rather, it didn't attack at all, instead doing something menacing-looking but harmless (how often do you see the monsters inexplicably not attack?).

Note that, while these rolls resemble fright checks, bonuses against fear and fright do not apply -- the fearless character often serves to demonstrate how the monster works.

10-17-2012, 01:10 AM	#47
Anthony Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Berkeley, CA	Re: Z tactics against Military Note that typical horror monsters do have supernatural powers; there's actually not much reason to think that physical damage is relevant to fighting monsters, what matters is the focused intent behind the attack. Mechanically speaking, it's something like: Incorporeal (Horror): when attacking a horror creature, ignore all normal combat rules; instead, roll a quick contest of will (your attack form need not even be an attack, as long as it's something you truly believe will hurt the monster). Situational modifiers may be applied; if you're filled with confidence because you just picked up a shotgun, you might get a bonus; if you just saw someone use a shotgun on the monster to zero effect, you'd have a penalty. The monsters can also create situations that sap the confidence of its victims; there's a reason they attack in creepy old houses. In addition, range modifiers apply; you are attacking with your will, and it doesn't have much reach. If you win the contest, you cause damage equal to your margin of success; otherwise, there is no effect (the GM may describe how the attack fails; perhaps it missed, perhaps it had no effect, perhaps something else). When a horror creature attacks a PC, it must use the same sort of contest, and causes damage as above (DR is irrelevant, though armor may give a bonus to your will roll if you think it will work). On a failure, the monster's attack did not fail -- rather, it didn't attack at all, instead doing something menacing-looking but harmless (how often do you see the monsters inexplicably not attack?). Note that, while these rolls resemble fright checks, bonuses against fear and fright do not apply -- the fearless character often serves to demonstrate how the monster works.