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Old 05-18-2012, 06:33 PM   #1
mirioki
 
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Default Surprise Rules for Animals

If an animal with very low IQ without combat reflexes loses it's initiative on a partial surprise attack, does that mean it probably won't "snap out of it" for... a while (Animals usually have IQ's of 4 or less). It feels like it's not analogous to how actual animals react to surprises (Ie: any deer I've seen runs the hell away immediately when surprised)

It seems a bit unfair for the animals. Am I missing something?
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Old 05-18-2012, 06:54 PM   #2
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Default Re: Surprise Rules for Animals

There's a site with some very decent rules for animals, one of which is what they calls "Panic Reflexes" which is a defensive form of Combat Reflexes.

http://www.panoptesv.com/RPGs/Ads-n'-stuff/PanicR.html

There's nothing wrong with giving Combat Reflexes with a limitation "cannot be used offensively", which is pretty much what the above is.
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Old 05-18-2012, 07:33 PM   #3
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Default Re: Surprise Rules for Animals

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Originally Posted by mirioki View Post
It seems a bit unfair for the animals. Am I missing something?
Shouldn't deer have Combat Reflexes?
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Old 05-18-2012, 07:37 PM   #4
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Default Re: Surprise Rules for Animals

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Originally Posted by Wraithe View Post
There's nothing wrong with giving Combat Reflexes with a limitation "cannot be used offensively", which is pretty much what the above is.
What are the offensive uses of combat reflexes?
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Old 05-18-2012, 07:41 PM   #5
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Default Re: Surprise Rules for Animals

I'd tend to just have surprise roll vs Per.
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Old 05-18-2012, 07:46 PM   #6
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Default Re: Surprise Rules for Animals

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Originally Posted by sir_pudding View Post
Shouldn't deer have Combat Reflexes?
According to GURPS Basic Campaign's deer template, they do not.
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Old 05-18-2012, 07:52 PM   #7
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Default Re: Surprise Rules for Animals

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Originally Posted by mirioki View Post
According to GURPS Basic Campaign's deer template, they do not.
That's not really saying much, is it?
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Old 05-18-2012, 08:06 PM   #8
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Default Re: Surprise Rules for Animals

In my opinion, deer shouldn't have combat reflexes. They are neither trained nor have the experience to back it up. It's not like deer are constantly in combat situations, since they just run away usually.
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Old 05-18-2012, 08:11 PM   #9
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They are neither trained nor have the experience to back it up.
They have an instinctive reaction to danger. But if you don't think they should have Combat Reflexes, then what's your problem exactly?
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Old 05-18-2012, 08:48 PM   #10
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Default Re: Surprise Rules for Animals

That they have an instinctive reaction to danger but it's not combat reflexes? Not even the sourcebook thinks deer should have combat reflexes.

imo, combat reflexes does not equal instinctive reaction to danger. A mouse has an innate instinct against danger, but I would hardly classify a mouse to have combat reflexes.

My problem is, it's a bit silly to have an animal stand there stunned for god knows how long due to having a measly 4 IQ. It's even more stupid for something tiny like a mouse, with something like 2 IQ. Mice don't sit there stunned for seconds while I try to roll a critical the first three rolls. Also, my chances of rolling a 5 or less by the fourth roll is also unlikely. Mice are surprised by stuff all the time, and they don't sit there derping for six-ten seconds. They run like hell like any other animal who doesn't fight does. I can't give every dumb animal out there combat reflexes simply because they have an innate instinct to react to danger.
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