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Old 01-21-2019, 11:15 AM   #1
VariousRen
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Default [Low Tech] Edge Protection and Chainmail

A question came up recently while using the "Blunt Trama and Edge Weapons" rule on LT pg.102. A character wearing fine chainmail (DR4, 2 vs crushing) was hit for 7 points of cutting damage. That isn't quite enough damage to cut cleanly through the armour, so the damage is treated as crushing. We couldn't decide if:

A) The damage was originally cutting, so the chainmail provides 4DR against it. 3 damage penetrates but does not get the cutting modifier.

B) The damage is turned into crushing, so the chainmail has DR2. 5 damage penetrates.

An additional thought that came from this is that fine and very fine bladed weapons might not receive their damage bonus unless they are able to cut completely through armour.

Some advice on which is the best way to handle it would be appreciated!
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Old 01-21-2019, 12:00 PM   #2
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Default Re: [Low Tech] Edge Protection and Chainmail

If the damage isn't enough to cut clean through, then what's physically happening is that the armor is still between the blade and the flesh. To me, that would mean the damage is treated as crushing the whole way through.
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Old 01-21-2019, 11:58 PM   #3
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Default Re: [Low Tech] Edge Protection and Chainmail

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Originally Posted by VariousRen View Post
A question came up recently while using the "Blunt Trama and Edge Weapons" rule on LT pg.102. A character wearing fine chainmail (DR4, 2 vs crushing) was hit for 7 points of cutting damage (…)

A) The damage was originally cutting, so the chainmail provides 4DR against it. 3 damage penetrates but does not get the cutting modifier.
Using the option from “Blunt Trauma and Edged Weapons” the sword deals 3 points of crushing damage. This option simply takes the damage dealt by blades and if it is not enough (at least 1 point past twice the armor’s DR), the remaining damage is crushing (because it did not penetrate).

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Originally Posted by VariousRen View Post
B) The damage is turned into crushing, so the chainmail has DR2. 5 damage penetrates.
To achieve such a result, the PC has to deal an attack with a crushing attack move (i.e. using the sword’s hilt to pummel, or switching to a weapon designed for crushing attacks). In other words, that option does not automatically turn cutting damage into crushing; damage becomes crushing if fails to meet the criteria.

PD. Finally, it does not matter if the sword is fine or very fine, what matters here is the amount of damage you deal in order to surpass the criteria established by the "realistic damage option".
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Old 01-22-2019, 12:13 AM   #4
Michele
 
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Default Re: [Low Tech] Edge Protection and Chainmail

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To achieve such a result, the PC has to deal an attack with a crushing attack move (i.e. using the sword’s hilt to pummel, or switching to a weapon designed for crushing attacks).
I don't know about the game mechanics; but a way to cause less damage when you wanted to subdue a foe without killing or seriously wounding him, was to use "the flat of the sword".
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Old 01-22-2019, 12:35 AM   #5
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Default Re: [Low Tech] Edge Protection and Chainmail

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I don't know about the game mechanics; but a way to cause less damage when you wanted to subdue a foe without killing or seriously wounding him, was to use "the flat of the sword".
Indeed, that could be another way to deal crushing damage! That's on RAW 401 (referring to mechanics).
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