What are some GURPS rules you didn't know or understand for a long time?

[awesomenessofme1]

Inspired by a conversation that I just had with a player where I finally understood Improving Skills from Default after over 2 years of actively playing GURPS. I have a lot of character sheets to revise for my setting.

A few months ago, I also found out that death checks aren't modified by -1 per death check threshold passed, only consciousness. I had been entirely convinced it worked that way ever since I started playing.

[Refplace]

Power Stunts, I kind of understood them but did not really appreciate them until PK made them the centerpiece of GURPS Psionic Powers.

I tend to forget rules and modifiers, especially combat ones but I think I understood them pretty quickly. Its just a lot to remember, especially if you dont use them all the time. I dont think I have ever been in a game that used all the rules and options.

[evileeyore]

I forget rules all the time, there are so many of them after all...

[whswhs]

It took me several campaigns to figure out the use of range modifiers for missile weapons.

[johndallman]

I took a long time to understand that you don't have to buy skills in complete levels. An example makes this easier to explain:

You have a lot of points in Skill A. Skill B's default from A is high enough that your defaulted skill level in it would cost 4 or more points to buy stand-alone. Skill C's default from B would be at a useful level, but you don't have a default in C, because of the no-default-from-default rule.

If you put 1 point into B, your level in it does not rise, but you now know that skill, and you have a default in skill C.

Thanks to Kromm for making this clear, a few years ago.

[awesomenessofme1]

Originally Posted by johndallman

I took a long time to understand that you don't have to buy skills in complete levels. An example makes this easier to explain:

You have a lot of points in Skill A. Skill B's default from A is high enough that your defaulted skill level in it would cost 4 or more points to buy stand-alone. Skill C's default from B would be at a useful level, but you don't have a default in C, because of the no-default-from-default rule.

If you put 1 point into B, your level in it does not rise, but you now know that skill, and you have a default in skill C.

Thanks to Kromm for making this clear, a few years ago.

I think that's actually exactly what I was talking about in my first post.

[rkbrown419]

Originally Posted by Refplace

Its just a lot to remember, especially if you dont use them all the time. I dont think I have ever been in a game that used all the rules and options.

Some of the rules just don't go well together. Bulletproof Nudity and the high realism in Tactical Shooting for example. Or the highly realistic and slapstick options found in Martial Arts. They don't fit stylistically and in a few cases might even contradict each other.

[Nose66]

LOL, it would take up too much space to list all of the rules we didn't know well, or used incorrectly. ;-)

I created a "cheat sheet" to help me play. After 3 years, we are on version 4.8. I now print it out double sided color, laminate it and give one to each player.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

[Boge]

With an All Out Attack you're allowed to move up to half your move rounded up without the penalty of a move and attack.

Unfortunately, our GM doesn't seem to like this. I used it once and he was incredibly weirded out about it after I had a VERY uncomfortable rules discussion with him. I don't think he'll allow it and will likely adjust it to something more like a double step instead.

[Plane]

Originally Posted by Boge

I don't think he'll allow it and will likely adjust it to something more like a double step instead.

You can also get a double-step by taking Committed Attack and retain some ability to defend yourself, if you're okay with giving up a +4 hit or +2 dmg or a double.

Kinda seems like maybe AOA should maybe be a bit less mobile if you take the "double" option, like if you want to throw a double-jab with your right hand at the end of a run, how much time is there for thaT?