Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

[aaron819]

Is there a modifier for innate attacks to pass through their victims and hit things behind them, like the Bone Spear spell in Diablo 2 or Lightning Bolt in D&D?

I have the Basic Set, Powers and Power-Ups: Enhancements.

[Dustin]

I would use the Cone enhancement at its basic level (+50%), so it has a 1-yard width at its maximum range. This is functionally identical to a 1-yard wide strip of area effect damage.

[Maz]

Originally Posted by Dustin

I would use the Cone enhancement at its basic level (+50%), so it has a 1-yard width at its maximum range. This is functionally identical to a 1-yard wide strip of area effect damage.

Yup. This also have the added effect that people cant simply dodge it and remain in place; but have to move out of the way

[Anaraxes]

The standard overpenetration rules would apply.

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

The standard overpenetration rules would apply.

That's how I'd roll this.

If you GM needs a fancy Enhancement/Limitation: Overpentration +0%, can only be applied to impaling or piercing damage sources, and does only enough damage* to targets to penetrate, damage is reduced by the amount done to each target it hits. Further targets in line are hit on a 9 or less.

* Not injury, damage. There is a difference.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Maz

Yup. This also have the added effect that people cant simply dodge it and remain in place; but have to move out of the way

It may not be inappropriate to allow for a lesser version of Cone that can be Dodged without changing hexes. Maybe something like +35% if it can be Dodged without changing hexes, +30% if it can be Dodged and (Blocked or Parried), or +25% if all three work. If doing Bone Spear as a literal interpretation from Diablo II to GURPS, it would be at the +25% level. Note here that Blocks/Parries don't prevent the attack from hitting people behind the target - if the attack stops upon being Blocked or Parried, that's probably another -5%.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

The standard overpenetration rules would apply.

Not for the OP's question and referenced abilities. The question here is for attacks that hit everybody in a line, regardless of how durable the guy in front is.

For this, Cone, is the most appropriate modifier.

[Anaraxes]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

Not for the OP's question

Perhaps I'm reading too much into the "pass through... and hit things behind them" phrasing.

I don't remember the details of D2's Bone Spear, but D&D's Lightning Bolt was certainly just a linear AoE attack, affecting each target individually and not absorbed by earlier targets or dependent on hitting them in order. For that effect, you do want Cone.