09-22-2011, 09:16 AM | #1 |
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[Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
Greetings, all!
After re-reading an old thread with a Krommquote about Leech, I decided to try out the concept in GURPS. This, combined with the oft-repeated truth that a 'tank' character must not only survive lots of damage, but also present a credible threat in order to actually make mooks target him/her/it over the squishies, is the prime incentive to try out a drain-tank build - a character who heals damage by inflicting damage. Base assumptions: The analysis is intended for a high-powered fantasy or low-powered supers campaign - combat ability budget between 200 and 500 points, and an expectation that mooks might do up to 3d worth of damage (Lieutenants and bosses more than that). Minimum requirements: [edit]Totally forgot about Ranged, but I'm not in the mood to redo calcs by hand or make a sheet right now.[/edit] Leech costs a base of 25 points, +4 per level beyond the first. For even remotely efficient drain-tanking, it requires an enhancement - Accelerated Healing for +25%. To have the barest of range, it needs Malediction I for +100%, or perhaps even II for +150% (not likely to be very affordable). That turns out to be +125% or +175%, perhaps +200% for some extra enhancements. Maybe some negligible discounts for Power Source. At the realistic minimum, that is 57 (56¼ to be precise) points for starters, and 9 per extra level. Mooks typically have HP10, have little to no defense against maledictions (except the base saving throw) and either risk, or automatically fall unconscious at -0, so we have a big incentive to deal roughly 10 damage per cast, perhaps up to 20 if we want to be deadly. Attack costs would be: 10 damage per cast: [138] 15 damage per cast: [183] 20 damage per cast: [228]. Now, first thing I should warn about is that with decent skill (e.g. from being based on above-average Will) and close quarters combats, a hit rate of roughly 50% is likely. So our DPS (and thus base HPS) is half of our ideal damage per cast. Now, of course we're gonna stack +HP for this character. Let's opt for looking at the numbers 200 and 300 as possible point caps (I'm assuming that for combat budgets higher than 300, the PC might want to buy some other abilities, perhaps as AA's). The 200-point cap:
The 300-point cap:
Comparison: 3d of damage (IA, non-Malediction) is roughly 15 points, or 30 if Malediction I. 10DR is 50 points, and will allow survival against lots and lots of attacks. 15DR for 75 points (if allowed) results in better survivability for a lower cost. Conclusion: Drain-tanking doesn't look very attractive, even though it has the upside of being able to negate armour-piercing attacks by healing the next turn. Any ideas on better builds? Thanks in advance! Last edited by vicky_molokh; 09-22-2011 at 02:07 PM. Reason: [edit]Totally forgot about Ranged, but I'm not in the mood to redo calcs by hand or make a sheet right now.[/edit] |
09-22-2011, 10:58 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
Imbuements and Vampiric Weapon comes to mind as an alternative. More of a Death Knight feel than a Warlock feel, and usually melee ranged.
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09-22-2011, 11:02 AM | #3 | |
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
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That being said, I indeed suspect that on average, Imbuements will offer a better deal. |
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09-22-2011, 12:45 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
I think DR should be included to prevent the occasional shot to the vitals from killing you. Injury Tolerance might work as well. Probably kinda tough to fit into the 200 point cap. Depending on the TL, a tac suit should work quite well (20 DR). For fantasy, some chain will have to do unless you want to buy more ST. Definitely get a helmet. Together with the extra HP, that might be enough to stave off death until someone sets you on fire.
Last edited by arconom; 09-22-2011 at 12:49 PM. |
09-22-2011, 01:13 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rochester, MN
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
Two thoughts:
1) Reduce Leech but Link it to an Innate Attack to increase damage. 2) Add Area Effect to Leech to hit multiple targets per use. |
09-22-2011, 01:20 PM | #6 | |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
Quote:
I thought about it, but the cost is huge, and the chance that multiple mooks will conveniently occupy the appropriate area is small. I was curious about the option of Cyclic (e.g. how Corruption used to work with Soul Siphon). But again, sufficiently fast cycles in large numbers are prohibitive (though perhaps this makes sense with Malediction II and lots of other Enhancements). |
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09-22-2011, 02:06 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The ASS of the world, mainly Valencia, Spain (Europe)
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
Leech is woefully inefficient, point-wise, as a way to do damage. Malediction only aggravates the issue (and you need ranged on top of it), because Leech already ignores DR. Now, Leech isn't an Attack (and does not require Attack maneuvers), last time I checked, and works as a free action, once you've got the conditions right. This means you could be in AoD, and Malediction-leeching. This makes drain tanking much more interesting!
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09-22-2011, 02:08 PM | #8 | |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The ASS of the world, mainly Valencia, Spain (Europe)
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
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IIRC, area effect does not increase the healing, only the damage, but I can't find the krommpost where I saw this. |
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09-22-2011, 02:11 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
It's certainly the ruling I go with, Kromm or not. I have SEEN what happens if you assume otherwise with similar things, and it's mwe ugly.
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09-22-2011, 02:20 PM | #10 | ||
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Re: [Powers] Drain-Tanking in GURPS (Leech+HP as offence AND defence)
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attack ability, attack maneuver, damage resistance, healing, leech, powers, tanking |
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