Robotics and DR: they cannot hurt each other.

[Alonsua]

I have been reading the 51 Pyramid and came to the conclusion that advanced and rugged cyborgs cannot punch or kick to hurt each other. Is that right and has been done on purpose?

[Diomedes]

I'm not sure what you mean. Are you referring to the fact that "ruggedized" cybernetics (on page 17) have x2 DR?

[AlexanderHowl]

Two people in Commando Battlesuits might as well spit on each other as punch each other, it will do just as much good, so the 'problem' is not limited just to cyborgs or robots. Unarmed or melee combat against armored targets is probably less effective than harsh language at TL9+. Of course, this is why you have force swords.

[ErhnamDJ]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

Two people in Commando Battlesuits might as well spit on each other as punch each other, it will do just as much good, so the 'problem' is not limited just to cyborgs or robots.

This applies to men in regular armor as well. The traditional answer has been grappling.

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by ErhnamDJ

This applies to men in regular armor as well. The traditional answer has been grappling.

And a darned fine answer it is.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by ErhnamDJ

This applies to men in regular armor as well. The traditional answer has been grappling.

Though armor is a bit easier to damage than GURPS (or most RPGs) admits, probably because having a smith work on your armor for a few hours after every fight would be annoying.

[Anaraxes]

Originally Posted by DouglasCole

And a darned fine answer it is.

Technically speaking, I suppose you must be right.

[Alonsua]

Originally Posted by ErhnamDJ

This applies to men in regular armor as well. The traditional answer has been grappling.

How do you use that against rigid armor?

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Alonsua

How do you use that against rigid armor?

You pin them down and then insert sharp objects in weak spots.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Though armor is a bit easier to damage than GURPS (or most RPGs) admits, probably because having a smith work on your armor for a few hours after every fight would be annoying.

GURPS also doesn't have rules for popping seals, working the catches on someone's ultra-tech armour or getting at the air lines, etc. on a suit where some of that stuff is exposed.

One problem we've found with grappling is that rigid armour prevents quite a lot of damaging grappling attacks from doing much of anything, so you end up with a situation where someone is pinned and all you can really do is keep them pinned while someone finds a serious cutting tool or drill.

So, what we really need is a discussion on how hard it is to undo and remove armour from someone that doesn't want you to. Presumably it's very hard to effectively impossible if they are free to move around and defend themselves, and becomes progressively less difficult the more grappled and bound up they are, especially if you have friends who are not grappling and can reach in and work the catches, ties, or whatever.

Also, the harder it is for bad people to pop your armour, the harder it is for you or for friends to do so when it's being eaten by nasty alien acid-for-blood.