Taking a skill penalty to increase damage

~~Ragitsu~~ · 09-10-2009, 05:51 PM

I have seen a few board members discuss that they were unhappy at how random damage is for highly skilled warriors, and proposed that taking a reduction in skill during an attack may increase damage by 1 or 2 per die (up to the maximum normal amount). Has anyone worked out a more formal houserule and if so, how has it worked for you?

PK · 09-10-2009, 06:14 PM

This is already covered by Martial Arts. The GM can allow a virtual "technique" which is -2 to skill for +1 damage, or -4 to skill for +2 damage (or +1/die if better). Note that this is definitely cinematic; realistic techniques which allow extra damage always come with some sort of trade-off in drawbacks.

Sense of Duty (Kittens) · 09-10-2009, 06:52 PM

You can do that in the RAW. It's called aiming.

~~Ragitsu~~ · 09-10-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sense of Duty (Kittens)

You can do that in the RAW. It's called aiming.

Aiming, in and of itself, does not add to a roll for a firearm's damage.

roguebfl · 09-10-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragitsu

Aiming, in and of itself, does not add to a roll for a firearm's damage.

if ROF is 2+ it will 8)

Polydamas · 09-10-2009, 07:33 PM

I know some people use a mechanic similar to Karate where high skill in a melee weapon skill gives a bonus to damage. But that wouldn't decrease the randomness of the damage roll. In real life, the effects of wounds are highly unpredictable, and GURPS tries to represent that. Plus, rolling dice for damage is traditional :)

Philosopher Rogue · 09-10-2009, 07:34 PM

Quick, what is the ROF on my sword?!

~~Ragitsu~~ · 09-10-2009, 07:41 PM

No one's trying to take all the randomness out of the game, just some of it. Also note that you don't have to use this (these?) potential houserules.

By the way, while it's technically not allowed, adding a high Rate of Fire to a sword would be cool and evokes images of the Crissaegrim from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Philosopher Rogue · 09-10-2009, 08:04 PM

I think you can do it in some other systems. It should be at least a +50% modifier, minimum.

~~Ragitsu~~ · 09-10-2009, 08:05 PM

Mutants and Masterminds has the Autofire option for melee and ranged weapons alike, but that raises overall damage instead of causing you to land multiple hits.

09-10-2009, 05:51 PM	#1
~~Ragitsu~~ Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon	Taking a skill penalty to increase damage I have seen a few board members discuss that they were unhappy at how random damage is for highly skilled warriors, and proposed that taking a reduction in skill during an attack may increase damage by 1 or 2 per die (up to the maximum normal amount). Has anyone worked out a more formal houserule and if so, how has it worked for you?

09-10-2009, 06:14 PM	#2
PK Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dobbstown Sane Asylum	Re: Taking a skill penalty to increase damage This is already covered by Martial Arts. The GM can allow a virtual "technique" which is -2 to skill for +1 damage, or -4 to skill for +2 damage (or +1/die if better). Note that this is definitely cinematic; realistic techniques which allow extra damage always come with some sort of trade-off in drawbacks. __________________ Reverend Pee Kitty of the Order Malkavian-Dobbsian (Twitter) (LJ) MyGURPS: My house rules and *GURPS* resources. #SJGamesLive: I answered questions about *GURPS After the End* and more! {Watch Video} - {Read Transcript}

09-10-2009, 06:52 PM	#3
Sense of Duty (Kittens) Join Date: Apr 2005	Re: Taking a skill penalty to increase damage You can do that in the RAW. It's called aiming. __________________ Steal Energy- giving Dungeon Fantasy wizards a pretext to learn healing magic since 2004.

09-10-2009, 07:33 PM	#6
Polydamas Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Europe	Re: Taking a skill penalty to increase damage I know some people use a mechanic similar to Karate where high skill in a melee weapon skill gives a bonus to damage. But that wouldn't decrease the randomness of the damage roll. In real life, the effects of wounds are highly unpredictable, and GURPS tries to represent that. Plus, rolling dice for damage is traditional :) __________________ "It is easier to banish a habit of thought than a piece of knowledge." H. Beam Piper This forum got less aggravating when I started using the ignore feature

09-10-2009, 07:34 PM	#7
Philosopher Rogue Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lexington, KY	Re: Taking a skill penalty to increase damage Quick, what is the ROF on my sword?!

09-10-2009, 07:41 PM	#8
~~Ragitsu~~ Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon	Re: Taking a skill penalty to increase damage No one's trying to take all the randomness out of the game, just some of it. Also note that you don't have to use this (these?) potential houserules. By the way, while it's technically not allowed, adding a high Rate of Fire to a sword would be cool and evokes images of the Crissaegrim from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Last edited by Ragitsu; 09-10-2009 at 07:48 PM.

09-10-2009, 08:04 PM	#9
Philosopher Rogue Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lexington, KY	Re: Taking a skill penalty to increase damage I think you can do it in some other systems. It should be at least a +50% modifier, minimum.

09-10-2009, 08:05 PM	#10
~~Ragitsu~~ Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon	Re: Taking a skill penalty to increase damage Mutants and Masterminds has the Autofire option for melee and ranged weapons alike, but that raises overall damage instead of causing you to land multiple hits.