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Old 06-14-2018, 08:53 AM   #1
aaron819
 
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Default Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

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.
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Old 06-14-2018, 09:00 AM   #2
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

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.
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Old 06-14-2018, 09:35 AM   #3
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

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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
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Old 06-14-2018, 10:16 AM   #4
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

The standard overpenetration rules would apply.
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Old 06-14-2018, 10:59 AM   #5
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

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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%.
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Old 06-14-2018, 11:09 AM   #6
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

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Originally Posted by Anaraxes View Post
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.
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Old 06-14-2018, 11:59 AM   #7
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

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Originally Posted by Anaraxes View Post
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.
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Old 06-14-2018, 12:21 PM   #8
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

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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.
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Old 06-14-2018, 12:53 PM   #9
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

Cone doesn't really do pass through. The front subjects can provide cover for those completely behind them (p. B413). I would go with area effect line for some of the effects I have seen.
If your ok with just sometimes hitting those behind rather than actual pass through cone would be ok.
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Old 06-14-2018, 01:06 PM   #10
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Default Re: Innate Attacks That Pass Through Victims

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Originally Posted by Refplace View Post
Cone doesn't really do pass through. The front subjects can provide cover for those completely behind them (p. B413).
Overhead would help with this issue. You'd want a lesser version if it doesn't apply defense penalties.
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