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Old 08-04-2020, 06:26 PM   #1
Mirtai
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Default Blocking with Large objects

OK, got a question for the crowd.

Let's say a character has super human strength, or perhaps a high level of TK.

They've got hold of something big... say a full sized couch, or a car. And someone shoots at them.

Can they use the couch (or car) to block the bullets with? Would that use the Shield skill? Would a car give a defense bonus?

In general... how would blocking with something bigger than yourself work, assuming you had the power to move something like that as easily as a regular person uses a shield?
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Old 08-04-2020, 06:40 PM   #2
Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

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Originally Posted by Mirtai View Post
OK, got a question for the crowd.

<snip>

Can they use the couch (or car) to block the bullets with? Would that use the Shield skill? Would a car give a defense bonus?

In general... how would blocking with something bigger than yourself work, assuming you had the power to move something like that as easily as a regular person uses a shield?
It depends.

In general, if it's being used close enough to be bigger than you and you only have ordinary senses, you can't see over it/through it to be able to Block with it. Instead count its HP and DR as cover.

If you're using it at a distance where you can see to Block with it, then it should be usable as a shield and should get a defense bonus, but does not count as cover.
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Old 08-04-2020, 07:07 PM   #3
Say, it isn't that bad!
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

Also, on a realism note (which tends to politely ignore what's happening in universes with superpowers), car doors and couches are ineffective in blocking almost any bullet.

Armoured car doors can block some bullets; "bulletproof" is the calibre of bullet that armour will block.
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Old 08-04-2020, 07:34 PM   #4
Mirtai
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

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Originally Posted by Say, it isn't that bad! View Post
Also, on a realism note (which tends to politely ignore what's happening in universes with superpowers), car doors and couches are ineffective in blocking almost any bullet.

Armoured car doors can block some bullets; "bulletproof" is the calibre of bullet that armour will block.
Well, entire cars would block bullets a bit better than just the door, especially the engine block. I'd assume. That said, regular shields aren't bulletproof either. Unless you've got Captain America's shield (which would be an indestructible gadget). But you do subtract their DR from a damage the bullets do when you use one to block.

A big couch would probably suck up most of the damage from small caliber ammo, anyway. I would think.

Last edited by Mirtai; 08-04-2020 at 07:40 PM.
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Old 08-04-2020, 07:37 PM   #5
Mirtai
 
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Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

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Originally Posted by Curmudgeon View Post
It depends.

In general, if it's being used close enough to be bigger than you and you only have ordinary senses, you can't see over it/through it to be able to Block with it. Instead count its HP and DR as cover.

If you're using it at a distance where you can see to Block with it, then it should be usable as a shield and should get a defense bonus, but does not count as cover.
Yeah, but how do you figure out the defense bonus for a car, if your telekinetic is using it as a shield?
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Old 08-04-2020, 07:57 PM   #6
Tinman
 
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Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

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Originally Posted by Mirtai View Post
Yeah, but how do you figure out the defense bonus for a car, if your telekinetic is using it as a shield?
I wouldn't.
If a TK was able to wield a car as a shield, I wouldn't use the shield mechanics. I'd use the Cover & Overpenetration rules (BB p.407-408).
Effectively it's mobile cover not a shield.

As a side note by RAW one can't use a shield to block bullets (BB p.375), However, there is an optional rule that does let shield users use them as cover. (Can't find the page) The shield takes damage as appropriate, but no DB.
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Old 08-04-2020, 08:02 PM   #7
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Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

Quote:
Originally Posted by Say, it isn't that bad! View Post
Also, on a realism note (which tends to politely ignore what's happening in universes with superpowers), car doors and couches are ineffective in blocking almost any bullet.

Armoured car doors can block some bullets; "bulletproof" is the calibre of bullet that armour will block.
Actually, it's been shown that pistol caliber rounds can & often are stopped by car doors.

However, you are 100% correct that rifle, shotgun & carbine (even pistol caliber carbine) rounds will go right through every part of a car except the engine block.
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Old 08-04-2020, 09:01 PM   #8
Say, it isn't that bad!
 
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Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

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Actually, it's been shown that pistol caliber rounds can & often are stopped by car doors.

However, you are 100% correct that rifle, shotgun & carbine (even pistol caliber carbine) rounds will go right through every part of a car except the engine block.
I would guess that's the 9mm and .22 range of pistol calibres?

...yeah, remembering Demolition Range (youtube) gun test videos, a steel car door sounds about right to block 9mm and .22 pistol bullets. Maybe .32 as well, depending on the weight of car door.
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Old 08-05-2020, 04:42 PM   #9
Prince Charon
 
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Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

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Originally Posted by Mirtai View Post
Unless you've got Captain America's shield (which would be an indestructible gadget).
How much is an indestructible shield-gadget worth? I'm not sure GURPS has that as an option (like, you can be virtually indestructible, or you can be insubstantial, but you cannot actually be immune to e.g. kinetic damage that can hit you).
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Old 08-05-2020, 11:49 PM   #10
Mirtai
 
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Default Re: Blocking with Large objects

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How much is an indestructible shield-gadget worth? I'm not sure GURPS has that as an option (like, you can be virtually indestructible, or you can be insubstantial, but you cannot actually be immune to e.g. kinetic damage that can hit you).
GURPS does, in fact, have that option. Check pg 78 of GURPS Supers. An indestructible shield with a DB of 2 would cost 42 points.
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