A Simple Question - Conversion of GURPS Deadlands Hex "Soul Blast"

[Hero of Canton]

I am trying to convert the 3e GURPS Deadlands Hex Soul Blast into something compatible with 4e GURPS and I have run into a snag.

The Hex description in GURPS Deadlands states that Soul Blast not only ignores all DR (except Toughness) but also has no range penalties of any sort.

This seems too dang powerful to me. IMHO Soul Blast in a GURPS 4e version of Deadlands should have either but not both of "No DR" or "No Range Penalties".

Here's what I propose;

Soul Blast
It is a Missile Spell
The Hex is cast as per GURPS Deadlands 3e rules.
Then Roll vs. the Skill Innate Attack (Beam) to hit.
DR is ignored, but not Toughness.
Normal Range Penalties Apply.
Specific Hit Locations cannot be targeted. (Part of the price paid for ignoring DR.)

Watcha think?

HoC

[Crakkerjakk]

What's "Toughness"?

[Turhan's Bey Company]

Originally Posted by Crakkerjakk

What's "Toughness"?

That's how 3e and earlier editions of GURPS pronounced "natural DR."

[Turhan's Bey Company]

Originally Posted by Hero of Canton

This seems too dang powerful to me.

I don't disagree, but note that "too powerful" != "incompatible." Anything which can be described in terms of GURPS rules is essentially compatible. That said, if the effects are as you describe them, I'd say it was too powerful in 3e as well.

Anyway, for a maximum 4e feel, have you tried modeling this as an Innate Attack advantage rather than as a spell? That'd give you a point cost that might feel more commensurate with the spell's power.

[capnoni]

It also only did fatigue damage.

[Hero of Canton]

Originally Posted by capnoni

It also only did fatigue damage.

Thanks for your comment, but that's never how I've seen it handled. I'm looking at page 78 of GURPS Deadlands and I am seeing fatigue damage listed only for a Hand that is a lowly Pair. Also if you draw The Dead Man's Hand it "kills the target automatically."

Anybody else wanna chime in on this? Is capnoni correct and all Soul Blast damage only fatigue damage? I'd love it if that were the case, but I'd be surprised if it is.

The Hero of Canton

[knarf]

Originally Posted by Hero of Canton

Thanks for your comment, but that's never how I've seen it handled. I'm looking at page 78 of GURPS Deadlands and I am seeing fatigue damage listed only for a Hand that is a lowly Pair. Also if you draw The Dead Man's Hand it "kills the target automatically."

Anybody else wanna chime in on this? Is capnoni correct and all Soul Blast damage only fatigue damage? I'd love it if that were the case, but I'd be surprised if it is.

The Hero of Canton

Making it a fatigue attack would make a degree of sense, since (as is made clear in 4e) fatigue loss over your FP pool is taken as HP damage. Low effect is just fatigue, higher effect is damage, and ultimate effect equals death.

[Hero of Canton]

Originally Posted by Turhan's Bey Company

I don't disagree, but note that "too powerful" != "incompatible." Anything which can be described in terms of GURPS rules is essentially compatible. That said, if the effects are as you describe them, I'd say it was too powerful in 3e as well.

Anyway, for a maximum 4e feel, have you tried modeling this as an Innate Attack advantage rather than as a spell? That'd give you a point cost that might feel more commensurate with the spell's power.

Thanks TBC, I might give that a try, to see how the numbers would crunch.

The Hero of Canton

[Hero of Canton]

Now our parder, capnoni, stated that Soul Blast does only subdual damage. Does anyone else see it that way?

The Hero of Canton

[copeab]

Originally Posted by Hero of Canton

I am trying to convert the 3e GURPS Deadlands Hex Soul Blast into something compatible with 4e GURPS and I have run into a snag.

The Hex description in GURPS Deadlands states that Soul Blast not only ignores all DR (except Toughness) but also has no range penalties of any sort.

This seems too dang powerful to me. IMHO Soul Blast in a GURPS 4e version of Deadlands should have either but not both of "No DR" or "No Range Penalties".

Armor is uncommon in Deadlands, so the "ignores DR" provision isn't likely to come into play often. Doesn't seem too overpowered too me.

And yes, it only does fatigue damage on a pair (or so it seems to me).