Targeting specific locations, difficulty and fairness issues

Beowulfenator · 08-23-2010, 07:39 PM

Here's what Basic Set says:
"You never have to target a hit location - you can always just strike at “whatever target presents itself.” To do so, attack with no modifier for hit location."

Question number 1. What's the point of aiming for the torso? Consider a lightly armored target: DR2 on torso and groin, DR1 on limbs and unarmored head. Why would anyone try to hit the guy's torso (let's say with a saber - cutting attack)? There's a pretty high (i'd say about 80%) chance a random hit would land elsewhere, and would produce much better results. The limbs are less armored, and a collapsed combatant with a crippled leg is pretty much out of combat. A crippled arm as well, especially right arm. The head and face are even better damage-wise. And all that without the pesky to-hit penalty!

Question number 2. Is it so hard to hit the head versus hitting arms? I've heard an opinion from a fencer that hitting the head is not harder than hitting the shoulder, and certainly easier than hitting a hand. Yet the skull is at -7 to hit.

Am I overlooking something?

08-23-2010, 07:39 PM	#1
Beowulfenator Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kiev, Ukraine	Targeting specific locations, difficulty and fairness issues Here's what Basic Set says: "You never have to target a hit location - you can always just strike at “whatever target presents itself.” To do so, attack with no modifier for hit location." Question number 1. What's the point of aiming for the torso? Consider a lightly armored target: DR2 on torso and groin, DR1 on limbs and unarmored head. Why would anyone try to hit the guy's torso (let's say with a saber - cutting attack)? There's a pretty high (i'd say about 80%) chance a random hit would land elsewhere, and would produce much better results. The limbs are less armored, and a collapsed combatant with a crippled leg is pretty much out of combat. A crippled arm as well, especially right arm. The head and face are even better damage-wise. And all that without the pesky to-hit penalty! Question number 2. Is it so hard to hit the head versus hitting arms? I've heard an opinion from a fencer that hitting the head is not harder than hitting the shoulder, and certainly easier than hitting a hand. Yet the skull is at -7 to hit. Am I overlooking something?