Steve Jackson Games - Site Navigation
Home General Info Follow Us Search Illuminator Store Forums What's New Other Games Ogre GURPS Munchkin Our Games: Home

Go Back   Steve Jackson Games Forums > Roleplaying > The Fantasy Trip > The Fantasy Trip: House Rules

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-02-2020, 07:13 PM   #1
David Bofinger
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sydney, Australia
Default Limb Strength Scaling

Large figures like centaurs and octopuses have large ST and also lots of limbs. Arguably they should have a smaller ST when they try to do something with their limbs.

Suggestion: instead of using the full ST, use 4 * ST / (number of limbs), round off, round halves down. Examples:
  • An octopus of ST about 20 can use weapons of ST about 10. This is a pretty radical devaluation of the octopus but to me it feels more realistic.
  • A starting PC centaur of ST 14 to 16 can use weapons of ST 9 to 11. The starting centaur is presumably on the weedy side so this doesn't bother me that much.
Maybe this has already been thoroughly discussed.

Last edited by David Bofinger; 10-02-2020 at 07:13 PM. Reason: format
David Bofinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2020, 09:05 PM   #2
hcobb
 
hcobb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pacheco, California
Default Re: Limb Strength Scaling

Gargoyles are also six-limbed, and whataboutism the 5-limb reptile people?
__________________
-HJC
hcobb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2020, 09:34 PM   #3
TippetsTX
 
TippetsTX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: North Texas
Default Re: Limb Strength Scaling

I can see carving out a special ST exception for octopi (on land, of course), but this seems unnecessary for any other race. Besides, centaurs need the reach provided by two-handed weapons.
__________________
“No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style.” -Vladimir Taltos
TippetsTX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2020, 09:22 AM   #4
David Bofinger
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sydney, Australia
Default Re: Limb Strength Scaling

Quote:
Originally Posted by hcobb View Post
Gargoyles are also six-limbed, and whataboutism the 5-limb reptile people?
By all means apply the rule to them as well.
David Bofinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2020, 09:37 AM   #5
David Bofinger
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sydney, Australia
Default Re: Limb Strength Scaling

Quote:
Originally Posted by TippetsTX View Post
I can see carving out a special ST exception for octopi (on land, of course), but this seems unnecessary for any other race.
Maybe not as critical to do it in those cases, but I think useful. And in any case probably better to have a general rule than a special exception.

A centaur whose torso is built like that of a ST 10 human really ought to be (a) capable of wielding a sword much like an ST 10 human and (b) stronger than ST 10 for other purposes.

Quote:
Besides, centaurs need the reach provided by two-handed weapons.
I don't understand this. I mean, everyone *likes* having more reach, but why do they deserve/need it more than anyone else?
David Bofinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2020, 11:34 PM   #6
JimmyPlenty
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Default Re: Limb Strength Scaling

I do like the idea of Octopi not always wielding a great axe just because they can. They are scary enough with three arms and extra hit points.
JimmyPlenty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2020, 11:03 AM   #7
Terquem
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Idaho Falls
Default Re: Limb Strength Scaling

Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyPlenty View Post
I do like the idea of Octopi not always wielding a great axe just because they can. They are scary enough with three arms and extra hit points.
What are these Hit Points you speak of... just kidding

But I also agree that the more explanations for why things are different and can be changed up to make an adventure a little bit different are always a good thing
Terquem is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2020, 11:54 AM   #8
hcobb
 
hcobb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pacheco, California
Default Re: Limb Strength Scaling

"It's a seven hex dragon, with cesti."
__________________
-HJC
hcobb is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Fnords are Off
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.