06-04-2021, 09:12 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Snoopy's basement
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Detonating Cord question
Det cord is listed in GURPS High-Tech on page 187. It says a pound of it would do 5Dx2 cr ex damage.
My question is, how much damage would it do when a line is laid out to a charater stepping over it? |
06-04-2021, 10:03 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Iceland*
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Re: Detonating Cord question
Well, det cord has 0.066 lbs. of explosive material (PETN) per yard, so, that's the damage for that hex.
I don't think the other two neighbouring hexes contribute much. Maybe a +1 or so to damage.
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06-04-2021, 10:13 AM | #3 | |
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Detonating Cord question
Quote:
Remember this stuff isn't intended to be used to damage stuff, it's supposed to be used a *detonater* for setting off other explosives. Asking how much damage it will do is like asking how much a blasting cap will. From the designer's standpoint the "ideal" case would be zero, it would be able to set off explosives but be totally safe by itself. The manufacturers have done everything to minimize the damage, and maximize the difficulty of setting it off, that they can get away with without causing it to no longer work for the intended purpose.
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-- MA Lloyd |
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06-04-2021, 10:17 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Re: Detonating Cord question
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If anyone wonders I multiplied the actual weight (.066) x the REF (1.8 for PETN) and then took the square root and multiplied that by 42 (damage for 1 lb of TNT). I believe that's the right order for the operations. I don't necessarily trust the formula for explosive charges so small.
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Fred Brackin |
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06-04-2021, 10:30 AM | #5 | |
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Detonating Cord question
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06-04-2021, 12:32 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Snoopy's basement
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Re: Detonating Cord question
Hm.
Using Icelander's figure of 0.066 lbs per yard, the High-Tech REF of 1.7 for PETN, and the explosive damage formula from Basic p.415 (6x(SQRT(weight*4*REF)) I work it out to 2.34 dice or 2d+1 damage. If it was wrapped around something it would do the max damage = 13. Last edited by Donny Brook; 06-04-2021 at 12:36 PM. |
06-04-2021, 12:50 PM | #7 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Southeast NC
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Re: Detonating Cord question
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RyanW - Actually one normal sized guy in three tiny trenchcoats. |
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06-04-2021, 01:16 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Snoopy's basement
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Re: Detonating Cord question
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06-04-2021, 02:27 PM | #9 | |
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Re: Detonating Cord question
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Arguably, the force of very small explosions of uncompressed mostly undirected force, like det cord laid straight and loose along the ground, will taper off faster than GURPS RAW. The 4d figure calculated by others would probably be most appropriate for people very close to the explosion or even in contact (rather than x3 damage for contact explosion). Apparently, det cord also comes in different grades, with greater or lesser REF per yard/meter, so the GM can adjust damage levels, as can someone who makes their Explosives (Demolition) skill roll. FWIW, here is video of a length of det cord exploding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVmWtCGyEYs |
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06-04-2021, 02:35 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Snoopy's basement
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Re: Detonating Cord question
The use-case here is that my players want to make an impromptu bangalore with det cord and PVC. I figure the PVC has DR3 and for the guy standing over it the only exposed areas for damage are the legs, feet and groin.
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