Reality check: Knockout gas?

[AmesJainchill]

Originally Posted by Akicita

Back on topic, Doc also had a knock-out gas that knocked out everyone on stage at the time, never caused fatalities or any other medical complications, and dissipated harmlessly after 60 seconds, so that Doc could just hold his breath for the duration.

Being a writer is even better than being a GM--there's not even other players to complain.

[J.C.D.]

Well, the whole point of this, and all my 'reality check' posts, is to look at things that seem common in media and evaluate how realistic they are for the sake of those who want to run an at least moderately realistic game world setting.

So, based on nothing more than the fact we don't see knockout gas being used in prisons, by police, etc, I'd say it fails the RC, but I was looking for other people's opinions.

[Magnus]

Well, the whole point of this, and all my 'reality check' posts, is to look at things that seem common in media and evaluate how realistic they are for the sake of those who want to run an at least moderately realistic game world setting.

The answer depends on the question.

Does knockout gas exist? Yes, and it's apparently effective enough for the russian government to deployon a large scale.

Does it work like in the movies? No, but what does?

Are players going to want to use it? Of course.

In GURPS terms, I'd say respiratory agent, a delay somewhere from ten seconds to a minute, dealing 2 fatigue damage with a HT-1 roll to resist. Most of those numbers are arbitrary, but they'll work for a starting point.

[quarkstomper]

Originally Posted by Akicita

Back on topic, Doc also had a knock-out gas that knocked out everyone on stage at the time, never caused fatalities or any other medical complications, and dissipated harmlessly after 60 seconds, so that Doc could just hold his breath for the duration.

Also, Doc taught every member of his team the Mayan phrase for "Hold your breath!"

I'm not sure how realistic that is, but it was a running gag in a WWII Supers game I ran once where my brother played the Man of Bronze.