should a "Ricochet" attack using boomerang be possible in realistic games? how hard?

Plane · 02-07-2022, 07:31 PM

I was watching the OP for Batman TAS and of course when he disarms a pair of gunmen using a single Batarang this got my GURPS wheels turning...

https://youtu.be/MhdZtFWyZGo

You don't actually see Batman catch his batarang so it doesn't contrast with B226's Thrown Weapon: Stick.

LT72 says "returning versions are unsuitable as weapons and in any event wouldn’t return if they hit." but we're not actually talking about returning to the thrower, just hitting a 2nd target in an adjacent hex after bouncing off the 1st.

The best I can think of is using P166's optional rule for Ricochets but it's defined as a non-realistic rule to emulate comic-book physics. If taking a "Batman is realistic he's just a skill god" approach I'm wondering how much tougher than "-2 per bounce" you should be when using this rule.

I was thinking maybe something like when using the speed/range table, instead of just adding the 2nd distance (between thugs) maybe you should progressively double the distance of each extra step?

So for example if it was 3 yards to the first thug, 2 yards between 1st and 2nd, 1 yard between 2nd and third, you would do 1*3+2*2+1*4 = 11 yards, instead of just treating it like 6 yards.

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Also regarding what Batman does immediately after... does that seem like a Flying Tackle where he used Breakfall to turn the normal result of a Flying Tackle (you fell on the ground) into just a Crouch?

I'm thinking the way Batman goes on the defensive (dodges 3 punches: a left cross, a right upper, then another right cross; Batman does a left uppercut to the body to Stop-Hit the guy's 4th punch, a right haymaker) that maybe he's doing Evaluates to regain some Action Points?

02-07-2022, 07:31 PM	#1
Plane Join Date: Aug 2018	should a "Ricochet" attack using boomerang be possible in realistic games? how hard? I was watching the OP for Batman TAS and of course when he disarms a pair of gunmen using a single Batarang this got my GURPS wheels turning... https://youtu.be/MhdZtFWyZGo You don't actually see Batman catch his batarang so it doesn't contrast with B226's Thrown Weapon: Stick. LT72 says "returning versions are unsuitable as weapons and in any event wouldn’t return if they hit." but we're not actually talking about returning to the thrower, just hitting a 2nd target in an adjacent hex after bouncing off the 1st. The best I can think of is using P166's optional rule for Ricochets but it's defined as a non-realistic rule to emulate comic-book physics. If taking a "Batman is realistic he's just a skill god" approach I'm wondering how much tougher than "-2 per bounce" you should be when using this rule. I was thinking maybe something like when using the speed/range table, instead of just adding the 2nd distance (between thugs) maybe you should progressively double the distance of each extra step? So for example if it was 3 yards to the first thug, 2 yards between 1st and 2nd, 1 yard between 2nd and third, you would do 13+22+1*4 = 11 yards, instead of just treating it like 6 yards. - - Also regarding what Batman does immediately after... does that seem like a Flying Tackle where he used Breakfall to turn the normal result of a Flying Tackle (you fell on the ground) into just a Crouch? I'm thinking the way Batman goes on the defensive (dodges 3 punches: a left cross, a right upper, then another right cross; Batman does a left uppercut to the body to Stop-Hit the guy's 4th punch, a right haymaker) that maybe he's doing Evaluates to regain some Action Points?