[UT] Pulse Laser Explosions

[Kale]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

Not in front at all. In _contact_ with him.

Is the damage doubled for a contact explosion?

[jacobmuller]

Not if you mean when an explosive device hits you, eg hit by an impact detonated grenade or rocket (or pulsed laser).

I think you get double damage if you're in an enclosed space of radius less than the blast radius that the explosion cannot escape, eg a grenade inside an AFV.

If you drop on top of an explosive device you take max damage, B415, but that's very different from just "in contact".

Was that any help?

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Kale

Is the damage doubled for a contact explosion?

Eh, probably not. I would assume that all the weapon's "normal" effects on the target are figured into its' base damage for the sake of simplicty as much as anything else.

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

Eh, probably not. I would assume that all the weapon's "normal" effects on the target are figured into its' base damage for the sake of simplicty as much as anything else.

Right. The "contact explosion" rules seem to be intended for tamped or similarly contained explosions, such as when demolition charges are intentionally placed to destroy a structure's supports, or when a soldier throws himself on a grenade. They aren't the same as the rule that explosions in an enclosed area deal more damage, but they are similar in nature, so I wouldn't allow an explosive to claim both bonuses.

[chandley]

Well, and this is pretty clearly spelled out in that first section in the Explosions section. Pertinent line would be "In addition to doing the listed damage to whoever was struck directly, an explosion inflicts "collateral damage" on everything within..."

If you are struck directly by an attack with the notation "ex", you take the listed damage. To get the "Contact Explosions" rule to kick in, you would need to lay on the pulse layer and then fire it, thereby attempting to prevent the collateral damage from affecting anyone. I cant think of a way you could do that if you where shot normally by the laser, though Im sure now some player will make it happen..

[wellspring]

Originally Posted by chandley

If you are struck directly by an attack with the notation "ex", you take the listed damage. To get the "Contact Explosions" rule to kick in, you would need to lay on the pulse layer and then fire it, thereby attempting to prevent the collateral damage from affecting anyone. I cant think of a way you could do that if you where shot normally by the laser, though Im sure now some player will make it happen..

Shooting a target that's inside a transparent container. Of course, for it to be that transparent probably requires superscience, but... um... yeah.

[Kuroshima]

Originally Posted by wellspring

Shooting a target that's inside a transparent container. Of course, for it to be that transparent probably requires superscience, but... um... yeah.

it's not transparent material, it's forcefields!

[jacobmuller]

Originally Posted by chandley

To get the "Contact Explosions" rule to kick in, you would need to lay on the pulse layer and then fire it, thereby attempting to prevent the collateral damage from affecting anyone. I cant think of a way you could do that if you where shot normally by the laser, though Im sure now some player will make it happen..

Pulse-laser mines - UT Toe-poppers (the business end of a pocket pulse laser with a contact triger - ooh, linked powercell explosion?)

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

Pulse-laser mines - UT Toe-poppers (the business end of a pocket pulse laser with a contact triger - ooh, linked powercell explosion?)

Not so powerful. The holdout version only does 2D.

That'll be 7 to the guy who steps on it and 2 to targets in the next hexes. Anyone wearing Assault Boots will ignore such weapons.

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

Not so powerful. The holdout version only does 2D.

That'll be 7 to the guy who steps on it and 2 to targets in the next hexes. Anyone wearing Assault Boots will ignore such weapons.

I think his point is that a pulse-laser "mine" which is stepped on directly would be treated as a contact explosion, dealing maximum damage (12 points) to the target's foot. But you're still right that Assault Boots would negate it. There are better options for lethal traps at TL 10. It might be used as an improvised weapon though.