Hit location, and armor

[Snapshot]

Thanks to everyone for the discussion and inspiration. I'm loathe to make the combat system too complicated, since that doesn't seem to be in the spirit of the game.

I've decided to pull a hit location table from another system (probably GURPS) and adjust/simplify for d6. As others have said, getting "killed" in the arm probably shouldn't result in immediate death (ie, cap result to mortally wounded), and get popped in the skull should probably be worse than taking one in the arm.

I'm not sure how to handle called shots just yet. In my mind, the "generous" +1D for a head shot makes it too compelling for my players, and it's only fair if they are head-shotting everything, then the baddies will be doing it back! I am toying with the idea that for each +1D bonus on the attack roll, the player (or non-mook NPC) can adjust the hit location dice by +1 (my hit location table will be a 3D roll). Would need some playtesting I think.

[Mamatried]

welcome to te Pit, Snapshot.

I just came up with a possible alternative.

if we take for granted that most shots are somewhat aimed, and thus will hit the torso area, then we can rule that on wild dice something happens outside that.

then on called shots, at the -1d or more when a hit is in the arm, we simply reduce the damage dice, or the result.
this way an arm wound is not a deadly as a chest wound.
hor the head we add +50% or double the result.

or add and remove dice for damage.

+2D head
+0D torso
-1D leg
-2D arm

then disregard hitlocation on normal attacks, use it for called shots and or with the wild dice.

and then any location table worsk and is just changed into xD6 to decide location.

6-8 may be left leg etc
on a 2D6

[Snapshot]

I agree Mamatried. I'm going down the path of +/- D for some locations.

[dph]

REUP and the 2ER&E have the same penalty for a head shot (the size of a head making it fit the -1D penalty called shot category)

My player's use headshots often, particularly if they're not combat orientated (making their one shot count).

And yes, even though the rules discuss hit location as an 'optional' system, they ONLY provide armour values with that in mind.
I think if you want to keep it simple, just apply the Chest armour to all locations. Not perfect and it makes certain types of armour more powerful (like Hunter Armour) but perhaps called shots at legs and other exposed locations will make up for that.
It's the same issue with grenades for me. Seems silly that a blast would hit one location... but then what do you do? I always default to chest.

I myself have been trying to work out an elegant way for simplifying (eliminating) hit locations for my own D6 system. I think you'd have to fundamentally redesign how armour works...

As for hit location, I found that a D12 is a much more elegant way to do it.
1-2 Head
3 L Arm
4 r Arm
5-6 L Leg
7-8 R Leg
9-12 Body.

Then I found this amazing little die... [url] https://www.ebay.com/itm/RPG-Set-of-7-D12-Hit-Location-Die/222864684485?hash=item33e3c535c5:g:nmcAAOSwH1damkQS[/url]

It DOES have one face with something other than a location ('Target' I believe) but if you use it as 'head' it ends up being the same break down as above and no need to reference a chart!
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[garhkal]

[Naaman]

A femoral artery shot is not an instant kill. Its a mortal wound. My original remark is correct.

And I think 2D+5 for a head shot is not unreasonable. Headshots are tough to make against a live target who is aware of you, let alone shooting back. Heck, they are hard enough on paper targets at combat speed under time pressure.

[Dredwulf60]