Is combat deadly enough?

[scott2978]

This has probly been discussed at least once here, but it was so long ago that opinions may have changed.

The way I see it, barring the expenditure of character or force points, the average PC has 3D Strength and the average blaster does 4D damage. That's 1D over and above the Strength roll, which on average will yield 3 points of damage, which equates to "stunned". In the movies blasters are show to be excessively deadly - there are like 2 cases in all 6 movies of anyone being merely "wounded" by a blaster hit out of dozens of blaster hits. And if any of those hit people were really still alive, the movies make zero effort to show that anyone can survive a blaster. Notice any Stormtrooper medics?

So, is blaster combat deadly enough?

I know, I read in the SWRPG:RE that you can spend 2 CP's on blaster the book says that's an evil act, and besides most lowbie trooper enemy NPCs don't have any. So why does the rule book say that "Combat is deadly!" ???


Scott

[vong]

i find that it is deadly.

First, you say you never see stormtrooper medics. that is because the empire doesnt care enough about its troopers to heal them. also, you dont need a medic, you just drag them to a bacta tank and dunk em in if you want to save them.

Second. Strength of 4D is higher then average, 3D is the average i would think. average blaster is 5D that puts it 2D above (average 6). SO every time you get hit you get wounded. and if you are wounded and get wounded again, you get wounded twice, then incapicatated, and so on. so you see how one shot is ok, youll live, but you get more its gonna start to add up. and you will have -D to all you skills, including strength, so the frist tiem you get wounded they have +3D over you which would be average 9 over you. and now your unconcious, and considered wounded twice, thats -2d. now they have 4D over you which brings you to on average 12 over, which is still in teh incapacitaed range, but that would bring you to mortally wounded.

So, basically it shows that you can survive the first shot, but the second will probably bring you down to the ground, and will be finished off shortly there after. if you see in the movies the good guys get hit once in a combat, they hurt, but keep going. you dont see them get hit a second time

thats my 2 cents worth

ps, add in a repeating blaster of 6D damage, and your talking serious pain!
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[Xynar]

I also use the leathality rules from Rules of Engagement. This tends to make things a bit deadlier.
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Xynar
The Great Adventurer

[Effex Seven]

[scott2978]

Yeah I saw that it also says in the 2nd edition R&E rulebook that you always roll your full STR dice to resist damage.

I disagree that the average blaster does 5D damage. A hold out blaster is listed as doing like 3D depending on where you see it, and a blaster carbine or heavy blaster pistol does 5D. So I would put the average everyday non-heavy blaster at 4D.

And about stormtrooper medics, not every wound can be healed by a bacta tank. Lost limbs can't be re-attached with a bacta tank. A person with their guts hanging out their belly can't just dive into a bacta tank. So does the Empire spend millions of credits and years of time recruiting and training stormtroopers just to leave them to die at the slightest injury? Probably not. Unless there are no slight injuries. That's why I think there are no stormtrooper medics, because nobody ever survives a direct hit.

[Ankhanu]

[garhkal]

[Ankhanu]

[scott2978]

Top ten things I do to prevent PCs from overdoing it with heavy armor:

Use some, none or all according to your campaign:

1> Don't make the PCs need armor too often.

2> Make armor penalties stack, a blast vest only covers your chest.

3> For GM invented armor, the better the armor, the worse the penalties.

4> Never give an NPC something you wouldn't want the group to have.

5> Use armor damage rules and make the PCs pay for armor maintenance.

6> Enforce the law. Armor or weapons above a blast vest and a sporting blaster require registration and permits.

7> Make the public in general distrustful of those wearing heavy armor for the reasons stated in previous posts.

8> Make helmets come seperately. Remember #2 above.

9> Use called shots more often on PCs wearing heavy armor, or use them exclusively on those wearing heavy armor.

10> Make some jealous criminal types come after the PCs for their heavy armor.



After reading the comments posted here, I think combat is indeed deadly enough. None of my group are munchkins and none of them have any armor better than a blast vest. Plus, using the above guidelines I should be able to discourage heavy armor for all but the real necessities (taking part in a major battle, for example).


Scott

[Kayle Skolaris]

Armor built for a Wookiee should cost a LOT more than normal. And it should be extremely uncomfortable for the walking carpet to wear.

[garhkal]

And my personal fave way to neuter armor..

Use called shots TO THE armor itself' especially powered armor. Take out the power generator, and they are stuck in a tin can.
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[Aardon24689]

[Xynar]

Can you say Ion gun?
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Xynar
The Great Adventurer

[garhkal]

I did that once... hit someone wearing juggernaught armor with a DEMP grenade..
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[Xynar]