4th Ed. Called Shot rules - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

4th Ed. Called Shot rules

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
smaks
Jul 24, 2008 19:25:34 I'm thinking about adding a house rule for called shots. Something like:

-6 to hit small areas, basically the limbs, a -10 for something smaller, the temple, slit throats, stab hearts

Divide hit points into each body part, all 5 limbs and count the torso as a body part. So each limb can take 1/6th of your overall damage, then if you attack and successfully hit something smaller it can take 1/10th of the overall health in damage.

Comments and suggestions?
#2
jobbut
Jul 24, 2008 19:31:38 -2 to hit, area is injured, item or person takes damage, simple as that.
#3
smaks
Jul 24, 2008 19:54:52 area is "injured" ? That leaves so many useful portions of this rule out. For example, if each area has a number of hit points then I can apply penalties accordingly. If the main hand has half hit points then it gets + half as much to hit and does roughly half damage. If it has no hit points left at all then it is either severed or unusable.

-2 also makes targeting an area far too easy
#4
jobbut
Jul 24, 2008 20:08:57 How about
-2 main body (Arm, Torso, Leg)
-4 for limb (Hand, Foot Head)
-6 Object (Weapon, Helm, Necklace)
Ac of the main weilder
Penalties
Arm: -1 to hit(Weapon) or ac(Shield)
Torso:N/A
Leg: -1 to movement
Hand: -2 to hit/ checks made using that hand
Armor (Besides Base armor):-1 to Ac or disales item if small.(Ring/Necklace)
Weapon: Magic= disarmed Mundane/Crit=Desroyed / Shatters
#5
Crimson_Concerto
Jul 24, 2008 22:03:18 Called Shots were a horrible idea in 3.5, and 4E hasn't changed the system enough to make it any better of an idea now.
Why do you feel the need for called shots? Because the mechanics already in place actually cover the striking of vital areas well enough as it is in my opinion...
#6
smaks
Jul 24, 2008 22:31:09 what mechanics are you referring to ?
#7
Crimson_Concerto
Jul 25, 2008 0:23:07
what mechanics are you referring to ?

Critical hits, Sneak Attack, Hunter's Quarry, Power Attack, and many exploits, even low-level ones target a specific body part in order to trip or cause bleeding wounds or what have you.

Just at first level, a Fighter has Spinning Sweep and Serpent Steel Strike, a Ranger has Hunter's Bear Trap and Sudden Strike, and a Rogue has Piercing Strike, Riposte Strike, Sly Flourish, Dazing Strike, and Easy Target... Just for example... These are all called shots. Rogues are particularly good at them with their exploits and Sneak Attack, but any character can land a called shot with a Critical Hit. After all, character are always trying to hit the enemy in a vital location; we just use these specified mechanics to tell us when they succeed.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 smaks Jul 24, 2008 19:25:34	I'm thinking about adding a house rule for called shots. Something like: -6 to hit small areas, basically the limbs, a -10 for something smaller, the temple, slit throats, stab hearts Divide hit points into each body part, all 5 limbs and count the torso as a body part. So each limb can take 1/6th of your overall damage, then if you attack and successfully hit something smaller it can take 1/10th of the overall health in damage. Comments and suggestions?
#2 jobbut Jul 24, 2008 19:31:38	-2 to hit, area is injured, item or person takes damage, simple as that.
#3 smaks Jul 24, 2008 19:54:52	area is "injured" ? That leaves so many useful portions of this rule out. For example, if each area has a number of hit points then I can apply penalties accordingly. If the main hand has half hit points then it gets + half as much to hit and does roughly half damage. If it has no hit points left at all then it is either severed or unusable. -2 also makes targeting an area far too easy
#4 jobbut Jul 24, 2008 20:08:57	How about -2 main body (Arm, Torso, Leg) -4 for limb (Hand, Foot Head) -6 Object (Weapon, Helm, Necklace) Ac of the main weilder Penalties Arm: -1 to hit(Weapon) or ac(Shield) Torso:N/A Leg: -1 to movement Hand: -2 to hit/ checks made using that hand Armor (Besides Base armor):-1 to Ac or disales item if small.(Ring/Necklace) Weapon: Magic= disarmed Mundane/Crit=Desroyed / Shatters
#5 Crimson_Concerto Jul 24, 2008 22:03:18	Called Shots were a horrible idea in 3.5, and 4E hasn't changed the system enough to make it any better of an idea now. Why do you feel the need for called shots? Because the mechanics already in place actually cover the striking of vital areas well enough as it is in my opinion...
#6 smaks Jul 24, 2008 22:31:09	what mechanics are you referring to ?
#7 Crimson_Concerto Jul 25, 2008 0:23:07	what mechanics are you referring to ? Critical hits, Sneak Attack, Hunter's Quarry, Power Attack, and many exploits, even low-level ones target a specific body part in order to trip or cause bleeding wounds or what have you. Just at first level, a Fighter has Spinning Sweep and Serpent Steel Strike, a Ranger has Hunter's Bear Trap and Sudden Strike, and a Rogue has Piercing Strike, Riposte Strike, Sly Flourish, Dazing Strike, and Easy Target... Just for example... These are all called shots. Rogues are particularly good at them with their exploits and Sneak Attack, but any character can land a called shot with a Critical Hit. After all, character are always trying to hit the enemy in a vital location; we just use these specified mechanics to tell us when they succeed.