Re: [HOE] Gore Storms, and Amorphous Blobs in general (Hopler)

[Sam & Max <samnmax@swbell.net>]

Steve Crow wrote:

> Just out of curiosity, how do folks handle creatures like Gore Storms and
> weird hit/body location stuff (Mojave rattlers come to mind) when it comes
> to combat?
>
> The HOE books seem kinda vague on the concept, as far as we could tell.  The
> simplified combat system (i.e., 6 pts. * Size) probably isn't desireable
> when you use a "big" creature liek this (which suggests a big, dramatic
> combat).
>
> You could just use the normal hit location chart in a psuedo-normal manner.
> On the other hand, Gore Storms probably don't have a vital spot like a head.
>
> Do you just, say, divide it up into six "equal" hit locations and roll
> randomly on a d6 for location, and have it die when any location takes six
> wounds?
>
> Why stop at six locations, though?  Why not 10 or 12?  Of course, this would
> seem to lend itself to some rather...variable effects.
>
> Not worrying about hit location and having it die once it simply takes six
> wounds seems a bit extreme.  Even with a Size of 12+, it's not going to take
> too long to kill it using _that_ rule!
>
> Thoughts?  Experiences?  Something in the rules we're missing?

I don't think you are missing any rules. I don't remember any along these lines
either. I realized early on that a big Rattler wasn't too dangerous when a
whole party focuses on it. Or even a powerful single character.   There are two
ways that I deal with odd shaped creatures. It depends on the type of creature.

    For an amorphous blob like the gore storm, or any beasty where the "wounds"
are not actually permanent hits but strikes against a whole mass, I just give
it size x 25 hitpoints.  Yes this means a Size 12 beast has 300 hit points.
This is a huge amount. Yep. Then every 20% or fifth it suffers a wound penalty.
Similar to durability in vehicles.  If it has 300 points then every 60 points
it takes, it suffers a -1 from wounds.  It's a mean system. But quick and
easy.  And blob like creatures do not take any extra damage from Noggin' or
Gizzard shots.

    This however doesn't apply to a creature like a Rattler that has distinct
locations and can't "absorb" some damage and reform.  I do agree the size 12 x
6 thing is too little, even with wind not affecting the creature. 72 points
goes quick.
    I just use a modified hit location chart like what you have suggested.  I
use the normal chart and  arms hits as tentacles, the legs hits as tail, and
the head and guts as normal. This does take a little more time but it makes a
Rattler tougher and more along the lines of the threat it is written to be.
Head shots and Gizzard shots do extra damage as normal.
    Of course this way any odd shaped creature takes a bit more work.
--
David Heth
"Called shot to the tongue!!"