Greywander
2021-08-11, 10:30 PM
Let's say you have a system wherein taking damage results in some kind of debilitating wound. Maybe a certain amount of damage needs to be dealt in order to inflict these wounds, or perhaps every hit gives a debuff until you're so weak you basically fail your "continue living" check. It could be something as simple as a wound disabling a body part, e.g. a wound to your arm prevents you from wielding a weapon or shield in that hand, while a leg wound reduces your speed considerably.
The basic idea here is that when such a wound is inflicted, the defender can choose to sacrifice a body part, giving them some agency in the situation. Having your effectiveness reduced always sucks, but being able to be strategic about it can help to mitigate that suckage. This could become even more poignant if a PC sustains a severe injury that causes permanent damage, such as dismemberment. Being faced with losing an arm or a leg or an eye is a terrible situation, but being able to choose what to give up gives the player some control over how their character develops.
Called shots to specific body parts could also exist, but would add penalties to the attack roll, making the attack more likely to miss. Called shots should perhaps be restricted to players, except under special circumstances for specific important NPCs, or at least used sparingly against the players.
It's an odd inversion, as usually the attacker would choose where they're trying to strike their opponent, but it makes sense from a gameplay perspective.
The basic idea here is that when such a wound is inflicted, the defender can choose to sacrifice a body part, giving them some agency in the situation. Having your effectiveness reduced always sucks, but being able to be strategic about it can help to mitigate that suckage. This could become even more poignant if a PC sustains a severe injury that causes permanent damage, such as dismemberment. Being faced with losing an arm or a leg or an eye is a terrible situation, but being able to choose what to give up gives the player some control over how their character develops.
Called shots to specific body parts could also exist, but would add penalties to the attack roll, making the attack more likely to miss. Called shots should perhaps be restricted to players, except under special circumstances for specific important NPCs, or at least used sparingly against the players.
It's an odd inversion, as usually the attacker would choose where they're trying to strike their opponent, but it makes sense from a gameplay perspective.