Damage Systems

[djkester]

There are various ways I'd describe damage systems. One is the following continium:

1. You hit or get hit, someone dies. (Paranoia)
2. You hit or get hit, someone might die. (Role Master)
3. You hit or get hit, someone is wounded and have reduced capabilities and hit enough will die
4. You hit or get hit, eventually with enough hits you will die.
5. You hit or get hit, you are knocked out and unless you get help you'll die. (DnD 4e)
6. You hit or get hit, eventually you'll get knocked out. In extreme cases you can die. (Champions)

I'd love to hear what people think about this continuum. Also, would love to hear what continuum of damage others see.

[Adam]

I think I'm a little unclear how this takes into account all the differing modes of damage

1. HP, when total damage > a set value, you go down (4E)
2. Wounds, as damage increases, your effectiveness drops (Exalted)
3. Hits, after X hits, you drop (Paranoia)
4. Criticals, a lucky shot can always drop you

------------
As opposed to effects from being "downed"

A. You die (Paranoia, Exalted)
B. You'll die if not helped (4E)
C. You'll die, but can come back (3E)
D. You're out of the fight

[Adam]

So, um with regard to your question, though, I approve of the wound system in principle, as it's probably the most realistic, but that sort of thing also necessitates increased complexity to the system. I'm currently looking towards numbers one and two of your list as ideal, as it's kinda realistic when you can't have a wound system.

[djkester]

I assume any system that has a "downed" state is not as deadly as one that doesn't.

For example Role Master has a table that has a scale of damage based on the attack roll. So you can be just missed, hurt, wounded, knocked out, or killed based on the impact of the attack.

While D&D takes you down and then later if you aren't aided (or you take to much damage to quickly) you die.

I actually think in principle DnD4e is trying to be deadly. However, they then nerf the attacks so that its very unlikely to actually die in a fight. However, I have had two low level characters killed before in 4e in RPGA.