Can't decide

[JmOz]

What build do you like better?

Build 1: 1.5d6 HKA, 1/2 End=31 points


Build 2: 1d6+1 HKA, +1 Stun, 1/2 End=30 Points

[Richard Logue]

Describe the attack. :)

Richard

[JmOz]

It's for an energy sword

[Metaphysician]

I think the second would work better. Average damage is only about 1 point lower, and the +1 stun multiplier really helps the stun lottery.

[Vondy]

Lets see:

1) average roll of 3.5 + 1.75 = 5.25 Body X2.5 AVG StunX = 13.1 Stun. Max Body = 9. Max Stun = 45. If you use use the 5/1 rule then End Cost is 3

2) average roll of 3.5 + 1 = 4.5 Body X 3.5 AVG StunX = 15.7 Stun. Max Body = 7, Max Stun = 42. If you use use the 5/1 rule then End Cost is 3

In terms of potential lethality #1 is clearly the better attack as it averages a higher body damage roll and has a clear advantage in terms of maximum body damage. On the other hand #2 will average a higher stun roll, though its maximum stun is notably higher. If rolls remain average neither attack will penetrate your average ballistic vest, though #1 could with a good roll, while #2 will generally transfer more stun damage to the target.

#1 is probably more "powerful" in potential but I consider 2 the cleaner of the two constructs as I have a blindingly irrational hatred of half dice (I use the "-1" option (i.e."2d6-1") whenever possible). It largely comes from having a few players, who after years, still take forever to calc. damage in combat and a nit-picky dislike for the way it looks on a character sheet.

[JmOz]

Lets see:

1) average roll of 3.5 + 1.75 = 5.25 Body X2.5 AVG StunX = 13.1 Stun. Max Body = 9. Max Stun = 45. If you use use the 5/1 rule then End Cost is 3

2) average roll of 3.5 + 1 = 4.5 Body X 3.5 AVG StunX = 15.7 Stun. Max Body = 7, Max Stun = 42. If you use use the 5/1 rule then End Cost is 3

In terms of potential lethality #1 is clearly the better attack as it averages a higher body damage roll and has a clear advantage in terms of maximum body damage. On the other hand #2 will average a higher stun roll, though its maximum stun is notably higher. If rolls remain average neither attack will penetrate your average ballistic vest, though #1 could with a good roll, while #2 will generally transfer more stun damage to the target.

#1 is probably more "powerful" in potential but I consider 2 the cleaner of the two constructs as I have a blindingly irrational hatred of half dice (I use the "-1" option (i.e."2d6-1") whenever possible). It largely comes from having a few players, who after years, still take forever to calc. damage in combat and a nit-picky dislike for the way it looks on a character sheet.

Don't forget STR can add to HKA

[JohnOSpencer]

Definately #2, +1 stun multiple is way better than extra body from the half die. Stun multiple is one of the best advantages in the game.

John

[zaras]

well i guess an energy sword would have higher stun.....are we talking lightsaber or electified sword or someting else? option 2 just sounds right when you mention 'energy' sword. From a another point of view are you going to be using it vs high or low defenses?

[JmOz]

Defences will be 20-30 I figure

The sword has 7 settings:

4 Blades
Blade 1: +4d6 HA 0 end
Blade 2: Depends on how this goes
Blade 3: 1/2 d6 HKA x2 Penetrating, AP, Increased Stun, 1/2 End
Blade 4: 1/2 d6 AVLD vs Energy Shields (+3/4) Does Body (+1), +1 Stun Multiplier

Blast: 6d6 EB
Bind: 2d6 Entangle +2 DEF
Burst: 4d6 EB Explosion (though a part of me thinks this would be moer useful as a flash...)

[Edsel]

Definately the second one. If your goal is to kill your target, you can do it once they are KOed from the STUN. If you want flexability this is better too, its much easier to knock them out without killing them using the second attack.

If you are trying to simply break something then the difference between 1d6+1 and 1 1/2d6 RKA is not much. 4.5 vs 5.25 BODY on the average attack.

[zaras]

Defences will be 20-30 I figure

The sword has 7 settings:

4 Blades
Blade 1: +4d6 HA 0 end
Blade 2: Depends on how this goes
Blade 3: 1/2 d6 HKA x2 Penetrating, AP, Increased Stun, 1/2 End
Blade 4: 1/2 d6 AVLD vs Energy Shields (+3/4) Does Body (+1), +1 Stun Multiplier

Blast: 6d6 EB
Bind: 2d6 Entangle +2 DEF
Burst: 4d6 EB Explosion (though a part of me thinks this would be moer useful as a flash...)

thats a fairly nasty weapon....i still say go with the second build. It would compliment the other powers well and once someone is unconcious they are pretty much dead anyway.

[JMHammer]

I think that Killing Attacks should be for doing Body damage, with the Stun damage being incidental. So I just have a general aversion to increased Stun multipliers on Killing Attacks.

But if the question is more, What attack would I prefer to use in most situations? then the answer is the one with the additional Stun multiple. I think it is more effective in more situations and will be less lethal.

John H

edit: ...and after reading the entire thread I see that this is to be part of a multipower, another element of which is +4d6 HA. That HA is what you should be doing if you want Stun, so go for the chance of doing more Body with the HKA.

[RDU Neil]

Definately #2, +1 stun multiple is way better than extra body from the half die. Stun multiple is one of the best advantages in the game.

John

In fact, I'd go as far as to say that Increased Stun Multiple is one of the more abusable power constructs. Tacked on to the MOST abusable power, a HKA, it gets really ridiculous. HKA and Increased stun multiple are the two most policed power constructs in my games... and I don't play the Stun Lotto game. It gest even worse if you do that.

[JohnOSpencer]

In fact, I'd go as far as to say that Increased Stun Multiple is one of the more abusable power constructs. Tacked on to the MOST abusable power, a HKA, it gets really ridiculous. HKA and Increased stun multiple are the two most policed power constructs in my games... and I don't play the Stun Lotto game. It gest even worse if you do that.

I don't use the stun lottery either. And best=abusive. Someone on the boards once said it should be +1/2 for a +1 and +3/4 for a +2, and I think that's about right.

On a 1d6+1 HKA, I can't see it being too abusive, but I do think it would be better than a straight 1.5d6 HKA, depending on the characters STR.

John

[CrosshairCollie]

I would definitely go with the Increased StunX variant, simply because it makes you less likely to kill your target before you knock it out. But then, I'm a big Code vs Killing player.

[BNakagawa]

I don't use the stun lottery either. And best=abusive. Someone on the boards once said it should be +1/2 for a +1 and +3/4 for a +2, and I think that's about right.
John

In terms of pure points and damage, sure. But it ought to revert to just being +1/2 for +1 across the board. The reason being that it's relatively close to the alternating 1/2 and 1/4 and frankly, it comes out being too cheap that way when it gets stacked with the inevitable autofire or ap or whatnot.

Besides, alternating 1/2 and 1/4 is plain old awkward.