Gritty HKA/HA Thoughts

[PhosphorRose]

I was thinking about strong creatures with relatively minor HKAs that can do a bunch of damage by virtue of high strength. From past experimentation I've tried two variant ideas:

* Bonus HKA for STR is at 20pts instead of 15pts but can go above max,

* Once max HKA is reached additional damage is rolled above that seperately as normal damage and then it's all added together

The first idea got abused somewhat on the supers powerlevel side of things, but also system-wise it could be argued that since HA damage can be added infinately so should HKA.

I just came up with the following that seems to be a good idea for gritty fantasy and wanted to get some opinions. In retrospect if used for HKAs it should apply to HAs too.

Killing Attack – HtH Enhanced
Strength may increase the Damage Classes by more then the HKA itself, but the character risks damage or destruction to the HKA in the process.

HKA DAMAGE CHART
% over HKA: Damage Roll:
25% or less 8-
33% 9-
42% 10-
50% 11-
58% 12-
67% 13-
75% 14-
83% 15-

If the number is rolled exactly, then the HKA suffers a deduction is 25% of its total damage and BODY. If the number rolled is one point below then the HKA suffers a deduction of 50%. If the number is two points then there is a reduction of 75%, and if the number rolled is three or greater, then the HKA is destroyed.

Example: Regnor the warrior attacks with a 1d6HKA shortsword. (3 DCs) Due to the effects of a potion of great might, he currently has strength of 20. (4 DCs) This is 33% more DCs then the base sword allows so if Regnor uses all his strength in an attack and he rolls an 9, the sword will be damaged and only do ½d6HKA. However, if he rolled 7 or less the shortsword would be totally destroyed. Optionally, the GM may allow such destroyed weapons to do 1 a pip (or more) KA or HA damage based on circumstances.

[Killer Shrike]

Consider giving them Deadly Blow instead -- Deadly Blow adds to Base Damage, thus extending doubling limits.

[Monolith]

You can also just have creatures do an MPA attack as well. A bear might choose to do both its HKA and its STR damage as one Multiple-Powers-Attack. This doesn't always make sense with every creature, but for some it does. I could also see big cats doing Sweep attacks to represent it jumping on someone and raking with both its front and back claws at the same time.

Making interesting combat tactics for creatures is half the fun. :)

[Markdoc]

>>> I was thinking about strong creatures with relatively minor HKAs that can do a bunch of damage by virtue of high strength. <<<

To me, that simply sounds like a big HKA, perhaps flavoured with reduced penetration to desired levels.

cheers, Mark