APG Realistic Throwing

[Crypt]

APG page 11:

"Each +5 STR quadruples the maximum throwing distance for a given mass, and each doubling of mass quarters the throwing distance"

 

I don't understand that.

From my point of view, following the kinetic energy formulae it should be "Each +10 STR doubles the maximum throwing distance for a given mass and each quadrupling of mass halves the throwing distance"

 

e=1/2mv^2

becomes:

STR=M X Distance^2

(we can get rid of the 1/2, it doesn't matter)

Then

STR/M = D^2

Expressed in logarithm (Notes: the log's base is 5th root of 2 but whatever it is the conclusion remains true.)

STR-M = DX2

(STR-M)/2 = D

 

We choose to ignore the X25 used for STR and Mass, it strictly doesn't matter here. For each result expressed as a nXy you may use 25 for n or any other number, nevermind.

Let's say STR=15 (=nX8), Mass=5 (=nX2)

(15-5)/2= 5 = nX2

If STR is doubled (+5)=

(20-5)/2 = 7.5 = roughly nX2.8

If STR is quadrupled (+10) =

(25-5)/2= 10 = nX4 so by quadrupling STR the distance has been doubled (nX2 became nX4 !)

 

If the item's Mass is doubled (+5)

(15-10)/2= 2.5 = roughly nX1.4

If the item's Mass is quadrupled (+10)

(15-15)/2= 0 = nX1

 

Right ?

 

So:

Each quadrupling of STR doubles the maximum throwing distance for a given mass and each quadrupling of mass halves the throwing distance

 

What mysterious non-energetic "realistic" formulae has been used in APG ?

[Sean Waters]

Re: APG Realistic Throwing

 

I believe you on the maths, and that gives a better feel anyway - being able to throw someone into orbit would be funny the first time, but rapidly pall...

 

As for realism, in any event, throwing is not simply a matter of strength, it is (given sufficient STR to move the object at any speed you can move) about how much velocity you can impart, which is all about how fast you can move your arm. Unless very strong characters move MUCH faster than lower STR characters, they should not be able to throw light objects any farther: a tennis ball thrown by someone with 20 STR and someone with 60 STR, all other things being equal, should go about the same distance.

[Crypt]

Re: APG Realistic Throwing

 

I believe you on the maths, and that gives a better feel anyway - being able to throw someone into orbit would be funny the first time, but rapidly pall...

 

As for realism, in any event, throwing is not simply a matter of strength, it is (given sufficient STR to move the object at any speed you can move) about how much velocity you can impart, which is all about how fast you can move your arm. Unless very strong characters move MUCH faster than lower STR characters, they should not be able to throw light objects any farther: a tennis ball thrown by someone with 20 STR and someone with 60 STR, all other things being equal, should go about the same distance.

 

 

because of air density, cross section area of the object, drag coefficient, throwing angle and planet's gravity.

But let's ignore those complex factors (as you say it would make the APG rule even more unrealistic)

 

Note that i don't really care about realism in RPGs.......until the word "realistic" appears in the rules !

[Sean Waters]

Re: APG Realistic Throwing

 

I hear you brother

[Crypt]

Re: APG Realistic Throwing

 

In order the get throwing distance which follow the kinetic equation :

(STR-Mass)/2

then check the result on this table:

http://cryptmaster.free.fr/site/HERO/log.php

And multiply the result by the distance you think a guy throwing a Mass equal to his STR may throw.

For the purpose of this example let's use 2m. (it could be any value the GM choose. IMHO at least 1m.)

 

Ex:

STR 10 = 100kg

Mass 5 = 50kg

10-5 / 2 = 2.5 rounded to 3

+3 on the table = X 1.52

2mX1.52 = 3m

 

STR 45

Mass 5

45-5 / 2 = 20

+20 on the table = X 16

2mX16 = 32m

 

STR 17 = 264kg

Mass -23 =1kg

17-(-23) / 2 = 20

+20 on the table = X 16

2mX16 = 32m

 

 

STR 90

Mass -23

90-(-23) / 2 = 57

+57 on the table = X 2,702

2m X 2,702 = 5 km

 

This is A LOT simpler than the APG rule...