From: jogle@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Jim Ogle (Ks. Jim))
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: Re: Let's talk REAL sci-Fi systems
Date: 12 Sep 92 01:45:21 GMT
Organization: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro NM

In article <mumble> arakins@iastate.edu (Andrew R Akins) writes:
>In article <grumble> porterg@gems.vcu.edu writes:

>>If the system is *much* more realistic than all others, I think a side by
>>side comparison is in order, to convince the net.public of the truth.  Using
>>examples we can all imagine, and hope to not personally experience.
>>
>>1.      A medium caliber pistol hit (9mm or .45) to the unarmored head.
>>2.      A medium caliber rifle bullet (7.62mm) to the unarmored torso.
>>3.      A broadsword swung by an average person to the unprotected neck.
>>4.      And of course, a plasma cannon (equivalent to a RPG-7) to the groin.

>  As an avid TORG player, I will take up the challenge. If I make
>a mistake, by all means point is out!
>
>  Assumptions: An "average" human has a Toughness of 7-9. We will assign
>an 8. We shall also assume that the net Effect Total rolled is 0 (either
>a 12 or 12 was rolled on the d20). So we are simply comparing the

I think you mean an 11-12 was rolled, right?

>strength of the weapon to the natural resistance of the character. We 
>will also assume the "victim" is an Ord (no possibility energy)
>
>1. Small Caliber Handgun, shot to head.
>   TORG Weapon Selected: 9mm Beretta (Damage Value: 15)
>    Shot to head = Vital Shot (Damage +4, total 19)
>    Result Points = 19 - 8 = 11
>    On result table, an 11 is a Heavy Wound, a Knock, and 11 shock
>      points. Since the shock points exceed the toughness of the
>      character, he falls unconscious.
>      In other words, the character is down for the count, but
>      not dead.
>
>2. Medium Caliber Rifle to the torse.
>   TORG Weapon Selected: M-16 (Damage Value: 20)

I think that DV is for burst fire, not single-shot.  If so, the DV is
only 17.  (Also, doesn't the M-16 use a smaller caliber than 7.62mm?)

>    No special shot resolution.

Actually, you could do a vital blow here as well (aim for the heart
for example).

>    Result Points = 20 - 8 = 12
>    On result point table, a 12 is a Heavy Wound, a Knockout, and
>      12 shock points. This guy is screwed too....

He's not so much screwed as in bad shape.  Note that a Vital Blow
(heart shot) would take this up to 16 result points, which will kill
an ord.  However, if we have to adjust the DV down for single shot
fire the damage taken drops to just 9 result points, which is only
enough to knock the guy out.  (The vital blow would take it back up to
13, enough to kill him though.)

>3. Broadsword to Neck
>   TORG Weapon selected: Broadsword (Damage Value: STR + 6, we'll assume
>    13)

A damage value of 14 is probably better, as the average Strength is 8.

>   Vital Shot to Neck: (Damage = 13 + 4 = 17)

So the damage value to the neck is 18.

>   Result points: 17 - 8 = 9
>   On result point table, a 9 is a Wound, Knock, and 9 shock points.
>     This character will be unconscious for several minutes.

10 result points instead of nine isn't very different so you get about
the same result.

>4. Plasma Gun to Groin (ack!)
>   TORG Weapon Selected: LAW Missile (Damage value: 27)
>   It don't matter where you hit this guy...he's toast :)
>   Result points: 27 - 8 = 19
>   On the result table, 19 is off the scale (it effectively
>     2 wounds past Dead, a Knockout, and 15 Shock Points)

The poor schmuck gets totally vaporized by the attack (six wounds is
the unoffical point at which a body is completely destroyed by an
attack).  

>Comments: The TORG system is obviously not "realistic". While
>it is possible to kill with one shot to the head with a 9mm
>pistol (simply roll a 17 or better on the d20 roll...not as hard
>as AD&D becuase of the re-roll on a 10 rule). But on the average,
>Joe-shmo is gonna live through it. The same holds for the
>M-16 and the broadsword.

Actually, you don't even need to roll that well; getting an ord up
into the Mortal Wound area of the result table is usually enough to
finish them off; since the shock damage they end up taking is higher
than their Toughness, they die.

But yes, TORG is not incredibly realistic, especially once you start
doing damage to Possibility-rated characters.  But then again, TORG

>  Hope you all found this interesting....I did (it surprised me
>a bit...I might have to think over some rule changes).

Come and join us on alt.games.torg or on the TORG mailing list.  We
were just discussing house rules on the damage system!

-- 
Kansas Jim (Jim Ogle, TORG guru)
jogle@aoc.nrao.edu (NRAO-VLBA, Socorro New Mexico)
"I'd be apathetic if I cared."
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc