From: arakins@iastate.edu (Andrew R Akins)
Subject: Re: Let's talk REAL sci-Fi systems
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 19:09:30 GMT

In article <1992Sep11.140011.102@gems.vcu.edu> 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 the author of TimeLords, I of course will open my own system to comparison,
>and further suggest we add GURPS, Hero System, and Twilight:2000 to the list
>(as a control point, maybe we should throw in Macho Women w/Guns as well).
>
>Greg Porter
>BTRC
>

 Excellent Idea!

  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
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)
    No special shot resolution.
    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....

3. Broadsword to Neck
   TORG Weapon selected: Broadsword (Damage Value: STR + 6, we'll assume
    13)
   Vital Shot to Neck: (Damage = 13 + 4 = 17)
   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.

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)


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.
  It is also theoretically possible to hit a person with
the LAW and have a sufficiently low result total (by rolling
poorly) that the guy lives through it....

  A fun system yes. I like it.
  A "correct" system. Probibly not.

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

  Feel free to comment on the above...and please correct
any mistakes.

-- Andrew Akins
   aka Brother Andrek
   Iowa State University
   arakins@iastate.edu