   Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 20:34:40 +0100
   From: James <James@jpb-s.demon.co.uk>
Subject: [gworld] GW site update


Before anyone mentions it, it seems I managed to screw up
my site. Its fixed now  (and some new stuff is up too)
and should be available to all by tomorrow.


URL remains: http://www.jpb-s.demon.co.uk/f_gw.htm


*Sigh*

--- James ---

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:26:50 +0100
   From: James <James@jpb-s.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [gworld] 4th Edition General questions

> > One of the most annoying concepts to the 4th edition is hit points in
> > >general.
>
> The whole hit point system for GW doesnt really bother me. First, I use
> criticals and fumbles in combat which can really shorten the lifespan of
any
> creature quickly.

Well, the point is you still had to do fix the game to cater for
the hit points. I've got caught out by the excessive hit point system
on a number of occasions. The GM as a storyteller instinctively draws
from classic scenes in movies or books. Gamma Wolrd as is cannot
handle some of the basic of situations one routinely encouters in fiction.
For example, picture the scene in which Mr A surprises Mr B, points a
gun to him and says "Freeze!". Mr B can just calmly walk away, a few
bullets
wounds aren't going to bother him. A game that cannot express such a
basic scenario is flawed and one is left wondering if it was ever
play tested.

The fundamental paradox:
Fact: Weapons are designed be dangerous; to kill people even.
Fact: Tech III weapons are the standard  weapons in GW 4th.
Fact: Tech III weapons are not dangerous to to even the puniest
        1st level non-character class npc.

You can tinker with the number of hit points, modify
the damage rules with crits or make high tech weapons widely
available. But somehow, you have got to solve the paradox to
get a playable game.

Regards,

--- James ---

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 09:40:47 -0400
   From: Rob Quinn <rquinn@sprint.net>
Subject: Re: [gworld] 4th Edition General questions

> -- I wanted to make a comment on this one.  The one thing that seemed to
> never get in (any edition of ) the rules but was in a Dragon article was
> that the reason the hit points are so high is because of genetic
> modification of the human genome.  Basically, as the article put it, it was
> as if everyone took the "Captain America serum" (whatever that means, as
> I'm not a big comic fan).  Of course, whether that would really change
> peoples ability to resist damage by a factor of ~10 is a good arguing
> point.

 I assumed everyone had regeneration, even PSHs. Those with the Regernation
mutation just had it stronger.

> Obviously, for the people who prefer more realistic game, it is terribly
> unrealistic.

 That's part of the attraction.

--
| Opinions are _mine_, facts                                     Rob Quinn |
| are facts.                                                 (703)689-6582 |
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