Are Weapon damages a bit weeny?

[HorusZA]

Hi Everyone,

First post to this forum...
Finally got my copy of the MGT Rules a few days ago and I've gone through most of the book by now. Based on the initial reading, the damage system seems very forgiving when using anything other than high-end energy weapons. The average person (even when unarmoured) seems to be able to take quite a few hits before going down.
Admittedly this is from an arm-chair gamer perspective... how does it run in actual play? Do players get sweaty dice-palms when their characters get into a fire fight? Is it "death by a thousand cuts" or one-decent-shot-and-you-go-down? Have others found it necessary to house-rule the damage system?

 

[Myrm]

Cheap basic pistol damage is 3d6-3. Average damage there is 8.5 points.

Average person has 3 7s in physical damage. Thats 14points to unconsciousness, 21 to death.

That average 8.5 points takes the first stat damaged to 0 and damages the second. The second average hit knocks the target out as it reduces the second stat to 0.

Assuming no modifiers for range etc and so a standard 8+ to hit test, a well trained person with skill 2 in the relevant gun (+2DM) rolls the 12 maximum. That converts to 14 with the DM and an effect of 6 (added to damage). A max damage roll of 15points (3d6-3) plus 6 points effect is dead in one shot. Target needs at least 8 points of armour just to stay conscious.

That's not exactly weedy for the bottom end gun

For every fancy piece of defensive kit, or more on END or other physical stats there's a gun to do more damage. For me Traveller is in the more dangerous end of the spectrum for combat - and yes I approacha firefight with trepidation.

 

[Xoph]

My players ended a single combat with the Robbers in "The Rescue" using a single stun grenade thrown by their Ex-Space Marine. Battle is dangerous... I suspect even with the doctor in the crew I may be rolling up new characters for a few players. Although some of them are scared of combat as much as most real people. There will be a lot of truces and retreats with this group I think.

 

[-Daniel-]

Have others found it necessary to house-rule the damage system?

In real play it was not a problem. In fact I ended up using the Armor adjustments that were posted a little while ago.

Here is the thread on Armor:
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=35018

Daniel

 

[tneva82]

Only time we have had PC's be taking hits was when they had combat armours and opposition had just autorifles. Oh and they were behind nice solid wall. In return less well armoured and in less good position opposition was dropping like flies.

Morale of story: Unless you have high-tech armour available don't go tempting fate. You can be taken out pretty darned fast.

 

[zozotroll]

Evin if the first hit does not drop somebody, it certainly sets you up so one more shot will disable or kill. Prudent players will get out of the fight. Reckless players will be rolling new charecters.