Damage Question

[hdan]

Over on that other Traveller site, there's a raging, um, "discussion" about when damage effects to your stats start to apply.

The way I (and a number of others on that list) have been playing it, once you take the hit, your stats drop instantly. So if you lose enough DEX, your shooting will suffer.

However, as was pointed out by the opposition party, the old Traveller Book specifically says otherwise - your stat bonuses do not decay during the battle.

Now I understand that MT isn't CT, but I've read the MT combat damage section, and the rules don't actually specify when to apply stat damage changes. The section on healing mentions that a low END will hurt your healing chances, so one might assume that stat damage applies immediately, even though that's at odds with the CT rule and not actually stated in the MT rules.

I've been playing "immediate STAT DM degradation", and probably will continue to, but what's the official word?

 

[The Chef]

well according to the mongoose book damage comes off your stats and is applied straight away...

so yes, as soon as your dex goes down you will shoot worse (which makes sense, if i am barely awake i'm sure i wont be shooting straight)

Chef

 

[hdan]

well according to the mongoose book damage comes off your stats and is applied straight away...

so yes, as soon as your dex goes down you will shoot worse (which makes sense, if i am barely awake i'm sure i wont be shooting straight)

That's how I've always played it, but I can't actually find the verbiage that says that's the right way to play.

The rules appear silent on the issue, possibly because it's sort of obvious. I wouldn't even worry about this except that the CoTI thread has a well supported argument that the logical way isn't what was intended by MWM.

I'm not the best one to argue for this interpretation, since like I've said, the "apply as you go" method is what I've always done. I guess I'm still suffering from a bit of Rules Shock, having my assumptions of over 20 years overturned.

I should repeat to my self, "it's just a game, I should really just relax."

/hdan

 

[The Chef]

if in doubt use the common sense approach

 

[EDG]

I wouldn't even worry about this except that the CoTI thread has a well supported argument that the logical way isn't what was intended by MWM.

Hint: MWM didn't write MGT, and MWM isn't playing in your game. So there's nothing to worry about!

 

[dreamingbadger]

That's how it works for PSI, page 152. The degredation is instant, and also "realistic" for physical stats IMO.

 

[GypsyComet]

Check your campaign assumptions.

"Gritty Realism" means stat damage affects stat DMs
"Spaghetti Space Opera" means stat damage affects stat DMs for a turn or two, then recover except for a general "injured" DM.
"Pulp Adventure" means stat damage doesn't affect stat DMs.

 

[hdan]

Hint: MWM didn't write MGT, and MWM isn't playing in your game. So there's nothing to worry about!

LOL - yeah, I don't have any problem rewriting for MTU, though I do like to know what I'm changing before I change it, if you know what I mean. Plus it helps to know the rules when I meet other Travellers and want to game with them. Maybe it's my wargaming background showing.

In the end, I think the evidence points to an immediate application, even if it's not actually spelled out that way. Of course that's the way that makes the most sense to me...

/hdan

 

[Stofsk]

Check your campaign assumptions.

"Gritty Realism" means stat damage affects stat DMs
"Spaghetti Space Opera" means stat damage affects stat DMs for a turn or two, then recover except for a general "injured" DM.
"Pulp Adventure" means stat damage doesn't affect stat DMs.

I totally agree with the above post.

I would prefer to run games more of the Spaghetti Space Opera or Pule Adventure mould. As far as I am concerned, story > rules. Knowing the rules is good though, but becoming a slave to them isn't IMO.