A Linear System
The following is a adjusted damage rules based on PC strength and weight for Harnmaster. I am proposing this house rule because Harnmaster does not distinguish between 98 pound weaklings and 7 foot tall thugs. These rules are designed to be simple. You can use either the table or the formula at character generation to get the character’s Strength Damage Modifer (SDM) and note it on the character sheet. These rules are designed for unarmed combat but may also be used to replace existing large weapon damage modifiers.
The maximum strength for a humanoid PC in HM1 is 3d6+(6 weight modifier)+(3 medical table (Genetic Throwback 1d3)) for a total of 27. The maximum for HMC (aka HM2) is 3d6+(4 weight modifier) for a total of 22. The minimum in either system is 0.
Use this table to show any additional damage given based on the PC's strength following the formula:
For STR =9- impact_modifier = round( (STR-10.5)/3 ) dices.
For STR =10+ impact_modifier = round( (STR-10.5)/3 )*2 sides on a single dice added to the damage roll.
STR Impact modification
| 0, | -4->-4d6 removed from all impact rolls |
| 1,2,3 | -3 -> -3d6 removed from all impact rolls |
| 4,5,6 | -2 -> -2d6 removed from all impact rolls |
| 7,8,9 | -1 -> -1d6 removed from all impact rolls |
| 10,11,12 | 0 -> +0 added to impact roll |
| 13,14,15 | 2 -> +1d2 added to impact roll |
| 16,17,18 | 4 -> +1d4 added to impact roll |
| 19,20,21 | 6 -> +1d6 added to impact roll |
| 22,23,24 | 8 -> +1d8 added to impact roll |
| 25,26,27 | 10 -> +1d10 added to impact roll |
Example 1: Joe Thug has STR of 20 and rolls an MS delivering 2d6 impact points. Joe’s SDM is calculated to be +1d6. Which means Joe adds +1d6 to any successful attack roll, in this case 2d6+1d6=3d6 impact. If Joe used a weapons add the weapon impact bonus as normal.
Example 2: Larry the Litigant has STR of 6 and rolls an MS delivering 2d6 impact points. Larry’s SDM is calculated to be -2d6. Which means Larry removes 2d6 from any successful attack roll, in this case 2d6-2d6=0d6 impact. If Larry used a Dagger with a point of 4 so impact 0d6+4 à 4 point impact.
Abnormal Strength
Okay what happens Larry the Litigant obtains an item like the "Ring of Larry’s Ego to Strength". This wonderful item Grants Larry a strength of 27 and his GM a headache until he remembers the following rule. SDM is restricted by weight; SDM cannot exceed the PC’s weight divided by 5. This is because for a regular punch, kick, or thrust requires mass for the requisit inertia to do damage (if you do not believe me called it game balance). In Larry the Litigant’s case he weighs only 86 pounds so his effective SDM is equal to the lesser of 86/5 = 17 and 27. So Larry has temporary SDM of +1d4 for regular combat.
Bracing for Impact
One way for Larry to get full advantage of his astounding strength is to brace himself. The PC may lean into a strike or simply hold onto his opponent to get full SDM bonus. Either of these techniques are harder then they sound. Leaning deaper than normal into a strike requires a Stumble roll for every missed attack and, holding an opponent requires a successful grab (See HMC:Combat).
Weapon Breakage
If you decide to use SDM with weapon combat. Add a penalty of (STR-11)/3 to each weapon check roll to reflect that the weapon is designed for the average person. No advantage goes unpunished.
Here is the table with additional for those who like to study probability.
| STR | SDM | Min | Max | Mean(4d6) | Mean(3d6) | Mean(2d6) | Mean(1d6) |
|
0 |
-4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
1 |
-3 |
0 |
6 |
3.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2 |
-3 |
0 |
6 |
3.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
-3 |
0 |
6 |
3.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
-2 |
0 |
12 |
7 |
3.5 |
0 |
0 |
|
5 |
-2 |
0 |
12 |
7 |
3.5 |
0 |
0 |
|
6 |
-2 |
0 |
12 |
7 |
3.5 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
-1 |
0 |
18 |
10.5 |
7 |
3.5 |
0 |
|
8 |
-1 |
0 |
18 |
10.5 |
7 |
3.5 |
0 |
|
9 |
-1 |
0 |
18 |
10.5 |
7 |
3.5 |
0 |
|
10 |
0 |
1 |
24 |
14.5 |
11 |
7.5 |
4 |
|
11 |
0 |
1 |
24 |
14.5 |
11 |
7.5 |
4 |
|
12 |
2 |
2 |
26 |
15.5 |
12 |
8.5 |
5 |
|
13 |
2 |
2 |
26 |
15.5 |
12 |
8.5 |
5 |
|
14 |
2 |
2 |
26 |
15.5 |
12 |
8.5 |
5 |
|
15 |
4 |
2 |
28 |
16.5 |
13 |
9.5 |
6 |
|
16 |
4 |
2 |
28 |
16.5 |
13 |
9.5 |
6 |
|
17 |
4 |
2 |
28 |
16.5 |
13 |
9.5 |
6 |
|
18 |
6 |
2 |
30 |
17.5 |
14 |
10.5 |
7 |
|
19 |
6 |
2 |
30 |
17.5 |
14 |
10.5 |
7 |
|
20 |
6 |
2 |
30 |
17.5 |
14 |
10.5 |
7 |
|
21 |
8 |
2 |
32 |
18.5 |
15 |
11.5 |
8 |
|
22 |
8 |
2 |
32 |
18.5 |
15 |
11.5 |
8 |
|
23 |
8 |
2 |
32 |
18.5 |
15 |
11.5 |
8 |
|
24 |
10 |
2 |
34 |
19.5 |
16 |
12.5 |
9 |
|
25 |
10 |
2 |
34 |
19.5 |
16 |
12.5 |
9 |
|
26 |
10 |
2 |
34 |
19.5 |
16 |
12.5 |
9 |
|
27 |
12 |
2 |
36 |
20.5 |
17 |
13.5 |
10 |
This page was last updated on
January 23, 2002
Questions/Comments should be directed to the Webmaster.
All works are Copyright their respective
authors, 2002.