Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site tymix.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!tymix!granvold
From: granvold@tymix.UUCP (Tom Granvold)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: MERP Criticals (& Fumbles)
Message-ID: <469@tymix.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Jul-85 17:57:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: tymix.469
Posted: Wed Jul 24 17:57:16 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Jul-85 07:20:57 EDT
References: <161@ukc.UUCP> <500@mmintl.UUCP>
Reply-To: granvold@tymix.UUCP (Tom Granvold)
Distribution: net.games.frp
Organization: Tymnet Inc., Cupertino CA
Lines: 36

-
     In a couple of recent articles people where writing that criticals and
fumbles occur too often in RPGs. Fumbles in RuneQuest was given as an
example. Since RuneQuest, second edition, is my favorite RPG I must 
respond :-). I have no idea of how often these events occur in 'real life',
but I don't feel that they are too common in RuneQuest.
     Fumbles are fun! It may be silly, but having either a PC or NPC fumble
can add a lot of interest to a fight. In this case the departure from
realism makes the game more enjoyable for me.
     Criticles on the other hand are needed in certian situations in 
RuneQuest. I have seen two very good fighters, 90% or better ability in
the weapon that they are using, with very good armor and additional magical
protection not be able to damage each other unless they roll a critcle hit.
The combat in this type of situation goes on for too long as it is. Reduce
the chance to get a critical, and it makes matters worse. It sounds like
RuneQuest has a flaw in this situation. Also just like with fumbles,
criticals can be fun.
     I guess what I am saying is that the rules must balance realism against
enjoyment. If I wanted absolute realism in combat, I'd join the SCA (Society
for Creative Anachronisms) since that is as close as I can come without
risking real combat. Of course everone has their own idea of where this
trade off should be made. For me one of the things that i do not like about
D&D is that wearing better armor makes you harder to hit. In RuneQuest
better armor reduces that damage taken if you are hit. Therefore I prefer
RuneQuest. I am sure that there are people who feel the opposite. To each
their own.

Tom Granvold
Tymnet
Cupertino, Calif.

decvax!ucbvax!oliveb!tymix!granvold

D&D is a trademark of TSR Inc.

RuneQuest of a tradmark of either Chaosium or Avalon Hill (I'm not sure which)