Combat
Rules!
| Combat
Rules! |
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A called shot is an attack at a specific location on the target. For example, a called shot can be used to attack the head of an enemy who isn't wearing a helm, the unarmored legs of a character wearing only a breastplate, or the special weakness of a monster with an Achilles' heel.
Called shots have to be announced before the attack roll is made. When the called shot is announced, the character's action phase is delayed by one category; a bowshot that would normally be in the average phase becomes a slow action if the archer decides to make a called shot. If you're not playing with the initiative system described in Chapter One, assume called shots receive a +1 initiative penalty.
Called shots normally present the attacker with a -4 penalty on his attack roll, but the DM can modify this for the circumstances. If the target is surprised or not expecting the attack, the called shot modifier may not apply at all. On the other hand, a particularly difficult called shot (stabbing an enemy through the eyeslit of his visor, for example) may inflict a -6 or even a -8 penalty to the attack roll. Called shots are disrupted if the character attempting it suffers a knockdown.
Although called shots are normally most useful for special combat effects, like breaking a beaker of acid in an evil wizard's hand, they can also be useful against partially unarmored opponents. An enemy in full plate mail with no helmet has an AC 10 head; it's easier to make the called shot with a -4 penalty against that AC 10 than to swing at the enemy's normal AC of 1. If a called shot is used to strike a specific body area and results in a critical hit, ignore the location die of the critical hit roll and just roll the effect for the area struck. (See Chapter Six for more information on critical hits.)
Called shots can also be used to fire missile weapons into a melee without
the risk of hitting an ally. If the called shot misses, no one else is in danger
of being hit by the missile.
As an optional rule, the DM may allow called shots to be used to force an automatic
retreat or knockdown effect, rather than inflict damage.
Although critical hits are mentioned in the core AD&D rules as an option, this system works differently than any provided there. A critical hit may occur when a character rolls exceptionally well during his attack. The attack roll must be a natural 18 or higher, and the roll must hit the target by at least 5. A 1 st-level fighter with a THAC0 of 20 can achieve a critical against an opponent with AC 5, since he can roll a 20 and hit him with 5 to spare, but he can't get a critical against an opponent with AC 4 (or better).
As a basic rule, critical hits inflict double damage. However, Chapter Six
is devoted to the topic of critical hits and presents an integrated system that
accounts for the strength of the blow, the location injured, and a dash of luck.
If PCs can get critical hits with great attack rolls, monsters should be able
to as well. Otherwise, the balance of the game shifts in favor of the player
characters.
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I may put some other info here about how I run Critical hits... but it won't happen today! - Matthew.