Hit Locations
Hit Locations
The following are rules for using hit locations in the Alternity
game system.
The basic rule is simple. Whenever a successful attack is made,
roll a d10 in addition to the damage dice. A d10 is used because it
is not used in any other way by the Alternity system.
d10 roll1:Head hit
2-4:Torso hit
5:Right arm hit
6:Left arm hit
7-8:Right leg hit
9-10:Left leg hit
Effects
Head Hit: Determine secondary damage and roll for any armor as
normal. After armor is accounted for, double any remaining primary
damage. For instance, if a character takes 6 wound to the head, but
his helmet stops 4 wounds, he would take 3 secondary stun damage
and 4 wound damage ((6-4)x2 = 4). A large number of damage done to
the head (such as any mortal damage, or 1/3 of the characters
wounds) may have other effects, as determined by the GM. For
instance, the GM may determine that blood has run into the
characters eyes and gives a +1 step penalty to attacks in addition
to any penalties from stun, wound, mortal, or fatigue.
Torso Hit: Determine damage and roll for armor as normal.
Arm or Leg Hit: Determine secondary damage and roll for any
armor as normal. After armor is accounted for, halve any remaining
primary damage. For instance, if a character takes 6 wound to the
left arm, and his armor stops 4 wounds, he would take 3 secondary
stun damage, and 1 wound damage ((6-4)(2 = 1). A large number of
damage done to the same limb (such as any mortal damage, or more
than 1/3 a characters wounds) may have other negative effects, as
determined by the GM. For instance, if the characters left arm is
hit for 2 mortals, the GM may say that the arm is rendered useless
(torn muscles, broken bones, etc.). Two-handed weapons (such as
rifles) must be fired with one hand, incurring penalties. If a leg
is severely injured, the character becomes unable to sprint or
run.
Calling Hit Locations
At the GMs choice, he may either simply use the called shot rule
(+4 penalty), or use a slightly modified version. A called shot to
the torso is a +2 penalty, called shot to a limb is a +3 penalty,
while a called shot to the head is the full +4 penalty.
Armor and Hit Locations
Of course, if a character takes a bullet to the leg, his
bulletproof vest isnt going to help! Either use common sense or
judge from the armor description to see if armor covers each hit
location.
As a general rule of thumb, vests cover only the torso; CF short
coats cover the torso and arms; CF long coats, CF softsuits, and
battle jackets (the description indicates plates hang down from the
jacket to cover the upper legs, but I doubt the hood has any armor
plating) cover torso, arms, and legs; most forms of attack armor
and powered armor have a helmet, so they cover all hit locations.
Shields add a bonus to the torso, and the arm and leg on the side
it is carried, perhaps more depending on how the characters posture
is behind the shield, or how big it is. In the case of wearing
helmets that are not part of an existing armor (such as using a
helmet with a vest), the GM should probably determine armor values
for the helmet (I suggest d4/d4+1/d4-1 for a typical riot helmet,
or d4+2/d6/d4 for a combat helmet with an AP of +1). Also, some
kind of hat or cap made of CF is not farfetched; I suggest armor
values similar to the CF short coat (d4-1/d4-1/d6-3).
