"When a PC suffers wounds greater than his wound threshold, he is knocked out..."
p. 215
"When a character has suffered strain greater than his strain threshold, he becomes incapacitated..."
p. 216
Seems clear but a bit unusual for games like this. On the other hand it does specifically tell you to track negative numbers, so I assume that's intended?
Zero?
I think you may be looking at it backwards.
Wounds are accumulated. When they exceed a certain number (threshold) then something bad happens. Wounds are reduced through healing.
You start at zero. Threshold is your maximum allowable until you are knocked out
Start at zero, count up. When you get to one greater than your threshold, boom
Counting down from the threshold works too, and in that case you are still up at zero.
Thank you, fjw, for pointing out that counting is the same both ways. Sheesh people.
Yeah, man! Why you gotta be all making sure people understand the rules of the game and different ways they can be interpreted?
Thank you, fjw, for pointing out that counting is the same both ways. Sheesh people.
Well, most games you're down at zero, so counting down would normally result in one less point to work with. So either way this game is different.
The downside to counting down is that now you're introducing negative numbers. Not a huge deal since d&d does it, but it is adding another element to it
Thank you, fjw, for pointing out that counting is the same both ways. Sheesh people.
Math IS fancy that way... but even if the intent works out the same, there many be phrases that make no sense in the rules if they're used differently. Not a big deal -- it should be whatever works for the group, right? -- but something to be aware of.
Thank you, fjw, for pointing out that counting is the same both ways. Sheesh people.
Well, most games you're down at zero, so counting down would normally result in one less point to work with. So either way this game is different.
Most games I've played you start at zero, then count damage, rather than taking it away from your wounds.
But then I don't play DnD, just don't like the system.
When playing D&D I have always counted down from HP total. My players like to count up. It never causes any issues.
When playing D&D I have always counted down from HP total. My players like to count up. It never causes any issues.
It shouldn't as long as everyone is on the same page. My players like both styles, and it is very difficult to get them to agree on a single method. My biggest confusion is in the midst of battle asking someone their IP (Injury Point) total and making sure where on the Injury Penalty chart they lie. If I am not paying attention I sometimes over correct an attack towards someone I think has plenty of IP only to discover they are almost dead.