Reasoning behind quirky critical hit tables?
Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 10:05 am
Hi there!
I positively adore DCC's critical hit tables, but I don't quite understand their various quirks.
1) Why do some results on Table V have an expanded range (8-12 and 13-14)?
2) Why are the tables not sorted by increasing lethality (cf. Table V's result for a 17 - instant death - which is far deadlier than much of what follows, e.g. a severed arm at 20 and 24)?
3) Why do Tables I and III provide results far outside the range of what characters (and monsters using the tables) can roll? The most competent wizard can roll a d14 (plus modifiers) but Table I goes from 0-20. Likewise, a cleric/halfling/monster can roll a d16/d10 but Table III extends all the way to 28.
(Could these high results be achieved via Luck? If so, why do the other tables not extend farther?)
4) What's with rolling 2d20 rather than 1d30? Are the effects (results clustering around 21 in the first case etc.) intended?
I'm not criticising any of the above phenomena, by the way. I'm just curious! DCC's quirks are part of its flavor! I would just like to know if there is a deeper reason for these things.
Best wishes
Johann
I positively adore DCC's critical hit tables, but I don't quite understand their various quirks.
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
1) Why do some results on Table V have an expanded range (8-12 and 13-14)?
2) Why are the tables not sorted by increasing lethality (cf. Table V's result for a 17 - instant death - which is far deadlier than much of what follows, e.g. a severed arm at 20 and 24)?
3) Why do Tables I and III provide results far outside the range of what characters (and monsters using the tables) can roll? The most competent wizard can roll a d14 (plus modifiers) but Table I goes from 0-20. Likewise, a cleric/halfling/monster can roll a d16/d10 but Table III extends all the way to 28.
(Could these high results be achieved via Luck? If so, why do the other tables not extend farther?)
4) What's with rolling 2d20 rather than 1d30? Are the effects (results clustering around 21 in the first case etc.) intended?
I'm not criticising any of the above phenomena, by the way. I'm just curious! DCC's quirks are part of its flavor! I would just like to know if there is a deeper reason for these things.
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Best wishes
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Johann