[gurps] point-blank shotguns and DR?

[Pauli Hakala]

Chris J. Whitcomb wrote:
> Scott K. Ellis wrote:
> 
>> On 9/16/06, Chris J. Whitcomb <rekres at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> One of the crew got ahold of an automatic shotgun (rof 3x9 dam 1d+1
>>> pi).  He used it against a draconian knight (very tough crossbreed
>>> human and dragon). The draconian has a total DR of 15 (5 from
>>> magical chainmail and 10 from natural thick scales).  In GURPS Basic
>>> p. 409, under the heading "Shotguns and Multiple Projectiles"... it
>>> says at ranges less than 10% of 1/2D to multiply both basic damage
>>> dice and the target's DR by half the value of RoF.  In this case
>>> that would be the target's DR goes from 15 to 60?!? (RoF 3x9, half
>>> of 9 is 4.5, round to 4.... 4*15 = 60) Is this a correct 
>>> interpretation of the rules as written?  Was it
>>> meant to be this way?
>>
>>
>> That's correct, shotgun blasts aren't particularly more effective
>> against DR, the pellets are still individually pretty small.  It's
>> just that more of them hit.
> 
> 
> And if the muzzle of the shotgun was placed against the chest before the 
> trigger was fired?  I'd assume that all the pellets would hit in a VERY 
> tight pattern...
> 

Realistically, a point-blank shotgun blast should inflict damage as if
the shot was one single large-caliber projectile. DR should be applied
only once against such an attack, and all of the pellets would hit the
target. Even if the blast was stopped by a bullet resistant vest or
the equivalent, the blunt trauma damage could still be fatal.

(IRL, such a brutal attack can take off head or limb, or bring down
a tree.)

> 
> New question from the same campaign:  Can an M16 be used to parry a 
> katana? and if so, what penalty would you apply?
> 

I think 'Block' would be more correct defense to use with an M16
against a sword, since it is really more of an 'improvised shield'
than a properly designed parrying weapon. Depending on how
succesfull the block is, the M16 might get damaged - The idea here
is to put the relatively cheap M16 in the harms way instead of
one's own more expensive/important body appendages..

Just my two cents.


-Pauli
-- 
"..Wings on my back, I got horns on my head. My fangs are sharp
and my eyes are red. Not quite an angel or the one that fell.."
-Lordi, Hard Rock Hallelujah, Eurovision 2006 Winner (292 points)