Knockdown is the debilitating effect of severe damage and "shock"--in short, the stun effect. Whenever a character suffers a major wound or is struck in the head or vitals with enough injury to cause a shock penalty (for most characters, this is any damage), they must make an immediate HT roll to avoid knockdown and stunning.
Hits to the groin (for males) also count as a vital attack for knockdown, although this is more practical for "grounded" or martial-arts themed adventures, and less so for high fantasy adventures--you'd hate see wizards and barbarians losing a battle due to a kick in the nuts.[1]
Modifiers[]
| Condition | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Generic Major Wound | +0 |
| Skull or Vitals hit | +0 |
| Major Wound to the Face or Vitals* | -5 |
| Major Wound to the Skull or Eye | -10 |
* or Groin, see above.
| Condition | Modifier |
|---|---|
| High Pain Threshold[2] | +3 |
| Default | +0 |
| Low Pain Threshold | -4 |
On a success, you suffer no penalty beyond ordinary shock. On a failure, you are stunned. You fall prone and drop anything you were holding. On a failure of 5 or more, you fall unconscious!
Special Resistances[]
- Those with No Brain don't suffer special modifiers for skull, face, and eye injuries.
- Likewise, those with No Vitals don't get penalties for hits to the vitals (and groin).
- Homogenous and Diffuse creatures have both these benefits already. It'll take a major wound to cause knockdown with these creatures!
- The Hard to Subdue advantage helps
- Most undead and magical constructs are immune to pain and knockdown[3]--assume they don't have to roll for these!
See Also[]
If you're looking to physically "knock things down" by knocking them over through a powerful push, see shoves, slams, and knockback!
References[]
- Basic Set, p.420
- ↑ Your mileage may vary
- ↑ creatures with Supernatural Durability also count as having High Pain Threshold!
- ↑ See "Resistant to Pain", Powers: Divine Favor, p.10