Randomised Strength Modifiers to Damage

STR:	STR Modifier:	Add to Damage:	Average Damage Modifier:
12-13	+1	1	1
14-15	+2	d3	2
16-17	+3	d4	2.5
18-19	+4	d6	3.5
20-21	+5	d8	4.5
22-23	+6	d10	5.5
24-25	+7	d12	6.5
26-27	+8	d12+1	7.5
28-29	+9	d12+d3	8.5
30-31	+10	d12+d4	9
32-33	+11	d20	10.5
34-35	+12	d20+1	11.5
36-37	+13	d20+d3	12.5
38-39	+14	d20+d4	13
40-41	+15	d20+d6	14
42-43	+16	d20+d8	15
44-45	+17	d20+d10	16
46-47	+18	d20+d12	17
48-49	+19	d20+d12+1	18
50	+20	d20+d12+d3	19

In an attempt to add to the uncertainty of combat, a system of randomised Strength Modifiers can be used instead of the official constant modifiers. It's a system which has been used elsewhere (in the Earthdawn game, I believe).

The exact modifiers can be found in the table to the right.

The advantage of a randomised system is that it removes the certainty that a blow from a very strong combatant will always do a certain minimum amount of damage. The average damage modifier in most cases will be fractionally lower, but it also provides the potential to do more damage than usual, with a lucky shot.

Notes:

1. A d2 and d3 must be simulated using a d6:

   Die Type	d6 Roll	Result
   d2	1,2,3	1
   	4,5,6	2
   d3	1,2	1
   	3,4	2
   	5,6	3

   If everyone uses this same mechanism for determining a d2 or d3 result, there can be no confusion.
2. The modifier for STR cannot more than double the unmodified maximum weapon damage.
   • For example, a longsword does 1 to 8 (1d8) damage so the maximum damage that can be done, including STR modifier, is 16 points.
   • A +2 longsword does 3 to 10 (1d8+2) damage, so a high STR modifier would allow a maximum of 20 points of damage with a single blow.
   • A dagger would max out at only 8 points since its base damage is only 1d4.
3. Note that the adjusted damage maximum is for a normal blow, not a critical hit.
4. A blow from a very weak combatant works exactly in reverse, with the randomiser die result subtracted from the damage instead of being added to it. A successful blow will always inflict at least 1 point of damge, regardless of modifiers.