New Throwing/Knockback Rules

(for 5th Edition Hero)

Introduction:

The Hero System has always produced unrealistic results for throwing. A toddler can, when running, throw a football up to 40 meters. A 60 STR brick with a running throw can throw a football 136 meters, or slightly more than three times as much as a toddler. The main problem with the system is that it is linear, and only applies one variable to the way an object is thrown. In addition, how aerodynamic or balanced an object is has no effect on the throwing distance.
The Hero System handles knockback reasonably well - the comic book genre regularly has people flying back several meters from punches and blasts. However, the one aspect not addressed is when a hero wants to attack solely for the purpose of knockback
Both of these issues are addressed below. These rules are designed both to be more realistic on the low-end, and to have the proper 'comic-book' feel on the high-end.

Throwing Concepts:

Velocity per Segment: This is determined by taking the Extra STR (the amount of STR over and above the amount needed to lift the object), and
dividing it by five. If the throw is downward, treat it as a fall that starts with the character's current velocity (see the table on page 291 of the 5th edition book).
Segments of Movement: This is determined by taking either the Extra STR or the character's base STR (whichever is less), and referring to the table below. If the table indicates a partial segment of movement, then multiply the fraction by the velocity to determine the distance traveled in the final segment of movement. The movement takes place at the same DEX when the throw was originally performed. Segments of movement are halved if the primary direction of movement is upward (against the pull of gravity).
Aerodynamic (Aero): Shaped for throwing and/or flight
Balanced (Bal): Weight distribution aids throwing and/or flight

Throwing Chart

STR (or Extra STR)	Aero & Bal	Aero or Bal	Non Aero/Bal
0 or less	1	1/2	1/4
5	2	1	1/2
10	4	2	1
15	6	3	1 1/2
20	8	4	2
30	12	6	3
40	16	8	4
50	20	10	5
60	24	12	6
Every added +5	+2	+1	+1/2

Throwing Maneuvers:

Long-Range Throw (+0 OCV, -5 DCV, +1 Segment): This maneuver multiplies the segments travelled by 1.5.
Running Throw: If the character throws in conjunction with a half or full move, they can add the inches moved/3 to either the velocity of the throw or to the segments travelled (after any other adjustments). The throw must be in the same direction as the movement.
Under these rules, a 'Grab and Throw' maneuver is not allowed. Instead, treat a throw as a separate maneuver, that requires the character to already have the object in hand.

Knockback Velocity:

It is generally assumed that knockback from punches, energy blasts, and so forth is an incidental effect of the power. Under this assumption, the current system of knockback works reasonably well. However, if an attack is made primarily for the purposes of knockback, simply convert every inch of knockback rolled into 5 STR, and treat as a throw on the table above. Note that (with rare exceptions) the target will be a non-aerodynamic/non-balanced object.
If attacking for knockback, the damage of the attack (both STUN and BODY) is halved, after defenses are applied. This is treated as if the target performed a free Rolling With The Punch maneuver. Attacks with the advantage of Double Knockback are a special case. Since such attacks automatically assume that the primary purpose of the attack is knockback, the damage is not reduced.

Damage from Throw:

Obstacle Hit during Throw: 1d6 per 1" of velocity up to the obstacle's DEF + BODY in d6, at which point the obstacle is destroyed (unless the object throwi has a lower DEF + BODY total). The object throw continues traveling based on its remaining velocity (segments traveled can also be reduced, if the gamemaster wishes). Soft or elastic objects are an exception to this, and can be ruled to simply bounce off of the obstruction at the gamemaster's discretion.
Unobstructed Throw: The object impacts into the ground at the end of the throw, taking 1d6 per 2" of velocity.

Methods of Avoiding/Reducing Damage:

At the gamemaster's option, any of the following maneuvers can be aborted to in order to reduce damage from a throw:

• Acrobatics roll: Used to swing off a nearby object in order to reduce or redirect momentum
• Breakfall roll: Used to absorb impact on Unobstructed Throws, no effect if obstacle hit
• Grab a fixed object: 1/2 phase attack action, used to reduce velocity by the lesser of the character's STR/5, or the object's DEF + BODY (at which point the object breaks).
• Rolling With The Punch: 1/2 phase, abortable, used to absorb damage
• Using an appropriate Movement Power: Reduce velocity by the distance moved. Flight and Gliding are the most common powers used to reduce velocity. However, other powers such as Leaping, Swinging, and even Swimming can be used in certain situations. Tunnelling is a special case. When striking an obstacle (or the ground), the GM may allow the character to reduce the effective velocity by the character's inches of Tunnelling, if the character can tunnel through the obstacle hit.

Final Notes:

The above rules make throwing much more useful, especially in games with high Strength characters. Requiring characters to make a throw as a separate maneuver balances this in part, but a strong character has the potential of ending a combat with a single throw. Double Knockback is also very effective under these rules, and powers built with that advantage should be examined carefully. Likewise, the limitation Only for Throwing should only be worth -1/2 under these rules (perhaps even less).

© 1993-2002 Casey McGirt

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