Yo Readers!
Welcome to our deep dive into SWADE Savage Worlds Hardness. Whether you’re a seasoned Savage Worlds veteran or just starting your journey, this guide will arm you with all the knowledge you need to understand and master this essential concept. So, grab a cuppa joe, put on your reading specs, and let’s get started!
What the Heck is Hardness?
In SWADE Savage Worlds, Hardness represents the toughness and durability of an object or creature. It measures how much punishment an object can take before it breaks or becomes damaged. For example, a brittle glass object might have a Hardness of 4, while a sturdy metal plate could have a Hardness of 12.
Effects of Hardness
Hardness plays a crucial role in combat and other situations where objects or creatures are subjected to physical force. It affects the following:
Damage Resistance
Objects and creatures with higher Hardness are more resistant to damage. When attacked, they can soak up more damage before they start taking wounds or other negative effects.
Breaking and Destroying
Objects and creatures can be broken or destroyed if they take enough damage that exceeds their Hardness. This is especially important in combat scenarios, where opponents aim to reduce each other’s Hardness to zero.
Environmental Hazards
Hardness also comes into play in environmental hazards. For example, a character with high Hardness might be able to endure scorching heat or freezing cold better than someone with low Hardness.
Hardness Values and Types
Hardness values can range from 0 to 15 in SWADE Savage Worlds. The higher the value, the tougher and more durable the object or creature is.
There are three main types of Hardness:
Standard Hardness
This is the most common type of Hardness, which represents the toughness of the object or creature itself.
Enhanced Hardness
Some objects or creatures might have enhanced Hardness due to magical enchantments or other special abilities.
Temporary Hardness
Certain abilities or spells can grant temporary Hardness bonuses, which can be vital in the heat of combat.
Table: Hardness Values for Common Objects and Creatures
| Object/Creature | Hardness |
|---|---|
| Knife | 4 |
| Wooden door | 6 |
| Leather armor | 8 |
| Steel plate armor | 12 |
| Troll | 8 |
| Dragon | 15 |
Conclusion
Understanding Hardness in SWADE Savage Worlds is essential for success in combat and other challenging situations. By mastering this concept, you’ll be able to make informed decisions that can tip the scales in your favor. Check out our other articles for more tips, tricks, and insights into the world of Savage Worlds!
FAQ about SWADE Hardness
What is Hardness in Savage Worlds?
Hardness represents the difficulty of damaging an object or creature, such as armor, a wall, or a monster’s hide.
How does Hardness work?
When an attacker rolls their attack, they compare the result to the target’s Hardness. If the attack roll is equal to or greater than the Hardness, the attack inflicts damage.
What happens if an attack roll meets Hardness?
If the attack roll equals the target’s Hardness, the attack inflicts only half damage.
Can Hardness be raised or lowered?
Yes, some abilities and items can modify the Hardness of a creature or object. For example, the "Tough" Edge increases a character’s Hardness by 1, and the "Unarmored" Hindrance decreases it by -1.
What is "Soaking"?
Soaking is the ability to reduce damage based on Hardness. When a creature is attacked, they can soak damage up to their Hardness. For example, if a creature with Hardness 6 is hit by an attack that inflicts 8 damage, it would only take 2 damage.
How does armor work with Hardness?
Armor grants additional Hardness to the wearer. For example, a suit of plate armor might provide +3 Hardness. This means that the character wearing the armor would have a total Hardness of 9.
Can multiple sources of Hardness stack?
No, Hardness from different sources does not stack. If a creature has multiple sources of Hardness, they use the highest value.
What does "Extra Hardness" mean?
Extra Hardness represents additional toughness that cannot be soaked. It is added after the target’s regular Hardness is calculated. For example, a monster with Hardness 6 and Extra Hardness 2 would have an effective Hardness of 8.
How is Hardness used in combat?
Hardness is used to determine whether an attack inflicts damage, how much damage is inflicted, and whether the damage can be soaked. It is an important aspect of combat, and can help to protect characters from harm.
What are some examples of Hardness in play?
- A player character with the "Tough" Edge and a suit of plate armor has a Hardness of 10. This means that they are very difficult to damage, and can soak a lot of damage before being seriously injured.
- A monster with a thick hide and Extra Hardness 3 has an effective Hardness of 9. This means that it is very difficult to kill, and even powerful weapons will have trouble penetrating its defenses.
