MBS Monthly Poll #26: Critical Hits!

[Ruckdog]

Coming up in Episode 33, Greg and Andy are going to be discussing the mechanic of Critical Hits and how they are used in various naval games. Are you a fan of this mechanic? Or do you feel that it takes away too much tactical thought from games and is better left out? Let us know below, and your answers will be discussed on-air during the Community Sitrep segment of the next episode of the MBS Podcast!

[Covertwalrus]

 I must confess, I am more often a victim of Critical Hits in games - readers of certain Facebook pages will be entertained by the repeated chain of magazine explosions that result from my use of Icarus squadrons in DW - but with one proviso; that they are rare events, representing a particularly sharp shot of unusual accident on a target ship.

 Moving slightly aside, the land game of Dirtside 2 has the BOOM result chit that divides the community. It does cause spectacular results and can equalize disparate forces, but the question is always asked as to its realism.

[voidstarsinger]

i dont mind them happening but not too often  thinking about this and since i mostly play drop fleet which has a roll when a ship hits 50% of its starting hull it is a good way of showing battle damage . which wound be hard to fix while fighting , what i dont like is a too easy "oh that ship explodes" roll when its taken no damage 
as a side note most    historical events of this nature seem to be when  someone is doing they should not or not doing something the should be
edit 30/07/2018

[KazadHarri]

Yes, Critical hits are needed.  As I have grown more senior and hopefully educated.  I am a firm believer.  I also value a more systems related approach to damage in naval games instead of a degradation mechanism.  Critical hits are the best way to represent this, unless you go to a Star Fleets battles type system.  This also fits in with my reading of damage results in combat in the WWI, and WWII periods, it also fits in with my experience as a SWO in the US Navy.  System failure, and damage is generally a result of a single cause, not a thousand paper cuts leading to issues.  /Jeff

[Landlubber]

Even though I am also usually on the receiving end of them, I voted "yes". Adds to the excitement and "realism" of the games. I'll explain more on the podcast!

Yes, Critical hits are needed.  As I have grown more senior and hopefully educated.  I am a firm believer.  I also value a more systems related approach to damage in naval games instead of a degradation mechanism.  Critical hits are the best way to represent this, unless you go to a Star Fleets battles type system.  This also fits in with my reading of damage results in combat in the WWI, and WWII periods, it also fits in with my experience as a SWO in the US Navy.  System failure, and damage is generally a result of a single cause, not a thousand paper cuts leading to issues.  /Jeff

What do you mean by "degradation mechanism"? Are you referring to the mechanic in Dystopian Wars and Firestorm Armada where attack dice are reduced as the ships lose hull points?

[KazadHarri]

Not referring to FA or Dys wars specifically since I have never played either, but many game systems use a hit points type mechanics.  Naval Thunder, General Quarters, Sea Kreig, etc.  Where damage caused reduces a ships capabilities by so much on a increasing scale.  Where a systems approach would be that a hit that causes damage would damage that system hit.  Critical hits are this way generally.  Or how Star Fleet battles (old school)  has boxes for systems.  So a hit which penetrates the armor of a target damages a system, not causing x points of damage.  I almost would like to see a good naval game of critical hits only. 

[Easy E]

I like critical hits as it mirrors what I have read in the History books. 

Ships can take a tremendous beating and shrug it off..... until they can't.  Most big damage is sudden and catastrophic with the rest just being a nuisance until something really bad happens.  It is almost at random and the only way to cause real damage is to mass firepower until you get lucky!