Savage Worlds SWADE Hardness Table Decay: The Ultimate Guide for Toughening Up Your Campaigns

Introduction

In the realm of role-playing games, character and object durability play a crucial role in determining the intensity and longevity of combat encounters. Savage Worlds Adventure Edition (SWADE) introduces the Hardness Table Decay mechanic, a game-changing concept that adds depth and realism to the damage system. This article delves into the intricacies of the Hardness Table Decay, its benefits, strategies, and humorous anecdotes, providing you with the ultimate guide to toughening up your SWADE campaigns.

Understanding Hardness Table Decay

The Hardness Table Decay rule in SWADE is a simple yet ingenious mechanic that simulates the gradual weakening of materials and structures as they sustain damage. Here's how it works:

• When an attack or effect deals damage to an object or character, it reduces the target's Hardness by the amount of damage dealt.
• As the target's Hardness decreases, it becomes more susceptible to further damage.
• The Hardness Table (found in the SWADE core rulebook) provides a reference for the various levels of Hardness and their effects on damage reduction.

Example of Hardness Table Decay:

Let's say a wooden door has a Hardness of 8. When a character swings an axe at it, they deal 4 damage. According to the Hardness Table, 4 damage reduces Hardness by 2, so the door's Hardness drops to 6. This means that the next hit on the door will have an easier time damaging it further.

Benefits of Hardness Table Decay

The Hardness Table Decay mechanic offers several benefits for SWADE games:

• Increased Realism: It simulates the real-world behavior of materials and objects, adding a layer of believability to combat.
• Tougher Encounters: It challenges players to adapt their tactics as enemies and obstacles become more difficult to defeat with each attack.
• Improved Strategy: It encourages players to consider the long-term consequences of their actions, as damaging structures or vehicles can make them more vulnerable later on.
• Reduced Damage Sponges: It prevents characters and creatures from becoming damage sponges that can withstand unrealistic amounts of punishment.

Effective Strategies for Utilizing Hardness Table Decay

Mastering the Hardness Table Decay mechanic can give you a significant advantage in SWADE combat. Here are some effective strategies:

• Target Weak Points: Identify areas of an object or character that are likely to be more vulnerable, such as joints or thin spots.
• Use Penetrating Attacks: Weapons with the Penetrating trait ignore a portion of the target's Hardness, making them more effective against armored enemies.
• Combine Attacks: Coordinate attacks with multiple characters to deal a significant amount of damage in a short period, potentially reducing Hardness to zero.
• Exploit Environmental Factors: Take advantage of environmental hazards, such as fire or explosives, which can bypass the target's Hardness and cause direct damage.

Why Hardness Table Decay Matters

The Hardness Table Decay mechanic plays a crucial role in shaping the overall gameplay experience in SWADE. It ensures that combat remains balanced, challenging, and unpredictable, while also fostering tactical thinking and creativity.

Benefits for Game Masters:

• Enhances the realism and immersion of combat encounters.
• Provides a tool to create tougher and more memorable adversaries.
• Encourages players to engage with the environment and use their surroundings to their advantage.

Benefits for Players:

• Challenges them to adapt their tactics and think strategically.
• Prevents them from relying on overpowering characters or weapons.
• Makes combat more exciting and unpredictable.

Humorous Anecdotes Involving Hardness Table Decay

The Hardness Table Decay mechanic has inspired many humorous moments in SWADE gameplay. Here are a few tales to make you smile:

• A group of adventurers faces a wooden door barring their way. They decide to bash it down with a battering ram, but after several unsuccessful attempts, they realize the door has Hardness 12. Desperate, the dwarf of the group pulls out his axe and begins hacking at the door, only to find that it's made of enchanted ironwood, which has Hardness 15.
• A character with a flamethrower faces off against a giant spider. The spider's Hardness of 8 makes it immune to the flame's damage, so the character thinks outside the box and uses the flamethrower to create a wall of fire around the spider, forcing it to engage in melee combat.
• A party of adventurers encounters a group of heavily armored guards. Instead of attacking the guards directly, they decide to target their shields, which have Hardness 6. After several rounds of concentrated fire, the shields are destroyed, leaving the guards vulnerable to the adventurers' attacks.

FAQs on Hardness Table Decay

1. Can I restore an object's Hardness once it has been reduced?

Yes, but only through magical means or special abilities.

2. What happens if an object or character with Hardness 0 is hit by an attack?

The object or character is destroyed or incapacitated.

3. Does Hardness Table Decay apply to all types of damage?

No, it only applies to physical damage.

4. Can I use Hardness Table Decay to weaken a spell or ability?

No, Hardness Table Decay only affects objects and characters.

5. What are some common misconceptions about Hardness Table Decay?

• It only applies to vehicles and structures.
• It makes characters and objects too weak.
• It's a way for game masters to cheat.

6. How can I use Hardness Table Decay to enhance my SWADE campaigns?

• Create environmental puzzles that require players to use Hardness Table Decay to overcome obstacles.
• Design enemies with unique abilities that interact with Hardness Table Decay.
• Use the mechanic to foreshadow future events or reveal hidden secrets.

Conclusion

The Hardness Table Decay mechanic in SWADE is a versatile and engaging game element that adds depth, realism, and strategy to combat encounters. By understanding its workings, embracing its benefits, and utilizing effective strategies, you can create memorable and challenging SWADE campaigns that will keep your players on the edge of their seats. So, embrace the decay and let the sparks fly!

Appendix: Tables

Table 1: Hardness Table Decay

Table 2: Common Materials and Their Hardness

Table 3: Hardness Table Decay and Damage Types