GURPS House Rules
Combat
Active Defenses
Retreat to Cover: if standing adjacent to cover (1 step) and you did not take a full move on your last turn, you may opt to take a sideways step into cover as part of a Dodge active defense; normal Retreat rules apply. This can only be done once per turn. Any additional attacks made against you from other foe will be affected by the cover.
Duck 'n Cover: if standing behind partial cover (low cover), when making Dodge and Drop active defense, you can opt to change posture to crawling, kneeling or sitting position instead of a prone position. Any additional attacks made against you from other foe will be affected by the cover.
Darkness & Visibility
Light Level
Based on either the time of day or availability of a light source, to determine the current light level (most beneficial).
Mid-morning thru Afternoon | Magical Light | Morning/Evening | Lantern/Torch | Sunrise/Sunset | Dusk/Twilight | Early/Late Night | Midnight | Total Darkness* |
0 | 0 | -1 | -3 | -4 | -6 | -8 | -9 | -10 |
*Total Darkness: underground, magical darkness or windowless interiors with no lighting.
Weather
Determine the most severe weather penalty and apply to the light level.
Drizzle or Light Rain | Heavy Cloud Cover | Heavy Rain | Fog or Smoke, by density |
-1 | -2 | -3 | -1 to -9 |
Enhanced Vision
Those with Night Vision, Infravision or Dark Vision, will be less penalized for the light level, but will still have their vision obscured by weather condition.
Effects
- Reduces chances of spotting objects or individuals (see below).
- Penalty to all melee and ranged attacks.
Lanterns, Torches & Magical Light
These artificial sources of light provide an enhanced light level within a 4-yard radius area of effect, but the benefit quickly diminished outside that area, with a -1 to visibility for each yard beyond the radius of light.
Spot Checks
This is a visual perception roll made to notice an object or individual, modified by:
- Light Level & Weather
- Size Modifier of target
- Range Modifier
- Cover & Concealment
- Enhanced Vision: Acute Vision, Telescopic Vision, etc.