Barbarian: Musclebound vs Smash

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Barbarian: Musclebound vs Smash
« on: May 21, 2014, 12:57:39 PM »
I don't understand the point of the barbarian advanced move called Smash when he has Musclebound as starting move. Can someone explain it to me?

From rulebook:
Starting Move Musclebound: While you wield a weapon it gains Forceful and Messy tags.
Advanced Move Smash!: When you hack and slah on a 12+ deal your damage and choose something physical your target has (a weapon, their position, a limb): they loose it.
Weapon tag Messy: It does damage in a particular destructive way, ripping people and things apart.
Weapon tag Forceful: It can knock someone back a  pace, maybe even off their feet.


Re: Barbarian: Musclebound vs Smash
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2014, 02:46:54 PM »
Messy and Forceful are interpreted by the GM; the object of the Smash! is named by the player.

As a GM, if someone dealt only 1-2HP of Messy/Forceful, I'd say they slashed the orc's face open, and blood sprays everywhere, and the orc falls back a pace -- but I wouldn't dismember the orc. With Smash!, it's not up to me; if the player hits 12+ and wants the orc to lose an arm, it's gone.

Messy/Forceful also won't usually take away the particularly important magic item your opponent is wearing. Smash! is ideal for getting Magneto's helmet off.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2014, 04:29:08 PM by Borogove »

Re: Barbarian: Musclebound vs Smash
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2014, 12:49:06 PM »
Ok, thanks for clarification.