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Ion Weapons



This one was not easy, it required a little research and a lot of thought. First, an Ion is a charged particle and like all such particles it is attracted to unlike charges and repelled by like charges. Ion weapons must shoot a packet of LIKE charged particles. Because these particles are of similar charge they, by the laws of physics, will tend to disperse themselves rather rapidly (thus the short range of Ion weaponry). Unlike other weapons which depend on impact for thier damage, the Ion weapons gets it's effects from the electrical damage. Organic objects, and electronics would be exstensively damaged, often 'shorting out' either type of system rather easily. Humanoids will often be defibrillated upon being shot (assuming that they have a heart), and secondarily burned (thrid degree and localized). This of course requires immediate medical attention or death will result! Electronics, will be rendered usless unless they are 'hardened ' against such attacks, requiring extensive repair to get working again! Purely mechanical devises will be for the most part unharmed, unless they have many small, moving parts, which may be fused (GM's use your discression). In addition ALL Ion weapons should have a +1 or greater bonus to strike, as the charged particles are naturally attracted to electrically neutral objects. As you can see Ion weapons would work excellent against people and complex machines but would do little damage to either. It is the side effects (defibrillation, knocking out of electronics, etc) that are the real use of these weapons, and as such would prove to be excellent anti personel (as long as the armor that they wear is conductive, most MDC™ is NOT!) and anti-machine weapons. Knocking out machines on the battlefield and killing un-armored humans is the best use of these weapons.
I suggest the following modification:
Convert the MDC™ damage to SDC™ damage and it is in the form of burns.
Ion weapons should have a 85% chance of destroying electronic systems. Even the systems of most Body Armors will be effected, however most FULL CONVERSION borgs will not be efected as their armor is usually non-conductive, but after 30% of their MDC™ is gone they will fall under the effects of both defib and shorting of electronics!
The physical damage to anything should be the burn damage listed above.
Humanoids (with a heart) shoul roll vs. system shock or immediatlly go into cardiac arrest, ussuming they are exposed or in electrically conductive armor (metal). If the humanoid is in a plastic or ceramic type armor then only the burn damage (see above) applies (to the armor, and possibly shutdown).
Range should be reduced by half.

GM's: If this is to strong for your game, then simply don't use it , the goal is to have fun. If you like realism in your game then you've come to the right place, these house rules will add texture to your game and prevent so much of the "Munckin-ism" that is going around.
Have Fun!, and Good gaming