optional field | 28 Apr 2015 7:51 a.m. PST |
Most of us have numerous on-screen zombies and many of us have gamed with them. Often the characteristics displayed in one instance conflict with those in another (e.g. are zombies fast or slow?) There has been the occasional poll TMP dealing with the portrayal of zombies TMP link . As with most zombification debates I have been privy to, that poll is concerned with the relative speed of zombies. The other topic most often debated seems to focus on the relative intelligence of zombies (i.e. are they clever or foolish). Yet effective means of zombie destruction seem to be relatively overlooked. Most zombie fiction allows for the zombies to have some ability to survive grievous wounds as seen here youtu.be/pfiYD96QRyk and elsewhere. Invariably the heroes in zombie fiction find some way to dispatch the undead. Irrespective of other considerations zombies in games & fiction seem to always have a point at which they become effectively non-threatening, but that point varies also seems to vary. My personal preference is that as long as any part of the zombie survives that part remains a threat, so cremation is the only certain way to render them out truly out-of-action, but I also realize that renders zombies far more threatening than most gamers prefer. So when ought a zombie be considered out-of-actions? a) grievous damage (defined as ?) b) dismemberment c) incineration d) head shots e) other (specify) |
pzivh43 | 28 Apr 2015 8:08 a.m. PST |
I favor c and d. Otherwise, they are still capable of biting! |
15th Hussar | 28 Apr 2015 8:46 a.m. PST |
When it is "De-Head-icated Dead to Death". |
Col Durnford | 28 Apr 2015 8:47 a.m. PST |
"If you remove thier head they are powerless" |
etotheipi | 28 Apr 2015 8:59 a.m. PST |
e) Depending on the type of zombi (i.e., the method of zombification), what takes them out will change. |
JezEger | 28 Apr 2015 9:19 a.m. PST |
Standard is decapitation, or head shot. Setting them on fire just creates a moving Molotov cocktail until their braaaaaaainnnnnzzzz get fried. Taking off arms and legs makes no difference, just makes it harder for them to reach you. See zombie survival guide for reference. |
TNE2300 | 28 Apr 2015 10:20 a.m. PST |
in return of the living dead didn't cremation just bread more zombies? |
Shadowcat20 | 28 Apr 2015 12:00 p.m. PST |
Depends upon the way they were animated. If it is radiation/undead/parasite then you would have to destroy the body. For virus or other disease it seems the body should die in the normal manner, I.E. head shot, or any other damage that would kill a normal person. But…I find it interesting that they are portrayed as living eating machines then shown with guts hanging out or other serious damage that would stop the process. Then there is cold, if a Zombie is no longer alive and generating heat then would the body not freeze solid in the winter? Also the hordes burn energy somehow so eventualy they would thin out from starvation. Just a few random thoughts, |
GROSSMAN | 28 Apr 2015 12:53 p.m. PST |
Burning doesn't work it, then you just have a crispy zombie coming at you. Only head shot or decapitation. |
War Monkey | 28 Apr 2015 2:02 p.m. PST |
Let's go with a virus taking over the brain, dead but not dead, they eat to live and yet could starve but would take much longer then and average human, and thus critical shot would not necessary stop them immediately like a human, say a slow signal response to the brain, they could be generating body heat as well. So head shot down and out immediately Body shots they still come at you for a shot term (roll for number of turns) Fire they still come at you for a short term (roll for number of turns) Dismemberment due to explosions and/or other sharp objects still moving but again for a short term (foll for number of turns then divide by two round down to the lower number, example roll a 3 divide by 2 equals 1.5 round down to 1) Just a gaming thought/idea |
sillypoint | 28 Apr 2015 3:17 p.m. PST |
When your dice roll, beats the zombies dice roll. Remove zombie from the table, move on and secure the next choke point. Oh, don't forget to roll for your random bonus item. 😜 Don't overthink it, it's a game. Have you ever stopped to consider the muscle tone of rotting flesh, it's not science, it's magic that propels the zombies. 😉 |
Matsuru Sami Kaze | 29 Apr 2015 3:31 a.m. PST |
Have played ATZ. No head shots described in rules. Probably because Head shots are crazy hard. Near impossible at range. Rules of engagement in most PD's is to cluster rounds mid torso for hostile offenders if you have to draw at all. It how all PD's are trained. There is no thought to putting a round in an offender's leg, much less head. It's always mid torso targeting. Head shotting a Zeke is very close range stuff. Dangerous, eh? If the offender/Zeke don't go down with torso shots…what? |
Great War Ace | 29 Apr 2015 7:24 a.m. PST |
When it can no longer move. If that means a "double tap" to the gord, I can't argue. If it means dismemberment, ditto that. Zombies that are people under some kind of mind control "spell/influence" still have to function mechanically, and that means being viable mechanically. Sweep the leg and down they go. Take out the arm and the weapon goes with it. Remove the brainpan and the rest of the body loses contact with the "powers that be". In my games, I like to make zombies take three hits, whereas a normal man takes one. So, "a", I guess…. |
CAPTAIN BEEFHEART | 30 Apr 2015 12:33 p.m. PST |
It is always 'D'. Romero says so…. |