Attacking a Tank’s Hardness in Savage Worlds: Strategies for Success
In the world of tabletop role-playing games, few challenges are as thrilling as taking on heavily armored vehicles, like tanks. In Savage Worlds, a system known for its fast-paced gameplay and cinematic action, tackling a tank requires a blend of strategy, teamwork, and an understanding of the game’s mechanics. In this article, we’ll delve into effective strategies for attacking a tank’s hardness, ensuring your players have a fighting chance against these formidable foes.
Understanding Tank Hardness
In Savage Worlds, hardness represents a vehicle’s ability to withstand damage. Tanks typically have high hardness ratings due to their reinforced armor, making them difficult targets. Here’s what you need to know:
- Hardness Rating: A tank’s hardness is subtracted from the damage dealt to it. For example, if a tank has a hardness of 10 and a character deals 15 damage, only 5 damage will actually affect the tank.
- Armor Penetration: Some weapons have the ability to ignore or reduce a tank’s hardness. Understanding which weapons or attacks can penetrate armor is key to successfully damaging a tank.
Strategies for Attacking a Tank
1. Choose the Right Weapons
Not all weapons are created equal when it comes to dealing with armored targets. Here are some options:
- Explosives: Grenades and other explosive devices can deal significant area damage. They may bypass hardness or affect multiple targets at once.
- Armor-Piercing Rounds: If players have access to specialized ammunition, such as armor-piercing rounds, they can significantly reduce a tank’s hardness.
- Heavy Weapons: Using heavy artillery or machine guns can help increase the likelihood of dealing damage. Make sure your characters have access to these kinds of weapons.
2. Target Vulnerable Spots
Just like in real life, tanks have weak spots that can be exploited. Encourage players to aim for these areas:
- Tracks and Wheels: Targeting the tracks can immobilize the tank, making it less effective in combat. This can be particularly useful for setting up ambushes.
- Turret and Command Areas: Attacking the turret or command hatch can disrupt the crew and potentially incapacitate the tank.
3. Utilize Tactics and Teamwork
Combat in Savage Worlds is often more successful when players work together. Here are a few tactical suggestions:
- Flanking Maneuvers: Attempt to surround the tank. While one or two players engage from the front, others can hit from the sides or rear, where armor may be weaker.
- Distraction Techniques: Use distractions, such as smoke grenades or flashbangs, to obscure the tank’s vision and create openings for attacks.
- Coordination: Have players plan their attacks to coincide, maximizing damage output. For instance, one player can use a heavy weapon while another lays down suppressive fire.
4. Use Skills and Edges
Savage Worlds offers a variety of skills and edges that can enhance a character’s effectiveness in combat. Here are some to consider:
- Shooting Skill: Characters with a high shooting skill have better chances of hitting targets, even tough ones like tanks.
- Demolitions: Characters skilled in demolitions can rig explosives to maximize damage against armored vehicles.
- Combat Edges: Edges like “Gunner” or “Combat Reflexes” can provide bonuses that make attacking tanks more effective.
5. Environmental Factors
The battlefield itself can provide opportunities for creative attacks:
- Cover: Utilize terrain for cover while planning attacks. Hills, buildings, or debris can shield players from the tank’s fire.
- Obstacles: Consider creating obstacles in the environment that the tank must navigate, giving players time to attack while the tank is maneuvering.
Conclusion
Attacking a tank in Savage Worlds can be an exhilarating challenge that tests the skills and teamwork of your players. By understanding the mechanics of tank hardness, choosing the right weapons, targeting weak spots, utilizing teamwork, and leveraging skills and environmental factors, players can turn the tide of battle in their favor. With these strategies in hand, your gaming sessions will be filled with thrilling encounters that leave everyone on the edge of their seats!
