Vulnerabilities

Weaknesses that can be exploited by others.

In games where one can suffer damage or other adverse effects, entities may be more vulnerable to some attacks than others. Having such Vulnerabilities mean that player have to adjust their gameplay to minimize the likelihood of these being exploited, but when others have them it can instead provide opportunities. If enemies are suspected of having Vulnerabilities this can lead to gameplay aimed at confirming the presence or absence of these.

Examples

In the fourth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, monsters that are vulnerable to a specific form of attack simply take a predetermined extra amount of damage each time such an attack hits them. GURPS has the disadvantage Vulnerability that multiplies damages from certain types of attack depending on how vulnerable one is.

The design of weapons and monsters in Quake have been described as having chains of vulnerabilities where one monster is vulnerable to one type of weapon, but that weapon makes the player vulnerable to another type of monster.

The vampires in the Elder Scrolls series take damages if they are outdoors when the sun is up. The werewolves found in the Bloodmoon expansion of Morrowind take double damage from silver weapons.

Using the pattern

The design of a Vulnerability consist of deciding which have it, what causes it, and what the effect is.

Probably the most commonly used cause for Vulnerabilities is different types of Damage (e.g. fire, electricity, etc.). Vulnerabilities can be used to create Environmental Effects that only affect a small group of Characters - for example making vampires take damage when exposed to the sun does help define a gameplay difference between outdoor and indoor areas.

Although Vulnerabilities is incompatible with complete Invulnerabilities the patterns can be used together when applied to different types of attacks or effects. An exception where complete Invulnerabilities work with Vulnerabilities is when a single Vulnerability provides an Achilles' Heel to an otherwise invulnerable entity.

Consequences

Can Instantiate

Gain Information, Rock-Paper-Scissors, Varied Gameplay

with Enemies

Experimenting

with Powers or Weapons

Strategic Knowledge, Strategic Planning, Tactical Planning

Can Modulate

Avatars Characters, Ammunition, Boss Monsters, Combat, Movement, Damage, Enemies, Weapons, Units

Potentially Conflicting With

Invulnerabilities

Relations

Can Instantiate

Environmental Effects, Gain Information, Rock-Paper-Scissors, Varied Gameplay

with Enemies

Experimenting

with Invulnerabilities

Achilles' Heels

with Powers or Weapons

Strategic Knowledge, Strategic Planning, Tactical Planning

Can Modulate

Ammunition, Avatars, Boss Monsters, Characters, Combat, Damage, Enemies, Movement, Weapons, Units

Can Be Instantiated By

-

Can Be Modulated By

-

Possible Closure Effects

-

Potentially Conflicting With

Invulnerabilities

History

New pattern created in this wiki.