Temporary Insanity in Combat

In several cases, the characters will go temporarily insane during
combat. In our group, that has been a source for severes differences.
What does an insane character do while fighting? Does he sit around
and drool, or does he shoot away like crazy?

To try to overcome that problem, I worked out the following table.

Why should you use a random table for insanity? Simply put, in a case
of temporary insanity in combat where a character's life might hinge
on the outcome, your players will feel better if they don't feel it
was your decision or fault that they died but when they can blame it
on their bad luck instead.

Please send any comments to ricardo@tecapro.com


01-05 Disgust and repugnance.  The character won't be able to face the
      object of his insanity for the period of time, not even to fight
      it. If cornered by the cause of the insanity, he will defend
      himself by all means, but not in any other cases. If the source
      of the insanity cannot be identified by the character (if, for
      example, it was the result of a spell and he didn't see the caster
      or couldn't figure it out), he will loathe the nearest threat.

06-19 Irrational fear. The character will do anything in his power to
      get what he perceive to be a threat away from him, which might
      include throwing his partners at the creatures or charge madly
      toward the source of his fear in an attempt to break through the
      only door in a room.

      All gun, shotgun, machinegun, etc. skills are lowered by 5% for
      the insanity period.

20-35 Violence. The character will react violently to anything and
      everything that approaches him, especially the source of his
      insanity (if identifiable) or anything weird that appears. The
      character feels that the source of the insanity must be
      eliminated at all cost. If the source is not identified, the
      nearest threat will be eliminated, along with anything that
      tries to stop him.

36-59 Random attacks. For the insanity period, the character will
      attack randomly in different directions. Roll 1d8 for the
      directions the character is facing when he attacks.

                        Front

                     8    1    2
                      \   |   /
                       \  |  /
           Right  7 --- Char. --- 3  Left
                       /  |  \
                      /   |   \
                     6    5    4
                         Back

      Of course, it helps to know where the other characters are
      located.

      All attacking abilities except direct attacks (punch, etc.) are
      reduced by 15%. If shooting, the character won't have the
      presence of mind to re-load. It that case, it is possible that
      the empty weapon will be used as a small club.

      Also, every round there is a cumulative 5% that the character
      will stop attacking and start behaving as in the point titled
      "Madness" (60-94)

60-94 Madness. The character will not recognize his surroundings, nor
      anyone else, and might wander off aimlessly if possible. He will
      defend himself if attacked, although not with guns or any other
      weapon more complex than a club or knife. If the character has
      a gun, there is a good chance that it will be used as a small club.

95-00 Catatonia. The character just sits there, without reacting, even
      if attacked or struck. A sure track to hell.

Ricardo J. Mendez