Quote Originally Posted by Denaes
If by "beating someone for hours" you mean about a combat lasting about a minute (in game) or longer, then yeah.
I was of course trying to highlight the broken rule, not being literal. Though not by much - a sap inflicted 1-3 points of damage. Assuming no damage bonuses and an average of 2 points damage against a 50 hp fighter, the user could spend roughly 1/2 and hour achieving nothing, longer if the target has more hit points, regen/heal items. Of course if someone is trying to knock you out you dont stand there and take it. The whole point of knockout weapons was to quickly incapicate an opponent who could be a threat.

By the same token, suppose in a barroom brawl, when somone who bench presses Volkswagons king hits his targets jaw, the target isn't going anywhere except in a heap on the floor, and thats with just a fist (normal fist not a super ninja monk attack).

The old rules for knockout weapons was you required surprise, an opponent with an unarmoured head (no helmets), a sucessful hit (at -4 on the roll for called shot) and then you had a 5% chance per strength point of knocking them out.

Much better ruling IMHO - and as for not being heroic it worked both ways, heros could whack the evil high priest(tm) before he started flinging holy words and death fingers everywhere. And the care bear types could merely knock guards unconscious instead of giving them a permanent dirt nap. It also meant helmets were more than a fashion accessory which obsucred eyesight and hearing.