...and have them modify critical damage instead. I mean modify specific types of critical damage by modifying damage rolls on the critical tables/Matrix.
This is somewhat how MERP handled it.
I don't see where it matters whether the order of crits is linear or random.. effectively each result should have the same 5 chance of attaining it regardless of where it is on the chart, and a Progressive crit chart is easier to design than a random one.
For me it matters a lot. I don't want...
+1 Hit
+1 Hit and 1 Bleed
+1 Hit, 1 Bleed, and 1 Stun
+2 Hits, 1 Bleed, and 1 Stun
+2 Hits, 2 Bleed, and 1 Stun
+2 Hits, 2 Bleed, and 2 Stun
+2 Hits, 2 Bleed, 2 Stun, and -10
+2 Hits, 2 Bleed, 2 Stun, and -20
...and so on.
What I want is...
+1 Hit
+ 2 Hits
1 Bleed
+1 Hit and 1 Bleed
1 Stun
+3 Hits and 1 Stun
+5 Hits and 2 Bleed
1 Stun and 1 Bleed
... and so on.
I don't want an obvious and 100% predicable progression, but I do want a progression of seriousness that varies in it's exact nature. A predictable progression is
not more difficult than a varied progression so long as you have predefined values for the various effects. What's hard is creating the color text and unless you want
REALLY freaking boring color text it's still going to be just as hard to make the charts. For someone who makes up their own descriptions the predicable progression works only slightly better imo... because you're still describing a predicable mechanical effect even if you change up the 'why'.
I don't remember the exact numbers, but my values when writing the critical tables was
something like this...
1 Hit = 1 Point
1 Stun = 2 Points
1 Stun must Parry = 3 Points
1 Bleed = 3 Points
-5 penalty = 4 Points
1 Stun no Parry = 5 Points
There's other stuff, like disarming a weapon, breaking a shield, taking out a limb, death in x rounds to instant death, etc. But you get the idea. You assign a point value to each effect and then each critical has a point value as you move up the chart. It makes the mechanics of it very simple... it's the color text that bogs you down.