To make OVA a little more deadly for my fantasy game, I'm using the critical hit tables as found in ICE's MERP and Rolemaster Express. Any time a character takes half of their maximum Health score in damage from a single wound, roll on the appropriate chart. The result ranges from a few more points of damage all the way up to instant death. Also, the damage bonuses are in line with OVA's Health/Endurance numbers so there is very little work for the GM to use the charts.
Sure, it's nasty but it's not GM fiat and the characters are insulated from death by a percentile roll. So far my players are loving it.
Making OVA grittier
I've heard Rolemaster repeatedly slammed over the years for its clunkiness, to the point it's regularly nicknamed Chartmaster. Yet, there's just something so superbly gratifying about those critical hit charts. Glad to see you've managed to lift them for use in OVA! Heck, maybe you can dig up the fumble rules, too. "You've managed to hack off your own foot. Oops!"
