In Savage Worlds Adventure Edition (SWADE), the concept of Object Hardness determines how much damage an object can withstand before breaking.

This replaces the earlier term “Object Toughness” used in previous editions.

Understanding Object Hardness:

• Definition: Object Hardness represents the durability of inanimate objects, indicating the amount of damage required to break or destroy them.
• Application: When an object sustains damage equal to or exceeding its Hardness, it is considered broken or destroyed. Certain attacks may be ineffective against specific objects; for example, a club cannot cut a rope, and a single bullet won’t destroy a door. Common sense should be applied when determining the effectiveness of an attack on an object.

Object Hardness Table:

While the specific table from SWADE is not reproduced here due to copyright restrictions, it provides Hardness values for various materials and objects, such as wood, stone, and metal. This table is located on page 98 of the SWADE core rulebook.

Example Hardness Values:

• Wooden Door: Typically has a lower Hardness value, making it easier to break through.
• Stone Wall: Has a higher Hardness, requiring more substantial damage to breach.
• Metal Object: Possesses significant Hardness, making it resistant to most conventional attacks.

Breaking Objects:

• Damage Threshold: To break an object, an attack must deal damage equal to or greater than its Hardness. For example, if a car door has a Hardness of 12, an attack must deal at least 12 damage to break it.
• Super Strength Consideration: Characters with enhanced strength can more easily break objects due to their increased damage output. For instance, a character with Super Strength would find it easier to break through a car door with Hardness 12.

Additional Considerations:

• Attack Type: Certain types of attacks may be more effective against specific materials. For instance, cutting weapons might be more effective against ropes, while blunt weapons could be better for smashing wooden objects.
• Narrative Context: Game Masters should consider the narrative context when determining the outcome of attempts to break objects, ensuring that the gameplay remains balanced and engaging.

For a visual explanation of Object Hardness and breaking objects in Savage Worlds, you might find this video helpful: