Fic snippet

[dvandom]

The problem with just being able to jump around a lot, instead of actually flying, is that once you're in the air you're pretty much stuck on a ballistic path. Sit through any intro physics course and you'll learn that a ballistic path is really predictable, the center of mass has to follow a parabolic arc. Minion training basic lesson for dealing with acrobatic heroes like me...forget about headshots or anything fancy, always aim for the center of mass. The second we go airborne, we become clay pigeons.

Of course, if you stick around for the entire intro physics course, and you'll learn that you don't have to actually have any of your body at your center of mass at any given time....

Comments

[mib24601.livejournal.com]

I guess I am missing the point because I'm certainly not trying to "troll" but rather ask why should minions be trained to target a leaping heroes center of mass. I don't see the advantage, although obviously you do. So, would you please explain it to me? I'd appreciate it.

[dvandom.livejournal.com]

Unless they take special care as mentioned in the original snippet, the center of mass will always include part of the body, usually the gut. With the feet off the ground, the center of mass pretty much has to follow a ballistic path, really easy to predict. If you're only concerned with getting a hit of SOME sort, it's a good time to shoot. Once they've been hit, even with body armor, they're likely to slow down enough that you can actually succeed at a head shot.

[mib24601.livejournal.com]

OK, got it. Thank you.

My earlier issue came from the superhero trope that "body armor protects against everything," where a hero is shot in a protected area but seems to feel no effect. Under a more realistic system, I will certainly agree with your premise. This is why Batman-esque heroes should have short lifespans.