GURPS Sean Punch On GM Stan’s Killer Karate Stone Golem Encounter

Testimonial solicited from GURPS editor/designer Sean Punch during Gen Con 2004 in Indianapolis, after yet another TPK under GM Stan Miller using Steve Jackson Games’ tabletop role-playing game rules. The described gameplay happened back in Milwaukee the previous summer. Just wanted an objective opinion here. :( For context, our no-magic fantasy characters (about 3rd level fighters in comparison to D&D) were stuck on a small island on which was found a wizard’s manor house. After avoiding the house for hours, we eventually ventured inside, spotted four life-size stone statues, and correctly assumed they would animate the moment we got near them or made a noise. Sure enough, setting foot inside the building instantly “turned them on,“ and we were told the golems each had Karate-18 - an “expert“ combat skill level with a 98.1% chance to hit, striking twice per round and doing a handful of dice for damage. We quickly discovered they also had a Move speed 50% faster than most humans, and my character suffered