Stamina and One Hit KOs

[Noah Buttes]

So you're saying it's more exciting to just get knocked out in one hit and the fight being over then and there as the person knocked out is lasered/bludgeoned to death as opposed to them actually being able to defend themselves?

I think OMJ's point is that the ye olde, pre-stamina, RNG-based combat system lent a refreshing unpredictability to fights and brawls. It enabled everyone to have at least a chance, no matter how slim, at subduing a superior foe. It also made improvised weapons and fist-fighting much more viable than they are now.