Player's Option - Combat and Tactics

7/21/2019 Player's Option - Combat and Tactics

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Player's Option:

Combat & Tactics

Foreword

Way back in issue #39 ofDragonMagazine ! found a great artic"e ca""ed Good Hitsand Bad Misses My friends and ! $ad been %"aying t$e '&'( game for a cou%"e of

years and we took one "ook and ado%ted t$e artic"e)s critica" $it and fumb"e system We

ignored e*ery %iece of ad*ice about res%onsib"e use of t$e system and began using t$ecritica" tab"es in our ne+t game

,ur e%ic batt"es turned into b"oodbat$s ,ur grou% of ad*enturers "eft a trai" of

dismemberment and sucking c$est wounds in our wake ! distinct"y reca"" one batt"e inw$ic$ my c$aracter a dwar*en fig$ter named -ende" $ad t$e unbe"ie*ab"e misfortune of

"osing one "eg an arm and t$e ot$er "eg at t$e ank"e -e sti"" $ad 3. $it %oints "eft so-ende" ke%t on batt"ing swinging $is a+e wit$ great war/cries as $e craw"ed a"ong after

$is enemies Ta"k about your sus%ended disbe"ief01ow it occurs to me t$at maybe 2ust maybe e*en Conan or 4odzi""a05 wou"d $a*e

been inca%acitated by t$ese in2uries !n fact maybe -ende" if ro"e/%"ayed we"" wou"d

$a*e cur"ed u% into a ba"" and cried for $is mot$er w$en $e "ost t$at first "eg ! sure wou"d$a*e 6ut we $ad a great time wit$ it e*en w$en fumb"es "ed to friend"y/fire

deca%itations and ot$er suc$ incidents

T$e %oint to a"" t$is is t$at any fantasy ro"e/%"aying game $as a %retty toug$ 2ob increating fast but semi/rea"istic combat ru"es and t$e '&' game e*en wit$ *ariant

ru"es "ike t$e critica" $it system we ran amok wit$ is basica""y an abstract game T$e

Combat & Tacticsbook is a com%romise t$at adds some detai" to combat7not to make itmore realistic but to make combat more believable T$ere are darn good reasons w$y%eo%"e sto% fig$ting after t$ey "ose a cou%"e of "imbs w$y 8t$/"e*e" fig$ters don)t turn

t$eir backs on guys wit$ kni*es in t$eir $ands and w$y %eo%"e oug$t to be %o"ite to angry

fo"ks %ointing "oaded crossbows at t$em!f you)re one of t$ose %"ayers w$o t$inks -ey it)s on"y 8d; %oints of damage w$at

do ! care


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ru"es ca""ed t$e Chainmailgame Wit$ t$at s"im book"et in $and one cou"d use

miniature figures to conduct medie*a" batt"es from swee%ing conf"icts in w$ic$ $uge

armies of stee"/c"ad men foug$t for $onor and booty to sma"" bands of $eroes stormingformidab"e cast"es to forces of e"*es taking u% t$eir bows against fearsome dragons

T$e Chainmailru"es were $ard"y t$e "ast word in $istorica" accuracy but t$ey were

easy to "earn and easy to %"ay T$ey a"so did a great 2ob of con*eying w$at it mig$t $a*ebeen "ike to see a medie*a" batt"e unfo"ding before you T$e Chainmailgame e*entua""y

ga*e rise to t$e first fantasy cam%aigns but a set of miniatures ru"es is not a ro"e/%"aying

game and it wasn)t "ong before t$e '&'( game and "ater t$e '&' game came a"ongto re%"ace it 1e*ert$e"ess t$e Chainmailru"es for tab"eto% combat remain at t$e root of

t$e '&' game

T$e '&' game is about more t$an combat but w$at fantasy ad*enture is com%"ete

wit$out at "east one %itc$ed batt"e w$ere t$e $eroes %re*ai" by t$e strengt$ of t$eir swordarms and t$e s$ar%ness of t$eir wits< T$e Combat & Tacticsbook is for anyone w$ose

$eart races as mine does5 at t$e t$oug$t of c"as$ing arms= not 2ust $ack )n s"as$ but

$eroic batt"es wit$ swir"ing action ringing stee" and e"dritc$ f"as$es of magic @ou won)t

find . %ages of tab"es te""ing you e+act"y w$ere a sword b"ow "ands in t$is book but youwi"" find %"enty of ways to make combat more t$an a dice/ro""ing contest or an e+ercise in

subtracting $it %oints from your c$aracter)s tota" !f a"ong t$e way you "earn to stay awayfrom fig$ts un"ess you)re sure your %arty can win t$em t$at)s e*en better

Aki% Wi""iams

1o*ember 899;

Tab"e of ContentsChapter One:

Player's OptionCombat System

'oes T$is 6e"ong in My Cam%aignuares it wi"" do


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Aome 'Ms and %"ayers may %refer batt"e ma%s marked wit$ $e+es instead of

s>uares -e+es $owe*er introduce certain incon*eniences to t$e ru"es t$at do not surface

wit$ a s>uare grid For e+am%"e can figures occu%y %artia" $e+es near wa""suare on t$e ma%

!n any fig$t facing is *ery im%ortant !t)s $ard to %unc$ someone standing be$ind

you un"ess you turn around ac$ figure or marker on t$e batt"e ma% s$ou"d $a*e anob*ious front facing For miniatures in strange %oses e*eryone s$ou"d agree before$and

w$at direction is t$e front of figure T$is figure faces t$e s>uare $is sword is %ointing

at is good enoug$

"" figures $a*e$ront! $lan#! and rears%aces T$e t$ree s%aces in front of a figure

are its front s%aces t$e two s%aces direct"y beside it are f"ank s%aces and t$e t$ree s%acesbe$ind it are rear s%aces Facings can be at t$e side of a s>uare or at t$e corner see

diagram51orma""y c$aracters can on"y attack enemies in t$eir front s%aces and gain attack

bonuses w$en t$ey attack an enemy)s f"ank or rear

T$ere are two situations w$ere more t$an one figure can occu%y a sing"e s>uare:gra%%"ed figures are bot$ in t$e defender)s s>uare and c$aracters in c"ose order see

C$a%ter Two5 can fit two figures to a sing"e s>uare !f t$ere is more t$an one figure in a

s>uare eac$ figure $as t$e same front f"ank and rear s%aces= no one is considered to be

in t$e "eft side of t$e s%ace or t$e back of t$e s%ace or w$ate*erTiny Aize T5 creatures can fit an un"imited number in one s>uare a"t$oug$ it

wou"d be unusua" for more t$an 8. to be in one s%ace un"ess t$ey were insect/sizedFigures t$at are sma""er t$an Man/sized Aize A5 norma""y occu%y one s>uareeac$ but if s%ace is tig$t t$ey)"" fig$t two to a s>uare wit$ no %ena"ty Ama"" creatures in

c"ose order can fit t$ree figures in a s>uare

Garge size G5 creatures norma""y occu%y one s%ace on t$e ma% T$ey can fig$t inc"ose order sim%"y by occu%ying ad2acent s%aces

-uge size -5 creatures occu%y two to four s%aces on t$e ma% de%ending on t$eir

size and s$a%e -umanoids suc$ as giants and ettins are two s>uares wide creating ane+tra front s%ace and an e+tra rear s%ace -orse/"ike or ser%entine creatures $a*e a

narrow front and a "ong body creating two e+tra f"ank s%aces 6"ock/"ike or massi*e

creatures occu%y a four/s%ace s>uare

4argantuan Aize 45 creatures occu%y at "east si+ s%aces T$ey can be e*en biggerif t$e 'M decides t$at t$e creature)s %ro%ortions are tru"y immense dragon wit$ a ;./

foot body cou"d take u% a b"ock of s%aces two wide and eig$t "ong0 4argantuan creatures

define front f"ank and rear s%aces so t$at roug$"y one/t$ird of t$e ad2acent s>uares fa""into eac$ category


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Aca"e!n norma" combat situations eac$ 8/inc$ s>uare on t$e ma% re%resents an area Kfeet s>uare T$is is referred to as me"ee sca"e Bnder certain s%ecia" circumstances eac$

8/inc$ s>uare can re%resent K yards T$is is known as missi"e sca"e

Me"ee Aca"eT$e me"ee sca"e is t$e defau"t sca"e for batt"es t$at take %"ace indoors inside dungeons indarkness or fog or at c"ose range s "ong as t$e combatants are a"" starting wit$in K. or

O. yards of eac$ ot$er most batt"e ma%s are big enoug$ to run in me"ee sca"e from t$e

start T$is wi"" sa*e you t$e troub"e of con*erting from missi"e sca"e to me"ee sca"e

during t$e batt"e see Missi"e Aca"e be"ow5!n me"ee sca"e remember t$at s%e"" and missi"e ranges are based on yards not

feet t$rown dagger norma""y $as a s$ort range of 8. yards or 3. feet !n me"ee sca"e

t$is is O s>uares on t$e batt"e ma% s%e"" wit$ a 3./yard range can be targeted 8Ns>uares away

?angeMost c$aracters and monsters can on"y make me"ee attacks against creatures standing in


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one of t$eir front s%aces -owe*er some wea%ons %ro*ide e+tra reac$ for c$aracters and

some monsters co*er a greater area because of size

Weapons

Many %o"earms are assigned a range muc$ "ike missi"e wea%ons %o"earm wit$ a range

of can strike enemies standing in t$e c$aracter)s front s>uare or any ad2acent s>uarebeyond t$e row of front s>uares

Aome wea%ons are defined as range onlywea%ons Dikes and "ances fa"" into t$is

category T$ese wea%ons can be used to make norma" attacks in t$e s>uares t$ey canreac$ but cannot be used against targets in between t$e wie"der and t$e wea%on)s %oint

Creatures wie"ding range or "arger wea%ons or natura" attack forms cannot make

me"ee attacks t$roug$ an occu%ied s>uare to anot$er s>uare un"ess as %art of a s%ear or

%ike $edge see C$a%ter Two5

Monsters

ny Garge creature armed wit$ a wea%on adds 8 to its range due to its great natura"

reac$ For e+am%"e an ogre wie"ding a s%ear norma""y range 85 $as a range of wit$ t$ewea%on ny -uge creature armed wit$ a wea%on adds to t$e wea%on)s range

4argantuan creature adds 3 to a wea%on)s range= a titan swinging a 8K/foot swordendangers an enemy >uite a ways off

Aome monsters may a"so $a*e natura" attacks t$at a""ow t$em to strike o%%onents

at ranges greater t$an 8

Missi"e Aca"eAome batt"es may o%en in missi"e sca"e w$ic$ is fi*eyardsto t$e s>uare T$e on"y

reason to set u% a batt"e in missi"e sca"e is w$en t$e two $osti"e forces try to engage eac$ot$er wit$ s%e""s or missi"es at ranges greater t$an K. yards or so 1atura""y t$is usua""y

$a%%ens in outdoor settings wit$ good *isibi"ity !f neit$er side $as any missi"e or s%e""ca%abi"ity t$ere is no reason to set u% t$e batt"e in missi"e sca"e Aa*e yourse"f t$e troub"eof con*erting and set it u% in me"ee sca"e from t$e start

%or eample! the heroes enco"nter a party o$ orcs hile climbing a highmo"ntain pass( The DM decides that the to gro"ps spot each other at a range o$ )**

yards! since there isn't m"ch cover( +othing happens "ntil the gro"ps close to ,-* yards!

since that is the maim"m range o$ the party's longbos( The DM tells the players that

they begin the battle in missile scale! ., s/"ares aay $rom the orcs(

!n missi"e sca"e c$aracters and monsters mo*e 8E3 as fast as norma" c$aracter

t$at cou"d norma""y mo*e 8 s>uares in a combat round can on"y mo*e four s%aces %erround in missi"e sca"e T$ere are nine me"ee s>uares in a sing"e missi"e s>uare so u% to

nine Man/sized creatures can occu%y a s>uare w$en missi"e sca"e is in effect

Aince a"" s%e"" and missi"e wea%on ranges are e+%ressed in yards it is easy tofigure ranges in missi"e sca"e target eig$t s>uares away is actua""y ;. yards distant

Awitc$ing Aca"eW$en two o%%osing creatures mo*e ad2acent to eac$ ot$er it)s time to switc$ t$e sca"e


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from missi"e to me"ee sca"e Ae"ect one figure as an anc$or and mo*e a"" t$e ot$er figures

t$ree times as far from t$e anc$or as t$ey were !n effect you)re zooming in on t$e batt"e

n easier but "ess accurate met$od of zooming in on t$e batt"e is to sim%"yannounce t$at you)re switc$ing sca"e and a""ow bot$ %"ayers and monsters to get a second

set/u% s "ong as e*eryone sticks by t$e s%irit of t$e set/u% 2ust eyeba"" it Make certain

t$at t$e o%%osing forces $a*e t$ree times as many s>uares between t$em as t$ey didbefore t$e sca"e was zoomed in

Combined Aca"e $andy way to kee% track of w$ere t$e %arty members are in re"ation to eac$ ot$er is to

$a*e t$em set u% t$eir marc$ing order in me"ee sca"e Aet u% t$e monster grou% in me"ee

sca"e in re"ation to eac$ ot$er 1ow assume t$at a"" t$e s%aces between t$e %arty and t$emonsters are missi"e s>uares Make sure you indicate w$ere t$e sca"e c$anges by setting

a %enci" or ru"er on t$e ma%

T$is combined sca"e met$od assures t$at monsters trying to c"ose under missi"e

fire $a*e to wit$stand t$e norma" amount of attacks before t$ey get c"ose enoug$ for

me"ee !t)s a"so usefu" for determing t$e areas of effect of any s%e""s cast at t$e o%%osinggrou% W$en any two o%%osing c$aracters come in contact switc$ t$e sca"e


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T$e Combat ?ound !n a standard '&' game rounds are assumed to be about oneminute "ong T$e combat system round "asts about 8. to 8K seconds during w$ic$ a

ty%ica" swordsman wi"" make about t$ree to si+ swings Most c$aracters and monsters can

on"y make one effecti*e attack in t$is time= t$e rest of t$e swings are feints %arries or2ust for s$ow

-ig$er/"e*e" c$aracters wit$ mu"ti%"e attacks are ab"e to make more of t$ese

swings count Darries are fo""owed u% wit$ ri%ostes Feints sudden"y become attacksw$en an o%ening %resents itse"f Wit$ time and %ractice a ski""fu" swordsman can make

e*ery swing of $is sword a %otentia""y "et$a" attack

Combat ?ounds and 4ame TimeCombat rounds replacet$e one/minute round in norma" '&' combat situations !f you

need to kee% count fi*e combat rounds e>ua" one norma" round and K. e>ua" a fu"" turnTo make t$ings easy t$e 'M can ru"e t$at a batt"e regard"ess of its actua" "engt$

takes one turn C$aracters tend to s%end se*era" minutes c$ecking on fa""en enemies

sur*eying t$eir own in2uries and making sure t$at t$e enemy $as abandoned t$e fie"d


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before dro%%ing t$eir guard Bn"ess time is an issue t$is is reasonab"e

A%e"" 'urations"" s%e""s wit$ durations e+%ressed in rounds "ast for t$e e+act same number of combat

rounds A%e""s wit$ durations measured in turns "ast for t$e entire batt"e !f a s%e""

measured in rounds is in t$e midd"e of its duration w$en t$e fig$ting begins t$e ba"anceof its duration runs in combat rounds

%or eample! a )th0level mage casts a haste spell that lasts three ro"nds! pl"s onero"nd per level! $or a total o$ eight ro"nds( 1n the $i$th ro"nd! the party gets into a $ight(

The haste spell lasts $o"r combat ro"nds be$ore epiring(

*eryt$ing e"se about t$e s%e"" sti"" functions on a round/by/round basis as it did before

c"eric casting heat metal sti"" inf"icts d; %oints of searing damage in t$e t$ird fourt$

and fift$ combat rounds wizard wit$ a$eather $all s%e"" sti"" fa""s at a rate of 8. feet

%er combat round ?emember t$is is an abstract system= a%%"ying %$ysics %ro%erties to

e*ery situation suc$ as t$e fact t$at t$e wizard wit$$eather $all is now %"ummeting to t$eground at a $asty ON m%$ rat$er t$an t$e standard 8; m%$5 may re*ea" "ots of facts but

it won)t make for a better game

Combat Atatus ny figure in*o"*ed in combat fa""s into one of t$ree categories: clear!threatened! orgrappled T$is re%resents t$e immediacy of an enemy t$reat and inf"uencesw$at actions t$e c$aracter can c$oose for t$at combat round c$aracter)s o%tions are

e+treme"y "imited w$en $e is caug$t in an ow"bear)s $ug

!n addition to go*erning t$e c$aracter)s c$oice of combat actions for t$e roundt$reatening is a"so im%ortant because it determines w$o is sub2ect to w$at are known as

attac#s o$ opport"nity see be"ow5

C"earC$aracters w$o are standing free of t$e me"ee and aren)t endangered by any ad2acent

monsters are considered c"ear T$e c$aracter can sti"" be attacked by missi"e fire

c$arged or $a*e a s%e"" t$rown at $im of course5 s "ong as a c$aracter is not in t$et$reatened s%aces of any enemy figure $e is c"ear T$e c$aracter)s c$oice of combat

action is unrestricted

C$aracters w$o are c"ear are a""owed to turn to t$reaten a figure t$at mo*es u% tot$em in t$e course of a combat round T$e c$aracter doesn)t $a*e to do t$is= $e can ignore

t$e danger T$e c$aracter on"y gets t$is free facing c$ange once %er round so $e can

e"ect to t$reaten t$e first figure t$at mo*es u% to $im or to wait u%on t$e arri*a" of a more

dangerous enemy

T$reatenedny s>uare t$at a creature can reac$ wit$ its wea%ons or c"aws a"so threatens t$oses>uares and t$erefore any c$aracters or creatures standing in one of t$e t$reatened

s>uares T$e c$aracter)s own facing doesn)t matter7it)s %ossib"e to be t$reatened by

someone standing be$ind youT$reatened c$aracters can c$oose to ignore t$e creature t$reatening t$em and take


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any combat action t$ey wis$ but if t$ey do t$e t$reatening creature gains an immediate

attack of o%%ortunity T$e fo""owing actions create an attack of o%%ortunity for t$e

t$reatening creature:

ttem%ting missi"e combat ot$er t$an at t$e t$reatening creature and on"y in t$e combat

round w$en it first t$reatens t$e c$aracter5Mo*ing away from t$e t$reatening creature T$is inc"udes mo*e c$arge and run but not

wit$draw

Turning so t$at t$e t$reatening creature is now in a rear s>uarettem%ting an unarmed attack against any foe e+ce%t an unarmed $uman/"ike creature

Monsters and c$aracters t$reaten a"" e"igib"e s>uares t$roug$out t$e entire round

!f a c$aracter tries to s%rint t$roug$ t$e t$reatened s>uares to get by t$e defender t$edefender gets an attack of o%%ortunity as t$e c$aracter runs by !f t$e creature being

attacked suffers from a successfu" knockdown ro"" or if a critica" $it from t$e attack of

o%%ortunity is suffered t$en it must sto% mo*ing ,t$erwise it may run by t$e creature

t$reatening it

!nusual Monsters and Threatenin

T$ere are a number of creatures t$at do not $a*e a c"ear front facing W$o can te"" w$at

t$e dangerous end of an oc$re 2e""y or otyug$ is< T$ese amor%$ous monsters don)t $a*e

rear or f"ank s%aces and t$erefore t$reaten any c$aracter w$o mo*es ne+t to t$em


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4ra%%"ed4ra%%"ed c$aracters are %$ysica""y restrained by t$eir foes T$ere are a number of ways togra%%"e wit$ an o%%onent= wrest"ing martia" $o"ds %inning and grabbing are a"" %ossib"e

!n addition some monsters $a*e s%ecia" attacks t$at gra%%"e t$eir *ictims For e+am%"e a

giant scor%ion can %in its %rey in its c"aws or an ow"bear can $ug a *ictim4ra%%"ed creatures must get free before t$ey can mo*e T$e on"y combat actions a

gra%%"ed creature can take are:

?es%ond wit$ unarmed combat

ttack t$e gra%%"ing creature wit$ a size A wea%on

ttem%t to esca%e ac$ gra%%"ing met$od defines a means of esca%e

4ra%%"ing creatures occu%y t$e same s>uare on t$e batt"e ma% un"ess t$ere is

somet$ing unusua" about t$e monster doing t$e gra%%"ing For e+am%"e a ro%er can

gra%%"e c$aracters u% to 8. s>uares away wit$ its s%ecia" tentac"e attack

4ra%%"ing figures ne*er t$reaten ot$er s>uares

ttacks of ,%%ortunityttacks of o%%ortunity occur w$en a t$reatened c$aracter or creature ignores t$e enemy

ne+t to it or turns its back on a foe T$e t$reatening enemy gets to make an immediate

me"ee attack or se>uence of attacks for monsters wit$ mu"ti%"e attacks5 against t$et$reatened creature ttacks of o%%ortunity cannot be %erformed wit$ missi"e wea%ons

T$is is a free attack t$at does not take t$e %"ace of any actions t$e t$reatening creature

$ad a"ready %"anned creature can)t make more t$an one attack of o%%ortunity against a sing"e

o%%onent in t$e course of a combat round but if se*era" enemies "ea*e t$emse"*es o%en

t$e creature can make one free attack against eac$ oneT$ere is a "imit to t$e number of attacks of o%%ortunity a sing"e creature may

make in one round Warriors and monsters can make t$ree attacks of o%%ortunity %"us one

%er fi*e "e*e"s or -it 'ice "" ot$er c$aracters can make one attack of o%%ortunity %"us

one %er fi*e "e*e"s T$irty kobo"ds trying to swarm %ast a fig$ter in a narrow %assage wi""take "osses but some wi"" sti"" get t$roug$

Aur%rised c$aracters and monsters cannot make attacks of o%%ortunity during t$e

round in w$ic$ t$ey are sur%rised

Mo*ement ,b*ious"y mo*ement is an im%ortant %art of a fig$t !f a c$aracter iswie"ding a sword $e can)t $urt anyone wit$ it un"ess $e gets *ery c"ose to t$em T$e

more time a c$aracter s%ends mo*ing t$e "ess $e is ab"e to do w$en $e gets t$ere!n t$e standard '&' game e*ery c$aracter and monster $as a base mo*ement

rate AincePlayer's Optioncombat rounds are s$orter t$an '&' rounds eac$ %oint of

t$at base mo*ement rate a""ows a DC 1DC or creature to mo*e one s>uare %er combatround in me"ee sca"e $uman fig$ter wit$ a mo*ement rate of 8 can mo*e 8 s>uares

or O. feet in one combat round !f a c$aracter mo*es diagona""y it costs 3 mo*ement

%oints for eac$ s>uares rounded u% !f a c$aracter mo*es t$ree s>uares diagona""y itcosts K mo*ement %oints: 3 for t$e first two s>uares and for t$e t$e t$ird s>uare


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?emember t$is is a conser*ati*e ad*ance Figures can e+ceed t$eir norma"

mo*ement rates by charging! r"nning! orsprinting see ttack ,%tions be"ow5 T$e

same $uman fig$ter s%rints 8N. feet in a combat round w$ic$ isn)t bad for an untrainedrunner wearing sturdy boots $ea*y c"ot$es and carrying a sword

C$aracters determine t$eir combat system mo*ement in t$ree ste%s:

'etermine t$e c$aracter)s base mo*ement rate from $is c$aracter race=

d2ust t$e base mo*ement rate for e+ce%tiona" abi"ity scores=

Modify t$e c$aracter)s mo*ement due to $is encumbrance

6ase Mo*ement*ery c$aracter and monster5 begins wit$ a base mo*ement determined by race Formonsters t$is information a%%ears in t$e a%ro%riateMonstro"s Man"al accessory

under Mo*ement For c$aracters t$e base mo*e *aries by race:

Character .ace Moement .ate

-uman 8

"f or -a"f/e"f 8'warf O

4nome O

-a"f"ing O

Bn"ess t$e 'M wants to generate abi"ity scores for e*ery 1DC in t$e game it)s

safe to assume t$at any generic member of t$e race $as t$e base mo*ement rate "isted-owe*er %"ayer c$aracters and e+ce%tiona" 1DCs may be ab"e to mo*e faster t$an

norma"

+ce%tiona" bi"ities

and Mo*ementC$aracters wit$ e+ce%tiona" Atrengt$ or 'e+terity scores can increase t$eir base

mo*ement rate beyond t$e norma" "imits of t$eir race Aimi"ar"y c$aracters wit$weaknesses in t$ese areas are s"ower t$an ot$ers of t$eir kind

Strenth

dd t$e c$aracter)s $it %robabi"ity ad2ustment to $er base mo*ement rate !f you are a"so

%"aying wit$ t$e 2#ills & Poers ru"ebook add t$e $it %robabi"ity ad2ustment based on

t$e c$aracter)s Atrengt$EAtamina not Atrengt$EMusc"e5 instead

)e"terity

dd t$e c$aracter)s reaction ad2ustment to $is base mo*ement rate !f you are a"so %"ayingwit$ t$e 2#ills & Poersru"es use t$e ad2ustment for 'e+terityE6a"ance instead

%or eample! 3o$tos the 2i$t! a h"man $ighter! has a 2trength o$ -4 and a

Deterity o$ -5( His 2trength gives him a hit probability bon"s o$ 6-! and his Deterity


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gives him a reaction bon"s o$ 6-! too( His base movement rate! there$ore! is -,6-6-! or

-.(

ncumbrance*en t$e fastest s%rinter won)t mo*e so >uick"y w$en $e)s carrying 8;. %ounds of armor

wea%ons and ad*enturing gear c$aracter)s encumbrance fa""s into fi*e categories:none! light! moderate! heavy! andsevere ncumbrance is described in t$ePlayer's

Handboo#in C$a%ter O: Money and >ui%ment

To determine t$e c$aracter)s encumbrance category find $is Atrengt$ and read

across t$e tab"e T$e numbers on t$e tab"e are t$e break%oints for eac$ category c$aracter wit$ a Atrengt$ of 8; is not encumbered unti" $e $as KO %ounds of gear "ig$t"y

encumbered unti" $e $as NO %ounds of gear moderate"y encumbered unti" $e carries 88O

%ounds of gear and $ea*i"y encumbered u% to a "oad of 8;O %ounds

To ca"cu"ate a monster)s strengt$ for t$is %ur%ose add 38E %oints %er size

category rounded down5 to t$e monster)s base -it 'ice ignoring %"usses5 T$us an ogre$as a generic Atrengt$ score of 8N Garge creature is size category ; + 38E Q 8; %"us ;

-it 'ice Q 8N5

Character %ncumbrance Cateory

Strenth /t0 Mod0 #y0 Seere


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3 O N 8.

;LK 88 8; 8 .

OL 8 . 39 ;NL9 3O K8 OO N8

8.L88 ;8 K9 9

8L83 ;O . 9; 88N8;L8K KO NO 88O 8;O

8O 8 8.8 838 8O8

8 NO 8 8KN 89;8N 888 8K. 8N9 N

8NE.8 83O 8K 8; K3

8NEK8 8O8 .. 39 N

8NEO 8NO K O; 3.38NE98 3O K 38; 3K3

8NE.. 33O 3K ;8; ;K3

creature)s fina" mo*ement is figured by com%aring current encumbrance wit$natura" base mo*ement

Base %ncumbrance Cateory

Moe 'one /t0 Mod0 #y0 Seere

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

3 3 8 8

; ; 3 8 8

K K ; 3 8 8 O O ; 3 8

K ; 8

N N O ; 8 9 9 K 8

8. 8. K 3 8

88 88 N O 3 88 8 9 O 3 8

83 83 8. 3 8

8; 8; 88 ; 8

8K 8K 8 N ; 88O 8O 8 N ; 8

8 8 83 9 ; 8

8N 8N 8; 9 K 8

!n addition to affecting $ow far a c$aracter can mo*e in a combat round

encumbrance a"so affects $ow we"" a c$aracter can fig$t Moderate"y encumberedc$aracters suffer a L8 %ena"ty to attack ro""s -ea*i"y encumbered c$aracters suffer a L

attack %ena"ty and t$eir rmor C"ass suffers a R8 %ena"ty !f t$e c$aracter is se*ere"y

encumbered $e suffers a L; %ena"ty to a"" attacks and a R3 %ena"ty to $is rmor C"ass

Fatigue may tem%orari"y increase a c$aracter)s effecti*e encumbrance= see Fatigue for


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more information

Simplified %ncumbrance

!f t$e standard encumbrance ru"es aren)t wort$ t$e troub"e $ere)s an easier way to do it

Most of t$e weig$t a c$aracter carries is in armor and wea%ons To stream"ine t$ings

on"y use t$e c$aracter)s armor s$ie"d and "argest wea%on w$en figuring t$e tota" weig$tcarried T$is s"ig$t"y fa*ors DCs but it)s muc$ faster t$an tracking e*ery addition of

weig$t

!n C$a%ter Ae*en armor is rated wit$ a base encumbrance T$is is t$e ty%ica"encumbrance "e*e" of a $uman wearing t$at armor For e+am%"e %"ate mai" is rated as

moderate encumbrance wit$ a mo*ement of O for a ty%ica" $uman T$ese defau"t *a"ues

make it easy to eyeba"" 1DC mo*ement rates

!f you use t$e sim%"ified encumbrance ru"e make sure t$at it is not abused !f t$e'M fee"s t$at a DC is taking ad*antage of t$is ru"e for e+am%"e carrying dozens of

wea%ons or *ast amounts of ad*enturing gear5 $e can insist on using t$e more detai"ed

accounting of t$e norma" encumbrance ru"es

,%ening t$e 6att"e 1ow t$at you know w$at t$e ma% "ooks "ike $ow to $and"e "ong/and s$ort/range batt"es and $ow t$e figures interact on t$e ma% it)s time to discuss t$eset/u% and %resentation of a fig$t W$at effect does sur%rise $a*e< W$ere do terrain

features go< W$o sets u% t$eir figures w$ereuares

Iung"eEdense forest d8. s>uaresGig$t forest ;dO s>uares

AcrubEbrus$Ebus$ ;d8 s>uares

4rass"andEfie"d 8.dO s>uares

'ungeonEnig$t Gimit of *ision

1o co*er Gong missi"e range

1ote t$at dungeon or nig$t encounters refer to t$e *ision "imits of w$oe*er can

see t$e fart$est !f a %arty of $eroes e>ui%%ed wit$ "anterns can see 3. feet in a darkforest a $unting %arty of orcs t$at can see O. feet may try to o%en t$e batt"e wit$ a *o""ey

of arrow fire out of t$e darkness

!f a situation arises w$ere t$ere is no rea" co*er or t$e enemy)s a%%roac$ is

detected $undreds of yards away t$e encounter s$ou"d be set u% at t$e ma+imum range of

t$e "ongest/range missi"e wea%on in t$e fig$t !n t$is case it wi"" %robab"y be necessaryto begin t$e batt"e in missi"e sca"e and mo*e to me"ee sca"e w$en t$e grou%s c"ose

Aet/u%T$e "ast ste% before starting t$e fig$t is setting u% t$e batt"efie"d and t$e "ocation of t$e

combatants T$e 'M s$ou"d first arrange t$e batt"efie"d= if t$e fig$t is taking %"ace in aroom inside a dungeon t$e 'M notes t$e room)s size s$a%e and interesting contents

before %"acing any creatures in it C$a%ter T$ree describes batt"efie"ds of a"" kinds in

great detai"!f one side $as s%otted t$e ot$er wit$out being seen or $as sur%rised t$e ot$er

grou% t$ey can make t$eir o%%onents set u% first and t$en %"ace t$eir own combatants to

take ad*antage of t$e situation T$ey sti"" $a*e to obser*e t$e encounter distance dictatedby t$e 'M t$oug$5

!f neit$er side is sur%rised or if ot$er s%ecia" circumstances e+ist t$e 'M can

dictate t$e %ositions of a"" c$aracters and monsters at t$e beginning of t$e batt"e T$e DCs

s$ou"d be set u% in t$eir norma" marc$ing order wit$ any ad2ustments t$e 'M deemsa%%ro%riate Aomeone $ad to o%en t$e door to t$e guardroom after a"" T$e monsters are

%"aced by t$e 'M as s$e sees fit

!f t$e 'M knows somet$ing t$e %"ayers don)t t$ere)s no reason s$e can)t kee%some figures off t$e ma% unti" t$e %"ayers $a*e reason to s%ot t$em !f t$ere)s a giant

s%ider on t$e cei"ing and no one "ooks u% t$e 'M s$ou"d fee" free to s%ring a fiendis$

sur%rise w$en a c$aracter wa"ks under it

T$e Fi*e 6asic of *ery Combat ?ound Wit$ t$e e+ce%tion of two ski""ed fig$tersusing simi"ar wea%ons or sty"es combat is utter c$aos !t)s "udicrous to be"ie*e t$at any

set of game ru"es cou"d begin to a%%roac$ an accurate simu"ation of fig$ts t$at range frombarroom braw"s to fantastic due"s between arc$mages and dragons

-owe*er t$ere $as to be some way to reso"*e combat !n t$e Player's Option

combat system batt"es are di*ided into combat rounds and eac$ round is di*ided intofi*e basic ste%s T$ese ste%s are:


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Ate% ,ne: Monster ction 'etermination

Ate% Two: DC ction 'ec"arationAte% T$ree: !nitiati*e

Ate% Four: ?eso"ution of ctions

Ate% Fi*e: nd/of/?ound ?eso"ution

Ate% ,ne:

Monster ction 'etermination6efore t$e %"ayers announce w$at t$eir c$aracters are doing t$is round t$e 'M secret"y

decides w$at actions t$e monsters take ,nce t$e 'M decides w$at t$e monsters wi"" do

$e s$ou"d stick by it7$e)s on $is $onor not to switc$ actions after "earning t$e %"ayers)decisions fter a"" t$e monsters don)t know w$at t$e DCs are going to do before t$ey do

it !f necessary t$e 'M can make notes about monster actions to remind $imse"f of w$at

t$ey intend to do

4enera""y monsters and 1DCs $a*e t$e same actions a*ai"ab"e to t$em t$at t$e

%"ayer c$aracters do T$ey can c$arge attack or wit$draw 2ust "ike t$e DCs Monstersnorma""y c$oose t$e most ad*antageous and sensib"e actions for t$e situation ?efer to

C$a%ter 1ine: Monsters for more information

Ate% Two: D"ayer ction 'ec"arationfter t$e 'M $as decided w$at t$e monsters wi"" do eac$ %"ayer must announce $isc$aracter)s action for t$e combat round

Ate% T$ree: !nitiati*e!n t$is ste% a"" c$aracters in a fig$t determine w$en t$eir dec"ared actions actua""y take

%"ace T$ePlayer's Optioncombat system reso"*es actions in a series of initiati*e %$ases

wit$ t$e reso"ution time of different actions affected by wea%on c$oice creature size andot$er factors Aee !nitiati*e be"ow for more information on t$e initiati*e system

Ate% Four: ?eso"ution of ctionsT$e dec"ared actions of a"" c$aracters and monsters are reso"*ed using t$e initiati*e %$asesystem c$aracter can abort $is %"anned action and do somet$ing e"se but t$e new

action takes %"ace at t$e *ery end of t$e combat round

Ate% Fi*e: nd/of/?ound ?eso"utionfter a"" actions $a*e been reso"*ed t$ere are se*era" t$ings t$at need to be done before

t$e round ends T$e four %arts of t$is ste% are$atig"e! retreats! morale!andstat"s(Fatigue is a measure of t$e c$aracter)s endurance o*er a %ro"onged combat t t$e

end of eac$ round t$e c$aracter c$ecks to see if t$e combat $as "asted "ong enoug$ for

$im to become fatigued or e+$austed?etreats occur w$en a figure is forced to fa"" back by t$e %ress of t$e fig$t T$is

can $a*e t$e effect of breaking u% an enemy "ine or forcing t$e retreating c$aracter o*er a

c"iff into >uicksand and so on

T$e 'M makes mora"e c$ecks for t$e monsters if a%%ro%riate Most creatures


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don)t care to carry a "osing batt"e to t$eir own deat$s and wi"" try to break off t$e fig$t if

t$ings aren)t going t$eir way

Gast but not "east c$aracters w$o are suffering from s%e"" effects %oison ors%ecia" critica" $its suffer damage or fig$t off t$e effect T$e e+act %rocedure is

determined by t$e ty%e of condition t$e c$aracter is suffering from

!nitiati*e Timing is e*eryt$ing in combat 'oes a fig$ter try to get in a >uick b"owbefore $is enemy can react or does $e wait for a better o%ening< W$o gets to go first

w$en a barbarian warrior is trying to cut down a mage casting a s%e""< T$e initiati*estructure %resented $ere is designed to answer t$ose >uestions and %ro*ide your c$aracter

wit$ better a"ternati*es for combat

T$e !nitiati*e ?o""T$ePlayer's Option combat system reso"*es actions in fi*e action %$ases: very $ast! $ast!

average! slo! and very slo c$aracter)s action %$ase is determined by $is base

initiative modified by $is wea%on s%eed and t$e combat action $e se"ects for t$e round

Atriking at an o%%onent standing ne+t to you doesn)t take muc$ time at a"" but running$a"fway across t$e batt"efie"d in a "ong c$arge wi"" take a "itt"e more time

t t$e beginning of eac$ round of combat bot$ sides ro"" a d8. T$e side wit$ t$e"owest ro"" wins initiati*e !n eac$ action %$ase t$e side t$at $as won initiati*e attacks

and mo*es first !n any gi*en action %$ase for one side of a fig$t attacks and s%e""s occur

before mo*ement takes %"ace !n ot$er words if you and your com%anion bot$ take anaction in t$e a*erage %$ase your buddy gets to fire an arrow or cast a s%e"" down t$at

$a""way before you actua""y begin running down it5 !f t$ere are fast creatures on bot$

sides of t$e fig$t t$e fast creature t$at won initiati*e strikes before t$e fast creature t$at"ost initiati*e Fast creatures strike before a*erage creatures e*en if t$e a*erage creature)s

side won initiati*e

Aome initiati*e ro""s %ro*ide unusua" resu"ts: ro"" of 8 acce"erates t$e action %$ase of t$at side by one so a s"ow c$aracter gets to go

in t$e a*erage %$ase=

ro"" of 8. s"ows t$e action %$ase of t$at side by one ste%=

tie resu"ts in a critica" e*ent ?ero"" t$e initiati*e dice unti" one side or t$e ot$er winsand t$en consu"t t$e Critica" *ent Tab"e be"ow

6ase !nitiati*e creature)s base initiati*e is t$e time it begins to mo*e or makes an attack if it

attacks wit$out wea%ons Monsters t$at norma""y fig$t wit$ natura" wea%onry are sim%"y

assigned a base initiati*e determined by t$eir size and s%eed

Monster Size Base (nitiatie

Tiny or Ama"" Hery Fast

Man/Aized FastGarge *erage

-uge A"ow

4argantuan Hery A"ow


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!m%ro*e base initiati*e one grade for a mo*ement rate of 8N or better and reduce

base initiati*e one grade for a mo*ement rate of O or "ess "so moderate"y encumbered

c$aracters and monsters suffer a one/%$ase initiati*e %ena"ty $ea*i"y encumberedcreatures are s"owed by two %$ases and se*ere"y encumbered creatures suffer a t$ree/

%$ase initiati*e %ena"ty

1ote t$at most %"ayer c$aracters $a*e a base initiati*e of fast ?emember t$isdoesn)t take into account wea%on s%eeds or combat actions ?ecord t$e c$aracter)s base

initiati*e on t$e c$aracter s$eet7it)s used in eac$ and e*ery round of combat

Wea%on A%eedsC$aracters armed wit$ wea%ons modify t$eir base initiati*e wit$ t$eir eapon speed ""

wea%ons are assigned a s%eed rating of fast a*erage s"ow or *ery s"ow W$en t$ec$aracter makes an attack $is action %$ase is $is base initiati*e or wea%on s%eed

hichever is later fast $uman armed wit$ a two/$anded sword a s"ow wea%on attacks

in t$e s"ow %$ase of t$e round T$e base initiati*es of magica" wea%ons are modified as

fo""ows:

Maical Bonus Base (nitiatie Modifier

R8 noneR or R3 one %$ase

R; or more two %$ases

T$us a $uman wie"ding a to0handed sord 6,gains a one/%$ase modifier attacking in

t$e a*erage %$ase rat$er t$an t$e s"ow %$ase

Critica" *entsAtrange t$ings $a%%en in t$e fog of war Many batt"es $inge on a "ucky break or an

unforeseen com%"ication !n t$ePlayer's Optioncombat system t$is is ref"ected by t$ecritica" e*ent ro""

Critica" e*ents are %ro*ided to add co"or and e+citement to t$e me"ee T$ey create

o%enings or o%%ortunities t$at >uick/t$inking DCs can take ad*antage of T$ey a"so a""ow

t$e 'M to %resent a more acti*e and *isua" %ortraya" of t$e c$aracters in batt"eT$e 'M is free to ru"e t$at t$e critica" e*ent does not occur or e*en a"ter it to

ref"ect t$e e+act circumstances of t$e batt"e For e+am%"e if t$e batt"e is taking %"ace on a

mountainside beneat$ an o*er$ang of snow t$e 'M can decide t$at t$e critica" e*ent isan a*a"anc$e triggered by t$e fig$ting

s a genera" ru"e critica" e*ents s$ou"d not direct"y inf"ict damage to a c$aracter

or creature a"t$oug$ t$ey can force sa*ing t$row ro""s or abi"ity c$ecks to a*oid damage

Bse critica" e*ents to create c$aos and disorder on t$e batt"efie"d but a*oid fa*oring oneside or t$e ot$er

Critical %ent Table

d34 roll .esult

8L rmor Troub"e3L; 6att"efie"d 'amaged


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K 6att"efie"d A$ifts

O C"ose Suarters

!tem 'amagedN !tem 'ro%%ed

9L88 nock 'own

8 Gucky 6reak 83 Gucky ,%ening

8;L8K Mount Troub"e

8O ?einforcements8 ?etreat

8N A"i%

89L. Wea%on Troub"e

$rmor Trouble

random combatant $as troub"e wit$ $is armor ?o"" 8dO for t$e e+act %rob"em T$e

c$aracter can remedy t$e situation by s%ending one round standing sti"" and re%airing $is

armor

d5 roll .esult

8L -e"m "ost *ictim)s $ead is e+%osed

3LK A$ie"d "ost

O D"ate "ost R to C %"ate armor on"y5

Battlefield )amaed

Aomet$ing in or around t$e batt"efie"d gets broken !f t$e fig$t occurs indoors it mig$t be

a %iece of furniture a window or a keg of a"e

Battlefield Shifts

T$e tide of batt"e carries a"" figures 8dO s>uares in a random direction from t$eir current"ocation 1obody gains any attacks of o%%ortunity

Close 6uarters

Two enemies t$at t$reaten eac$ ot$er find t$emse"*es inside one anot$er)s reac$ and are

effecti*e"y gra%%"ed

(tem )amaed

random combatant $as somet$ing damaged by a wi"d swing C$oose anyt$ing e+ce%t a

wea%on and ro"" an item sa*ing t$row to see if it broke

(tem )ropped

s abo*e but t$e item is s%i""ed dro%%ed or cut free from t$e owner)s %erson

7noc- )own

random combatant engaged in me"ee is knocked to t$e ground by a co""ision wit$

someone near $im T$e nearest figure friend or foe5 must ro"" a successfu" sa*ing t$row

*s %ara"yzation or fa"" down ne+t to $im


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/uc-y Brea-

random combatant is fa*ored by fate and gains a R; bonus to $is rmor C"ass andsa*ing t$rows for t$is round on"y

/uc-y Openin random combatant sees $is c$ance -e gets a R; bonus to t$e attack ro"" against

w$ate*er enemy $e $ad %"anned to attack t$is round

Mount Trouble

random mounted combatant e+%eriences difficu"ty wit$ $is anima" ?o"" 8dO:

d5 roll .esult

8L3 Mount bo"ts !t s%rints for 8d8. rounds in a random direction or unti" t$e

rider ro""s a successfu" riding %roficiency c$eck

;LK Mount rears T$e rider must ro"" a successfu" riding %roficiency c$eck or

fa"" off t$e mountO Mount fa""s T$e t$rown rider must ro"" a successfu" sa*ing t$row *s

%ara"yzation or be stunned for 8dO rounds

.einforcements

""ies of t$e 'M)s c$oice s$ow u% for one side or t$e ot$er

.etreat

T$e %ress dri*es back a"" t$reatened figures of one side or t$e ot$er Aee ?etreats be"ow

Slip

random combatant s"i%s and fa""s s%ending t$e round on $is back

Weapon Trouble

random combatant e+%eriences difficu"ty wit$ $is wea%on ?o"" 8dO:

d5 roll .esult

8L Combatant disarmed un"ess a successfu" sa*ing t$row *s %ara"yzation is

ro""ed

3LK -ard %arry may break wea%on ?o"" a successfu" item sa*ing t$row *scrus$ing b"ow to a*oid

O !f t$e c$aracter ki""ed an o%%onent "ast round $is wea%on is stuck in t$e

foe)s body Take a round to %u"" it out

Combat ctions Combat actions are basic strategies t$at a c$aracter can fo""ow in around of combat 'oes rgat$ t$e 6ra*e stand $is ground and wait for t$e orcs to cometo $im or does $e c$arge ras$"y into t$e center of t$eir "ine< 'oes ?owan t$e Mage cast a

s%e"" or s%end $er round mo*ing to a better *antage %oint< @ou decide w$en you se"ect

your c$aracter)s combat action for t$at roundT$ere are se*era" factors in*o"*ed in c$oosing a combat action !t is dangerous to


33/278

do anyt$ing but attack or %arry w$en your c$aracter is t$reatened by an ad2acent

o%%onent !t)s downrig$t use"ess to dec"are a c$arge w$en your c$aracter is gra%%"ed by a

giant constrictor snakeD"ayer c$aracters $a*e t$e rig$t to c$oose any action t$ey "ike in combat as "ong

as t$ey meet t$e basic re>uirements for it !t makes no sense for a c$aracter wit$out

magica" items to announce t$at $e wi"" use one for $is combat action5 -owe*er once t$ere>uirements $a*e been met a"" o%tions are o%en T$e 'M s$ou"d not disa""ow a combat

action e+ce%t under t$e most e+treme circumstances 1o matter $ow foo"is$ or difficu"t

somet$ing may seem "et t$e DC try it if $e rea""y wants to ,f course t$e 'M can assigndifficu"ty modifiers if s$e deems it necessary5

T$e fo""owing c$oices are a*ai"ab"e as combat actions in t$ePlayer's Option

combat system:

$ttac-Fire Missiles .un

Cast a A%e"" 4uard A%rint

C$arge Mo*e Bse a Magica" !tem

Co*er Darry

ac$ of t$ese actions is e+%"ained in more detai" "ater in t$is section

Combat ctions and Mo*ement c$aracter)s c$oice of combat action go*erns $ow far $e can mo*e in a gi*en combatround For e+am%"e a wizard certain"y can)t mo*e a considerab"e distance %icking $is

way t$roug$ swinging wea%ons and une*en footing w$i"e attem%ting to cast a s%e""

w$ic$ re>uires great concentration and %recision Gikewise a warrior cannot safe"y

wit$draw from a fig$t mere"y by turning and wa"king away at norma" s%eed Certainkinds of actions natura""y %rec"ude mo*ement w$i"e ot$er c$oices are actua""y more

effecti*e w$en "arger distances are crossed Aome c$oices a""ow for a range of mo*mento%tionsT$e *arious combat actions fit into t$ree basic mo*ement categories T$ese

categories inc"ude no/mo*e actions $a"f/mo*e actions and fu""/mo*e actions Aome of

t$e combat actions "isted abo*e may fit into on"y one category w$i"e ot$ers may functionwit$ two or e*en a"" t$ree ty%es of mo*ement

'o8Moe $ctions

1o/mo*e actions are 2ust t$at7t$e c$aracter %erforms some sort of action during $er

%ro%er action %$ase w$et$er it is fig$ting an o%%onent or using a wand wit$out mo*ing

significant"y during t$e round *en if a c$aracter c$ooses any one of t$e no/mo*e

actions $owe*er s$e can sti"" ad2ust $er %osition during $er action %$ase A$e can mo*eone s>uare in any direction and c$oose any facing as a free ad2ustment to $er %osition !f

t$e c$aracter is t$reatened s$e can ad2ust $er %osition wit$out %ro*oking an attack of

o%%ortunity by making sure t$at $er ad2ustment does not take $er out of t$e enemy)s fronts>uares or turn $er back to $im 1o/mo*e actions inc"ude:

ttackCast a A%e""


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Co*er

FireET$row Missi"es norma" ?,F5

4uardDarry

Bnarmed Combat

Bse a Magica" !tem

#alf8Moe $ctions

-a"f/mo*e actions a""ow a c$aracter to mo*e u% to $a"f $is norma" mo*ement rate andsti"" %erform some ot$er action suc$ as attacking wit$ a wea%on or firing missi"es T$ere

are $owe*er "imits to w$at can be done or $ow far a c$aracter can mo*e and sti""

accom%"is$ t$ese actions -a"f/mo*e actions inc"ude:

ttack

C$arge

FireET$row Missi"es $a"f t$e norma" ?,F5

4uardBnarmed Combat

Wit$draw

Full8moe $ctions

Fu""/mo*e actions in*o"*e a c$aracter mo*ing $is fu"" norma" mo*ement rate or e*enmore in some cases5 before attem%ting ot$er actions Fu""/Mo*e actions inc"ude:

C$arge

Mo*e?un

A%rint

Mo*ement and !nitiati*eCom%are t$ese two actions: one c$aracter wit$ a readied bow decides to fire at an orc

c$ieftain ;. feet away and a second c$aracter wit$ a readied sword decides to run o*er tot$e orc and take a swing at $im W$ic$ action is reso"*ed first< ,b*ious"y t$e arc$er)s

attack wi"" arri*e before t$e swordsman gets $is swing Mo*ing takes time es%ecia""y in a

8.L8K second combat roundC$aracters don)t instantaneous"y b"ink across a batt"efie"d 2ust because it)s t$eir

turn to mo*e T$ey begin t$eir mo*e at one %oint in time and t$en finis$ mo*ing

sometime "ater c$aracter w$o begins $is mo*e w$en fast actions are reso"*ed may

finis$ $is mo*e w$i"e a*erage or s"ow actions are reso"*edMo*ement a"ways begins in a c$aracter)s base initiati*e %$ase and is %erformed in

$a"f/mo*e increments one %$ase at a time For a $a"f/mo*e action t$e tota" amount of

mo*ement takes %"ace in a sing"e %$ase For a fu""/mo*e action t$e c$aracter mo*es nomore t$an $a"f of $is tota" mo*ement in eac$ of two consecuti*e %$ases so a s%rinting

c$aracter is actua""y tra*e""ing 8K times $is fu"" norma" mo*ement in eac$ of $is two

mo*ement %$ases fter any mo*ement is com%"eted for t$e c$aracter t$e rest of t$ecombat action is reso"*ed 1ote t$at an action may be de"ayed by mo*ement but it wi""


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ne*er occur sooner t$an norma" because of mo*ement !n ot$er words if a fast c$aracter

wit$ a two/$anded sword a s"ow wea%on5 c$ooses to make a $a"f/mo*e and attack t$e

$a"f/mo*e occurs in t$e fast %$ase but t$e attack does not $a%%en unti" t$e s"ow %$aseun"ess t$e c$aracter was c$arging= see be"ow5

1ote t$at w$en se*era" a""ies c$aracters or creatures t$at a"" won or "ost initiati*e

toget$er5 are acting in t$e same %$ase c$aracters %erforming actions do so before t$eircom%anions begin to mo*e

%or eample! Boldo the sordsman intends to ta#e a hal$0move and attac# an orc!hile his companion! %letcher the boman! prepares to $ire an arro at it( 1$ Boldo's

hal$0move and %letcher's shot both occ"r in the same phase! the arro act"ally strea#s

toard the orc be$ore the sordsman l"nges $orard to close ith it(

"so note t$at t$e 8/s>uare ad2ustment of a no/mo*e action is considered simu"taneous

wit$ t$e action itse"f T$us t$e ad2ustment and t$e no/mo*e action a"" occur before any

norma" mo*ement is %erformed by a""ies w$o are e"igib"e to do so during t$e same %$ase

Combat Mo*ement on t$e 6att"e Ma%W$en a c$aracter actua""y mo*es across t$e batt"efie"d don)t %ick u% t$e figure and t$endro% it back down again se*era" s%aces away Trace t$e e+act %at$ t$e c$aracter is

fo""owing from s>uare to s>uare on t$e batt"e ma% c$aracter ne*er knows w$en t$ere is

a tra% $e may trigger or an in*isib"e enemy t$reatening %art of $is %"anned mo*eC$aracters can make any facing c$anges t$ey want wit$ no cost in mo*ement

%oints during t$eir mo*e ?emember too t$at c$aracters can make a sing"e facing c$ange

during an enemy)s mo*e if t$e enemy mo*es ad2acent to t$em

Mo*ing T$roug$ ,t$er Figures

in Combat c$aracter can mo*e t$roug$ a s>uare occu%ied by a friend"y figure as "ong as t$atfigure isn)t t$reatened or attacking in t$e current round nemies can on"y occu%y t$e

same s>uare if t$ey are gra%%"ed or if one is %rone ,t$erwise "arger creatures can

attem%t to make an o*errun

Oerruns

W$en a "arger creature attem%ts to mo*e into a sma""er standing enemy)s s>uare it isca""ed an o*errun Mounted figures use t$eir mount)s size for t$is %ur%ose so a $uman on

a size G $orse can o*errun a $uman on foot ,*erruns create an attack of o%%ortunity for

t$e figure being ste%%ed on fter t$e defender)s attack t$e defender must ro"" a

successfu" sa*ing t$row *s %ara"yzation or be knocked down *en if $e doessuccessfu""y sa*e $e is forced one s>uare away from $is current "ocation T$is sa*e is

modified by a L; %ena"ty for a creature two sizes "arger t$an t$e defender a LN %ena"ty

for a creature t$ree sizes "arger etc

%or eample! a hal$ling 7si8e 29 gets in an ogre's ay( :$ter the hal$ing's attac# o$

opport"nity! he m"st roll a s"ccess$"l saving thro vs( paraly8ation or be #noc#ed don(The ogre is to si8es larger! so the saving thro is rolled ith a ;. penalty(


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hal$ling s"ccess$"lly saves! he is $orced o"t o$ the s/"are(

W$en a defender is knocked down by an o*errunning creature $e may suffer atram%"ing attack T$e tram%"er gets an attack of o%%ortunity t$at inf"icts 8d; %oints of

damage %er difference in size *en t$oug$ t$e defender is %rone no modifiers a%%"y=

tram%"ing is an aftert$oug$t on t$e attacker)s %art T$e 'M can ad2ust t$e damage as $esees fit= *ery dense creatures suc$ as c"ay or stone go"ems may not be serious"y $urt by

e*en a giant)s tram%"e

Contin"ing o"r eample! the hal$ling $ails his saving thro and is #noc#ed $lat by

the ogre's r"sh( The ogre gets a $ree attac# o$ opport"nity and rolls a hit( 2ince there is a

to0category di$$erence in si8e beteen them! the hal$ling s"$$ers ,d. points o$ damage(

Being trampled by someone ten times yo"r eight can be lethal(

%rone creature wit$ an enemy in its s>uare may get u% by using a fu""/mo*e

action Aince two standing enemy figures cannot occu%y t$e same s>uare size a"ways

wins= t$e "arger of t$e two creatures dis%"aces t$e sma""er one !n addition t$e standingfigure a"ways c$ooses w$ic$ s>uare t$e dis%"aced figure enters !f t$e creatures are of t$e

same size an o%%osed Atrengt$ ro"" is made to determine w$o stays and w$o is dis%"aced

Concl"ding o"r eample! the hal$ling decides to rise again to avoid getting

trampled some more( 2ince the ogre is larger than the hal$ling! the hal$ling m"st be

displaced one s/"are in order to rise( 2ince the ogre is also the standing creat"re! itdecides hich s/"are the hal$ling is displaced to( 1$ the roles had been reversed! ith the

hal$ling in the s/"are o$ a prone ogre that ished to stand! the hal$ling o"ld still have to

be displaced! since it is smaller( Hoever! this time the hal$ing! hich is the standing$ig"re! chooses hich s/"are to be displaced to(

,f course t$e standing figure mig$t wis$ to kee% t$e ot$er figure from rising ort$e %rone figure mig$t decide to fig$t it out rat$er t$an try to rise !f one figure wis$es to

kee% anot$er figure %rone an o*erbearing attack is necessary but treat t$e situation as if

t$e attack ro"" to $it C 8. is automatica""y successfu" see ,*erbearing C$a%ter Fi*e5

C$oosing an ctionW$en it is time for a c$aracter to se"ect an action for t$e round t$e action is c$oseninde%endent"y wit$out se"ecting a mo*ement category before$and For e+am%"e if a

warrior c$ooses to attack t$ere is no need to dec"are w$et$er t$is is a no/mo*e attack or a

$a"f/mo*e and attack T$e %"ayer sim%"y announces t$at $is warrior intends to attack

T$is a""ows some f"e+ibi"ity in t$e system so t$at t$e ebb and f"ow of batt"e doesnot t$wart t$e c$aracters) actions eac$ round 6y waiting unti" a c$aracter)s action %$ase

occurs to determine $ow muc$ mo*ement is needed to %erform a c$osen action muc$ of

t$is %rob"em is e"iminatedAti"" t$ere are times w$en c$aracters may be %re*ented from com%"eting t$eir

action by a c$ange in t$eir situation s%e""caster may $a*e $is s%e"" interru%ted or a

f"eeing c$aracter may find $imse"f tra%%ed wit$ no %"ace to run W$en a c$aracter)saction is %re*ented by an enemy)s interference t$e action is "ost for t$e round and t$e


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c$aracter can take no ot$er action for t$at round

,n t$e ot$er $and c$aracters may sometimes start an action and t$en t$ink better

of it c$aracter may begin a c$arge and t$en %u"" u% s$ort w$en $e rea"izes $e is aboutto run into a $edge of %ikes or a c$aracter w$o $ad %"anned to fire a crossbow may

sudden"y recognize $is target as a %otentia" a""y

t t$at %oint a c$aracter can c$oose to eit$er $o"d or abort a combat action w$en$is action %$ase arises -o"ding an action sim%"y in*o"*es de"aying t$e intended action

for one or more action %$ases

%or eample! Tyar the Glorio"s ins initiative and declares that he ill attac#

7beca"se there is an orc in $ront o$ him9( Tyar o"ld normally per$orm his attac# on the

average phase! d"e to his long sord( Hoever! on the $ast phase Tillo the 2ly! Tyar's

thie$ly companion! s"ccess$"lly #ills the orc ith a bac#stabbing attac#( Tyar sees anogre that ill most li#ely advance d"ring the average phase! b"t only a$ter Tyar is

elligible to ta#e his attac# 7since Tyar on initiative9( Tyar decides to hold his attac# "ntil

the slo phase so that he can attac# the ogre a$ter it advances(

c$aracter may a"so c$oose to abort $is %"anned action in fa*or of anot$er T$ere

are some "imits to t$e new c$oice of actions and t$e c$aracter)s turn automatica""ybounces to immediate"y after t$e *ery s"ow %$ase of t$e combat round !t is treated "ike

an e+tra %$ase and is reso"*ed norma""y in a"" res%ects Aee t$e indi*idua" action c$oices

for more detai"s

T$e ctions6e"ow are "isted eac$ of t$e actions a*ai"ab"e to a c$aracter and $ow t$ey are reso"*ed

$ttac-

T$is is t$e basic action for c$aracters and monsters in a fig$t W$en a c$aracter c$oosesto attack $e makes $is norma" $and/$e"d wea%on attacks C$aracters and creatures canmake a $a"f/mo*e and attack or t$ey can stand t$eir ground and attack as a no/mo*e

action

Monsters wit$ mu"ti%"e attacks %erform a"" t$eir attacks on t$e same %$ase !f adragon attacks wit$ a*erage s%eed its bite c"aws tai" and wing buffets a"" take %"ace in

t$e a*erage %$ase of t$e combat round C$aracters using a wea%on in eac$ $and strike in

t$e same fas$ion during t$e action %$ase of t$e s"ower wea%onC$aracters w$o $a*e mu"ti%"e attacks wit$ t$e same wea%on suc$ as $ig$/"e*e"

fig$ters or wea%on s%ecia"ists5 make t$eir first attack norma""y and t$en make one attack

eac$ %$ase t$ereafter unti" t$ey)*e reso"*ed a"" of t$eir mu"ti%"e attacks "ong sword

s%ecia"ist wit$ two attacks in a round makes $is first attack in t$e a*erage %$ase and $issecond in t$e s"ow %$ase of t$e round

1orma""y a c$aracter can combine a mo*e and an attack on"y by mo*ing first and

reso"*ing attacks "ater -owe*er a c$aracter can c$oose to attack first and t$en make a$a"f/mo*e at t$e end of t$e round 1ote t$at c$aracters can ad2ust t$eir %osition eac$ time

t$ey attack so a $ero wit$ mu"ti%"e attacks cou"d attack se*era" creatures standing a%art

from eac$ ot$erttacks of o%%ortunity see T$reatening5 do not count as a c$aracter)s attack for


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t$e round !t is %ossib"e for a creature to get more attacks t$an norma" if its o%%onent

%ro*ides it wit$ an o%ening for an attack of o%%ortunity

C$aracters and monsters may c$oose a number of attack o%tions suc$ as grab!bloc#! trap! or disarm T$e fig$ter mig$t use $is bi""/$ook to %u"" a mounted o%%onent off

$is $orse or $e mig$t try to tri% t$e anima" -e cou"d e*en go on t$e defensi*e and try to

b"ock $is enemy)s b"ow ?efer to ttack ,%tions in C$a%ter Two for more informationabout t$e *arious a"ternati*es

Cast a A%e""Wizards and %riests may c$oose to cast s%e""s during combat "" s%e""s are assigned an

action %$ase 2ust as wea%ons are T$e c$aracter is considered to begin casting in t$e *ery

fast %$ase and to finis$ in t$e s%e"")s action %$ase !f t$e s%e""caster is in2ured by an attackduring t$e casting t$e s%e"" is "ost

A%e""s and s%e""/"ike abi"ities are assigned action %$ases based on t$eir casting

times:

Castin Time *hase8L3 Fast

;LO *erageL9 A"ow

8 round or more Hery A"ow

W$en a c$aracter casts a s%e"" s$e "oses any 'e+terity benefit to $er rmor C"ass

since s$e must $o"d sti"" and concentrate to make t$e s%e"" work fter t$e s%e"" $as been

cast t$e mage or %riest may a%%"y $er 'e+terity bonus to $er rmor C"ass again !f t$e

s%e""caster doesn)t cast a *ery s"ow s%e"" s$e can take a $a"f/mo*e at t$e end of t$eround

Dsionic %owers take effect during a random"y determined %$ase regard"ess of t$e%sionic creature)s regu"ar 6ase D$ase

.andom *sionic (nitiatie

d94 roll Base *hase

8/ Hery Fast

3/; Fast

K/O *erage/N A"ow

9/8. Hery A"ow

dd t$e %ower)s Dre%aration Time to t$is ro""

Chare

C$aracters and monsters can c$arge to ra%id"y c"ose for combat and make an attackC$arging is a fu""/mo*e action but a c$arging c$aracter may mo*e 88E times $is base

mo*ement w$en $e c$arges knig$t wit$ a mo*ement of O can c$arge an enemy u% to 9

s%aces awayC$aracters begin t$eir c$arge on t$eir base initiati*e mo*ing u% to one/$a"f t$e


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distance of t$e c$arge !n t$e fo""owing %$ase t$ey mo*e t$e remainder of t$e distance

Bn"ike most attack forms t$e c$arge attack is reso"*ed t$e moment t$e attacker arri*es !f

t$e knig$t abo*e $as a base initiati*e of fast and an o%%onent is standing s>uares awayt$e knig$t mo*es K s%aces in t$e fast %$ase and more in t$e a*erage %$ase at w$ic$

%oint $e attacks immediate"y

C$arging w$ic$ mig$t more accurate"y be ca""ed t$e reck"ess attack5 gi*esc$aracters se*era" ad*antages but a"so im%oses some %ena"ties T$e c$arging c$aracter

gains a R bonus on $is attack ro"" Aome wea%ons suc$ as "ances are suited for c$arging

and inf"ict doub"e damage w$en used in a c$arge6ecause t$ey are so intent on t$e attack $owe*er c$arging c$aracters are at a

disad*antage defensi*e"y T$ey "ose a"" 'e+terity bonuses to rmor C"ass and suffer a R8

%ena"ty to C in addition to t$at 4uarding c$aracters wit$ wea%ons "onger t$an t$e

c$arger)s automatica""y strike first !n addition c$aracters can set s%ears see 4uard5against c$arges

Coer

c$aracter wit$ a cocked and "oaded crossbow or an arrow nocked and drawn in a bowcan announce t$at $e is co*ering an o%%onent wit$in $is wea%on)s s$ort range T$e

co*ering c$aracter can on"y c$oose to co*er a sing"e s>uare on t$e board as "ong as t$ats>uare is wit$in t$e wea%on)s s$ort range and in sig$t ,n"y c$aracters wit$ a wea%on

%roficiency s"ot in bow or crossbow can co*er someone in t$is manner Co*ering

situations usua""y are created by t$e circumstances of t$e initia" encounter= for e+am%"ean arc$er may sur%rise $is enemy co*er $im and order $im to dro% $is wea%on

C$aracters can a"so dec"are a combat action to co*er someone

Aince t$e arrow or bo"t is ready to be fired t$e co*ering c$aracter)s first s$ot is

fast or *ery fast if t$e c$aracter is a s%ecia"ist5 Aee 6ows and Crossbows in C$a%terAe*en T$e co*ering c$aracter automatica""y wins initiati*e against t$e co*ered target !t

is %ossib"e for a *ery fast creature to beat out t$e s$ot of a %roficient arc$er but e*en *ery

fast creatures can be co*ered by a s%ecia"istT$e c$aracter can $o"d $is co*er unti" "ater in t$e round if $e wants to see w$at

$is target is going to do -e can fire first in any "ater %$ase fter t$e first s$ot $as been

"oosed t$e co*ering c$aracter can %erform t$e rest of $is missi"e fire at t$e regu"ar action%$ase and rate of fire

T$e co*ering s$ot itse"f is made wit$ a R bonus to t$e attack ro"" Co*ering is

$andy for freezing o%%onents in t$eir tracks since e*erybody knows $ow >uick"y an

arrow or bo"t can be re"eased once it is drawnCo*ering can a"so be used wit$ any $and/$e"d b"aded wea%on7basica""y t$e

c$aracter %uts $er sword to an o%%onent)s t$roat in a sing"e ad2acent s>uare and menaces

$im T$e *ictim must be stunned dazed %inned unconscious or sur%rised for a c$aracterto co*er $im wit$ a me"ee wea%on s wit$ bows and crossbows t$e co*ering c$aracter

automatica""y wins initiati*e against $er target and can attack in t$e fast %$ase or in t$e

*ery fast %$ase if s$e is a s%ecia"ist T$e attack is made wit$ a R bonus to $it and t$ecritica" number see Critica" -its in C$a%ter Ai+5 dro%s to a 8O

Fire;Throw Missiles

Firing missi"es and t$rowing $and/$e"d wea%ons inc"uding s%"as$ing $o"y water or oi"5 is


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anot$er basic action t$at is *ery common in combat T$e c$aracter can stand sti"" and

attack at $is fu"" rate of fire or $e can make a $a"f/mo*e and fire or t$row missi"es at 8E

$is norma" rateT$e one e+ce%tion to t$is mo*e/and/fire routine is for missi"e wea%ons t$at $a*e a

rate of fire "ess t$an 8Eround t$is inc"udes "arge crossbows and most firearms5 !n t$is

case t$e c$aracter wie"ding suc$ a wea%on can mo*e $a"f $is norma" rate and sti"" fire t$ewea%on only on the initial discharge o$ the eapon T$e wea%on is assumed to be "oaded

and cocked fter t$is first s$ot t$e c$aracter can on"y fire t$e wea%on as a no/mo*e

actionFiring or t$rowing missi"es is dangerous w$en a c$aracter is t$reatened by anot$er

creature since it creates an attack of o%%ortunity T$e on"y e+ce%tion to t$is ru"e is during

t$e same combat round t$at t$e t$reatening creature actua""y mo*es u% to t$reaten t$e

c$aracter T$e c$aracter can get $is s$ots in w$i"e $is enemy c"oses but after t$at $e $adbetter switc$ to a me"ee wea%on

C$aracters wit$ mu"ti%"e missi"e attacks in t$e same combat round %erform t$eir

first attack on t$e norma" action %$ase and t$en fo""ow wit$ one missi"e %er %$ase unti"

t$ey)*e com%"eted t$eir fu"" rate of fire For e+am%"e a dart s%ecia"ist $as 3 attacks %erround wit$ $is darts a fast wea%on -e t$erefore t$rows $is first dart in t$e fast %$ase t$e

second in t$e a*erage %$ase and t$e t$ird in t$e s"ow %$aseAome monsters suc$ as manticores may $a*e mu"ti%"e missi"es t$at are fired

simu"taneous"y T$ese attacks are a"" reso"*ed in t$e same %$ase

,uard

W$en a c$aracter guards s$e waits for $er o%%onents to come to $er 4uarding is a $a"f/

mo*e action or a no/mo*e action if t$e c$aracter stands $er ground guarding c$aracter

strikes t$e moment an attacker mo*es into t$e guarding c$aracter)s t$reatening s>uaresregard"ess of $er actua" initiati*e and action %$ase T$e on"y way an enemy can attack a

guarding c$aracter first is wit$ a "onger/ranged wea%on

!f a guarding c$aracter is attacked by a c$arging c$aracter t$e c$aracter t$at woninitiati*e attacks first un"ess one of t$e c$aracters $as a "onger/ranged wea%on t$an t$e

ot$er5 !f bot$ t$e c$arging and guarding c$aracters $a*e wea%ons of e>ua" range t$en

t$e c$aracter wit$ t$e "arger wea%on strikes first 4uarding c$aracters are considered tobeset $or charge and s%ears and s%ear/"ike %o"earms inf"ict doub"e damage against

c$arging creatures see C$a%ter Ae*en5

%or eample! :eren loses initiative and is armed ith a long sord! normally aeapon o$ average speed( : very $ast si8e M creat"re ta#es a hal$0move to attac# her ith

clas in the $ast phase! b"t since :eren is g"arding! she attac#s $irst( 1$ the very $ast

creat"re ere charging! it o"ld attac# $irst since it on initiative $or the ro"nd( 1$:eren had a long spear 7range ,9! she o"ld get the $irst blo despite the creat"re's

charge(

!f no one attacks a guarding c$aracter s$e can abort to an attack at t$e end of t$e

round and take a $a"f/mo*e to reac$ someone

Moe


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Mo*ing a""ows a c$aracter to co*er a "ot of ground wit$out dro%%ing $is defenses

Mo*ing is norma""y a fu""/mo*e action but if a c$aracter on"y mo*es $a"f $is ma+imum

mo*e or "ess $e can consider it a $a"f/mo*e action insteadMo*ement norma""y begins on a c$aracter)s base initiati*e wit$out modifiers for

wea%on s%eed ac$ $a"f/mo*e a c$aracter makes re>uires one %$ase so a fast c$aracter

does $a"f $is mo*e in t$e fast %$ase and finis$es $is mo*e in t$e a*erage %$ase

*arry

Aometimes t$e best t$ing to do is take co*er and try not to get c"obbered ny c$aractercan c$oose to %arry as a combat action Darrying is a no/mo*e action t$at is in effect for

t$e entire combat round !f a c$aracter %arries $e cannot mo*e attack or cast s%e""s

Darrying reduces a nonwarrior c$aracter)s rmor C"ass by one/$a"f $is "e*e"

Ot$/"e*e" wizard wit$ an C of K w$o %arries reduces $is C to Warriors w$o c$ooseto %arry reduce t$eir C by one/$a"f t$eir "e*e" %"us one Ot$/"e*e" fig$ter gets an C

bonus of ; by %arrying

.un c$aracter can doub"e $is base mo*ement by running ?unning is considered a fu""/

mo*e action= t$e c$aracter can)t do anyt$ing e"se in t$e same combat round t$at $e runs?unning on a batt"efie"d is dangerous= t$e c$aracter "oses a"" 'e+terity bonuses to $is

rmor C"ass and suffers a R8 C %ena"ty on to% of t$at !n addition $e is considered to

be c$arging if $e runs into a s>uare t$reatened by an o%%onent wit$ a set s%earC$aracters can maintain a run as "ong as t$ey $a*e t$e necessary fatigue %oints

see Fatigue be"ow5 ,utside of combat t$ey can run for a number of rounds e>ua" to

t$eir Constitution score fter t$at t$ey must sto% and rest Aee Iogging and ?unning in

t$ePlayer's Handboo#under C$a%ter 8;: Time and Mo*ement for more information

Sprint

c$aracter can tri%"e $is base mo*ement by s%rinting Gike running s%rinting is a fu""/mo*e action t$at dro%s t$e c$aracter)s defenses for t$e round

!narmed Combat

ny c$aracter may c$oose to make an unarmed attack instead of attacking wit$ $is

wea%ons T$ere are four basic ty%es of unarmed combat: %unc$ing wrest"ing

o*erbearing and martia" arts ?efer to C$a%ter Fi*e for more information on reso"*ing

unarmed attacks c$aracter can %erform an unarmed attack on $is base initiati*e if $e doesn)t $a*e

to mo*e to reac$ $is target or $e can take a $a"f/mo*e action to c"ose for combat

ttacking armed o%%onents inc"uding monsters wit$ natura" attacks5 is dangerous for anunarmed fig$ter= if t$e c$aracter attacks an armed creature t$at is t$reatening $im $e

suffers an immediate attack of o%%ortunity from $is intended *ictim T$e armed defender

gains a R; bonus on $is attack ro"" and $is damage ro"" against an unarmed attackerMonsters wit$ natura" wea%onry a"most ne*er make unarmed attacks -owe*er it

is %ossib"e for inte""igent creatures to %u"" in t$eir c"aws and try to batter a c$aracter

into unconsciousness Monsters wit$out natura" attacks may resort to unarmed combat if

t$ey are disarmed or want to ca%ture t$eir enemy


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!se $ Maical (tem

4enera""y a c$aracter can use a magica" item as a fast action or make a $a"f/mo*e anduse an item as an a*erage action Aome magica" items take more or "ess time as noted

be"ow:

(tem *hase

Dotion *erage

Acro"" Hery A"ow?od Ataff or Wand Fast

Misce""aneous Magica" !tem *erage

For most magica" items wit$ functions t$at do not emu"ate combat or s%e""casting

actions t$e magic of t$e item is acti*ated during t$e reso"ution ste% at t$e end of t$e

round !n a few cases w$ere %owers take an unusua" amount of time to acti*ate t$e 'M

is t$e fina" arbiter !f an item combines wea%on/"ike c$aracteristics and misce""aneous

magic suc$ as a rod of "ord"y mig$t it s$ou"d be treated as a wea%on w$en being used to

attack and as a magica" item w$en its ot$er functions are being used

Withdraw

Wit$drawing is t$e on"y safe way to "ea*e a s>uare t$at is t$reatened by an o%%onentW$en a c$aracter wit$draws $e backs carefu""y away from $is o%%onent wit$out turning

$is back or creating an attack of o%%ortunity for $is o%%onent

Wit$drawing is a $a"f/mo*e t$at takes %"ace on t$e c$aracter)s base initiati*e wit$drawing c$aracter cannot attack or cast s%e""s a"t$oug$ $e can sti"" get attacks of

o%%ortunity

nding t$e Combat ?ound fter a"" t$e combat actions $a*e been reso"*ed it istime to finis$ u% t$e round and get ready for t$e ne+t one T$e end of t$e round is a time

to take care of any "oose ends or bookkee%ing t$at needs to be "ooked after T$e four

ma2or items t$at are addressed at t$e end of t$e round are retreats! $atig"e!morale!andstat"s(

?etreatsW$en one c$aracter inf"icts me"ee damage but not as a resu"t of missi"e combat5 on an

enemy wit$out being $it in return s$e may force $er foe to retreat dri*ing $im back wit$

we""/aimed b"ows T$e attacker doesn)t $a*e to force $er enemy back= s$e can decide to

"et $im stand fast and not %ress t$e ad*antage defender can ignore t$e re>uirement toretreat if $e is ; or more "e*e"sE-it 'ice $ig$er t$an t$e attacker or if $e is two sizes

"arger t$an t$e attacker retreat cannot occur if t$e enemy was knocked down during t$e

roundW$en a c$aracter retreats $e must mo*e backward into one of $is rear s%aces

c$osen by t$e attacker !f t$ere is no %"ace to retreat direct"y be$ind $im t$e attacker

must c$oose one of t$e retreating c$aracter)s f"ank s%aces !f t$e c$aracter is unab"e toretreat into any rear or f"ank s%ace $e must ro"" a successfu" sa*ing t$row *s


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%ara"yzation or be knocked down in t$e s%ace $e is in !n some s%ecia" situations t$e 'M

may a""ow a retreating c$aracter a c$ance to a*oid being forced back T$is a""ows a

c$aracter wit$ $is back to a c"iff for e+am%"e5 to a*oid gi*ing groundT$e creature w$o forces a retreat may fo""ow $er retreating enemy kee%ing $er

foe in a t$reatened s>uare T$e attacker can instead c$oose to back $er enemy off and

t$en $o"d $er own %osition?etreats are good for breaking u% enemy batt"e/"ines or for maneu*ering an

enemy into a batt"efie"d $azard ?etreats can a"so be used to disengage from a t$reatening

creature by dri*ing it back ?etreats don)t create attacks of o%%ortunity for t$e creatureforcing t$e retreat= t$is is t$e end of t$e combat round and e*eryone is finis$ed attacking

for t$e round -owe*er t$e retreating creature may $a*e been %us$ed into a situation

w$ere $is rear or f"ank is e+%osed to an enemy during t$e ne+t round of combat

FatigueFig$ting a %ro"onged batt"e can be e+$austing ,n"y t$e most $eroic c$aracters can stand

fast against wa*e after wa*e of foes wit$out tiring T$e *arious c$aracter c"asses gain a

number of fatigue %oints e>ua" to t$eir base -it 'ie *a"ue !n ot$er words a warrior $as8. fatigue %oints a t$ief O etc Warriors gain one additiona" fatigue %oint eac$ time t$ey

gain a "e*e"= nonwarriors gain one fatigue %oint e*ery two "e*e"s T$is *a"ue is modifiedby t$e $it/%oint bonus or %ena"ty for Constitution

For monsters fatigue %oints are e>ua" to N since monsters use a dN for t$eir -it

'ice5 %"us t$e number of -it 'ice rounded down T$us an ogre ;R8 -it 'ice5 $as 8fatigue %oints

7eepin Trac- of Fatiue

C$aracters and monsters start off in a fres$ state !n e*ery %$ase t$at a c$aracter ormonster mo*es or attacks c$eck off one fatigue %oint W$en t$e tota" reac$es . t$e

c$aracter or creature is fatigued ?eset t$e fatigue score back to its origina" *a"ue andc$eck off two %oints in e*ery %$ase t$at mo*ement or combat takes %"ace W$en t$escore reac$es . again t$e creature is e+$austed

%ffects of Fatiue

C$aracters and monsters w$o are fatigued mo*e and fig$t as if t$ey were encumbered

one category more t$an t$ey rea""y are For e+am%"e c$aracter w$o was moderate"y

encumbered becomes $ea*i"y encumbered w$en $e is fatigued+$austed c$aracters mo*e and fig$t as if t$ey were encumbered two categories

more t$an norma" n e+$austed moderate"y encumbered c$aracter mo*es and fig$ts as

if $e were se*ere"y encumbered Bsua""y e+$austed c$aracters are we""/ad*ised to catc$

t$eir breat$

.ecoerin from Fatiue

!f a c$aracter or monster s%ends one round resting making no mo*es or attacks of anykind $e gets t$e c$ance to reco*er one category of fatigue e+$austed to fatigued

fatigued to fres$5 by ro""ing a successfu" sa*ing t$row *s %ara"yzation C$aracters

modify t$e die ro"" by a cumu"ati*e R8 bonus for eac$ consecuti*e round t$ey s%endresting T$e c$aracter)s $it/%oint bonus for e+ce%tiona" Constitution is a"so used as a


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modifier to t$e reco*ery ro""

W$en a c$aracter reco*ers a fatigue category $is fatigue number is re/set a"" t$e

way back to its origina" *a"ue -e gets a second wind and can re2oin t$e fray

%ffects of Force Marchin on Fatiue

W$ene*er c$aracters $a*e fai"ed a Constitution c$eck as a resu"t of force marc$ing andare sti"" in t$e %rocess of reco*ering see t$ePHB C$a%ter 8;: Time and Mo*ement

under Cross/Country Mo*ement5 t$ey automatica""y begin t$e combat in a fatigued state

rat$er t$an fres$ Fatigue %oints are consumed at t$e doub"ed rate and a"" t$e %ena"ties forbeing fatigued as we"" as t$e %ena"ties for force marc$ing5 a%%"y unti" a state of

e+$austion is reac$ed Furt$ermore creatures cannot return to a fu""y fres$ state during

t$e batt"e= on"y t$e noncombat reco*ery %eriod for force marc$ing can remo*e t$is

restriction

Mora"eT$e end of t$e round is a"so t$e time for mora"e c$ecks ?emember %"ayer c$aracters

ne*er need to c$eck mora"e= t$ey)re smart enoug$ to know w$en to cut and run andfoo"is$ enoug$ not to run w$en t$ey s$ou"d -owe*er 1DC a""ies or fo""owers of t$e DCs

may decide to abandon t$em if t$ings go %oor"yMora"e is discussed at "engt$ in t$eD"ngeon Master G"ide so it won)t be

reiterated $ere T$e 'M is not re>uired to make a mora"e ro"" e*ery round= $e can use $is

own 2udgment to decide w$en someone mig$t be t$inking of ca""ing it a day Aome goodguide"ines of w$en monsters or 1DCs mig$t make mora"e c$ecks:

W$en sur%rised=

W$en faced by an ob*ious"y su%erior enemy force=W$en an a""y is s"ain by magic=

W$en KU of t$eir grou% $as fa""en=W$en K.U of t$eir grou% $as fa""en=W$en t$eir "eader deserts or is ki""ed=

W$en t$ey are fig$ting an enemy t$at can)t be $urt by t$eir wea%ons=

W$en t$ey are offered a c$ance to surrender and t$ey)*e a"ready met one ot$er conditionfor a mora"e c$eck

(nformal Morale Chec-s

T$e 'M can a"ways 2ust decide if a creature or 1DC %asses its mora"e c$eck wit$out

e*en ro""ing dice T$e 'M s$ou"d be fair wit$ t$is= it)"" >uick"y annoy t$e %"ayers if t$eir

trusted $enc$men run away t$roug$ 'M ca%riciousness at t$e first sign of troub"e

Formal Morale Chec-s

forma" mora"e c$eck is a com%arison of a d8. ro"" against t$e creature)s base Mora"e

rating modified for t$e situation n e+tensi*e "ist of modifiers a%%ear on t$e 'M Acreenand under Mora"e in C$a%ter 9: Combat in t$eD"ngeon Master G"ide

Failin a Morale Chec-

W$en a c$aracter or grou% of monsters fai"s a mora"e c$eck t$eir first consideration is to


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get away from t$e fig$t !f t$ey fai" by a sma"" margin say 8 or on t$e die ro""5 t$ey try

to wit$draw in good order !f t$ey fai" by a "arge margin t$ey break off t$e fig$t and f"ee

for t$eir "i*es !nte""igent creatures may try to surrender if t$ere is no %"ace for t$em torun or if t$ey t$ink t$ey won)t be ab"e to get away

AtatusT$is is a catc$/a"" %$rase for any condition or situation t$at may affect t$e actions ne+t

round 'id a c$aracter get knocked down during t$e fig$t< -e)"" start t$e ne+t round

%rone 4enera""y magica" effects and continuing damage %oison burning acid etc5actua""y inf"ict t$eir damage in t$is %art of t$e combat round

A%ecia" Combat Conditions T$ere are a number of s%ecia" situations t$at can arise int$e course of a fig$t t$roug$ natura" circumstances or mi"itary %"anning Aomeone mig$t

fa"" down or be inca%acitated by a s%e"" batt"e foug$t in a t$ick tang"ed forest may

"imit arc$ery to s$ots of 3. feet or "ess Atinging snowstorms or sandstorms may "imit

*isibi"ity and carry away "ig$t missi"es T$e side t$at considers t$e c$aracteristics of t$e

batt"efie"d in its tactics often gains an ad*antage o*er its enemies C$a%ter T$reedescribes batt"efie"ds in great detai" but t$ere are a few s%ecia" ru"es t$at s$ou"d be

mentioned $ere

Atandard and ,%tiona" '&' ?u"esT$ese ru"es can a"" be found in t$ePlayer's Handboo#andEor t$eD"ngeon Master G"ide*en if t$ey are "isted as o%tiona" ru"es in t$e core ru"e books t$ey are a standard %art of

t$ePlayer's Optioncombat system T$ey are %resented again $ere wit$ any necessary

combat system a"terations and additions5 for ease of reference ?efer to C$a%ter 9:Combat in t$ePHB andDMG for more detai"s

Moement and Footin4round c$aracteristics may drastica""y "imit a c$aracter)s abi"ity to mo*e in a fig$t T$emo*ement reductions "isted be"ow a%%"y to t$e c$aracter)s base mo*ement so a c$aracter

wit$ a norma" mo*e of 8 s%aces wou"d be reduced to a mo*e of four s%aces in $ea*y

brus$ !f a c$aracter %asses t$roug$ mu"ti%"e ground ty%es in one round $e uses t$e worstof t$e modifiers

Condition .educe Moe by

-ea*y brus$ or t$icket E3

Gig$t brus$ or forest 8E3!ce or s"i%%ery footing 8E3

Atee% s"o%e or roug$ ground 8E

nee/dee% snow water or soft sand 8E3Waist/dee% snow or water 8E

A$ou"der/dee% snow or water E3

Coer and Concealment


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Concea"ment and co*er work on"y against missi"e fire and co*er a"so %ro*ides a bonus to

sa*ing t$row ro""s w$ere an effect causes %$ysica" damage "ike a fireba"" s%e""

T$e amount of t$e target t$at is concea"ed or co*ered determines t$e %ena"ty toany missi"e attacks made against t$e target

Taret is: Coer Concealment

KU $idden L L8

K.U $idden L; L

KU $idden L L39.U $idden L8. L;

target is im%ossib"e to $it w$en it is com%"ete"y b"ocked from t$e arc$er by co*er

Gine of Fire figure)s "ine of fire is considered to run from t$e center of its s>uare to t$e

center of t$e target)s s>uare !f t$e "ine of fire %asses t$roug$ any %art of a s>uare

containing an obstac"e t$e target is considered to be co*ered or concea"ed to some e+tentT$e 'M can decide w$et$er t$e target is KU K.U KU or 9.U screened or $e can ro""

random"y if it is not c"ear !f t$e "ine of fire %asses t$roug$ a s>uare containing a figure

engaged in me"ee t$e arc$er must use t$e ru"es for firing into a me"ee to determine w$ere$is s$ot goes

1ote t$at inte""igent creatures w$o are facing t$e arc$er wi"" usua""y use t$e

screening ob2ect for its ma+imum effect w$i"e anima"s and monsters t$at aren)tinte""igent !nt 8 or "ess5 wi"" rare"y try to screen t$emse"*es against an arc$er)s fire

!f t$ere)s any >uestion about w$ic$ s>uares t$e "ine of fire %asses t$roug$ you can

use a string a ru"er or t$e edge of a card to c$eck t$e missi"e)s %at$

MountsMounts %ro*ide t$eir rider wit$ a R8 bonus to attack ro""s w$en fig$ting against

unmounted o%%onents w$i"e t$e o%%onents suffer a L8 %ena"ty to attacks against t$e ridert$ere is no %ena"ty to attack t$e mount itse"f5 Most mounts are fair"y "arge and can

o*errun sma""er creatures norma" $uman on $orseback can use $is mount)s s%eed and

size to tram%"e $is o%%onents underfoot see ,*errun5 Many mounts are a"so ca%ab"e ofmaking attacks a"ong wit$ t$eir rider

?ear or F"ank ttacks!f a creature is ab"e to %osition itse"f for a rear or f"ank attack it gains a significant

ad*antage F"ank attacks get a R8 bonus to $it and rear attacks a R bonus t$ief

attacking from t$e rear can dec"are a bac#stab and gain a R; bonus to $is attack ro"" !naddition to t$e attacker ad*antages t$e defender)s s$ie"d doesn)t $e"% against f"ank attacks

on $is uns$ie"ded side nor on any rear attacks Gast but not "east t$e defender)s 'e+terity

ad2ustment doesn)t count against rear attacks since t$e defender can)t see t$e attack

coming and attem%t to dodge it

Aitting nee"ing and Gying Drone

C$aracters may sit knee" or fa"" %rone as a no/mo*e action 4etting u% from sitting or


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knee"ing is considered a $a"f/mo*e action so a c$aracter can stand and sti"" fire a missi"e

or make an attack Atanding u% from a %rone %osition is treated as a fu""/mo*e action so

t$e c$aracter can do not$ing e"se in t$at round e+ce%t riseAitting or knee"ing c$aracters are s"ig$t"y $arder to $it wit$ missi"es or t$rown

wea%ons= t$ey gain an rmor C"ass bonus of L8 against any ranged attacks -owe*er

t$ey)re at a disad*antage in me"ee nyone making a me"ee attack against a sitting orknee"ing c$aracter gains a R bonus to $it t$em

Drone c$aracters %resent *ery sma"" missi"e targets and gain an C bonus of L

*ersus ranged attacks -owe*er t$ey are *ery *u"nerab"e to anyone c"ose enoug$ tot$reaten t$em Me"ee attacks against %rone c$aracters gain a R; bonus to $it

nee"ing c$aracters can use any wea%on wit$ no %ena"ty Aitting c$aracters can

on"y use crossbows wit$out a %ena"ty= wit$ any ot$er wea%on t$ey suffer a L %ena"ty to

t$eir attack ro""s 1ote t$at c$aracters on $orseback are mounted not sitting05 Dronec$aracters can on"y use crossbows or size A wea%ons w$i"e t$ey)re on t$e ground

%rone c$aracter firing a crossbow attacks at one/$a"f t$e norma" rate of fire and makes

any me"ee attacks wit$ a L; %ena"ty to $it

'amage and 'ying

Creatures reduced to negati*e $it %oints are inca%acitated and begin "osing 8 $it %oint %erround unti" t$ey reac$ L8. at w$ic$ %oint t$ey die creature)s "oss of $it %oints can be

$a"ted by binding its wounds using t$e $ea"ing %roficiency or casting some kind of

curati*e magic on t$e *ictimC$aracters w$o $a*e been reduced to . $it %oints or "ess are $e"%"ess= t$ey can)t

tend t$eir own wounds or take any actions t e+act"y . $it %oints t$e c$aracter is sim%"y

unconscious and remains so unti" $ea"ed or unti" dO fu"" turns %ass !f a c$aracter)s deat$

is %re*ented by binding $is wounds or $ea"ing $im t$e c$aracter is com%"ete"y $e"%"essfor at "east ; $ours

!t is dangerous to "ea*e c$aracters at a negati*e $it %oint tota" for "ong ac$ day

t$at a c$aracter begins wit$ negati*e $it %oints ro"" a d8. and com%are it wit$ t$eabso"ute *a"ue of t$e c$aracter)s $it %oints in ot$er words take into account on"y t$e

numerica" *a"ue of t$e $it %oints ignoring t$e negati*e sign5 !f t$e die ro"" is "ess t$an

t$is numerica" score t$e c$aracter "oses 8d; additiona" $it %oints T$is additiona" "oss of$it %oints can be a*oided if someone wit$ t$e $ea"ing %roficiency is t$ere to tend to t$e

%atient or if curati*e magic is used

%or eample! Gorathan the =nl"c#y as badly ma"led by a dire ol$ andred"ced to ;) hit points( His companions bo"nd his o"nds! b"t no clerics or pro$icient

healers ere nearby! so Gorathan didn't recover any hit points( The net day! a d-* is

rolled to see i$ he orsens or not( 1$ the roll is a . or less 7hich is less than the >)> o$Gorathan's ;) hit points9! Gorathan loses -d. additional hit points( 1$ the roll is a ) or

better! Gorathan recovers hit points normally $or a day o$ bed rest( 1$ Gorathan has some

bad rolls! he might not ma#e it(

Wea%on Ty%e *s rmor Ty%e

Aome wea%ons $a*e an innate ad*antage against certain ty%es of armor !n t$e Midd"e

ges $undreds of wea%ons were designed for t$e %ur%ose of %enetrating $ea*y armor


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Wea%on ty%es and armor ty%es are e+%"ored in more detai" in C$a%ter Ae*en

Firing !nto a Me"eeT$roug$out t$e ages friend"y fire $as been a significant t$reat on t$e batt"efie"d !n t$e

Player's Option combat system t$e s$orter combat round means t$at arc$ers can)t wait to

%ick and c$oose t$eir s$ots T$ey $a*e to fire or $o"d t$eir fire in an instant me"ee is defined as any situation in w$ic$ one creature t$reatens anot$er Firing

or t$rowing missi"es at eit$er of t$e two engaged creatures re>uires t$e s$ooter to ro"" to

see w$ic$ figure $e actua""y attacks "" creatures t$at are t$reatened or t$reatening oneanot$er in t$e same grou% are inc"uded so t$e arc$er is guaranteed of at "east firing at t$e

rig$t engagement

To determine t$e actua" target assign eac$ Man/sized target 8 %oint on a die

Ama""/sized targets get 8E a %oint Garge targets %oints -uge targets ; %oints and4argantuan targets O %oints

dditiona" ?u"es

T$ese ru"es are s%ecific to t$ePlayer's Optioncombat system

-ig$er 4round!f t$e attacker)s waist is $ig$er t$an $is o%%onent)s $ead $e gains a R8 bonus to $is attack

ro""s Atairways tab"eto%s and stee% s"o%es may create $ig$er/ground o%%ortunities for a

c$aracter in combat T$is doesn)t a%%"y to co"ossa" creatures suc$ as giants w$o arefig$ting on "e*e" ground against muc$ s$orter c$aracters nor does it a%%"y to mounted

c$aracters= t$ey a"ready get a bonus

nockdownsAome creatures can smas$ t$eir o%%onents to t$e ground wit$ raw strengt$ or $ea*y

wea%onry nockdowns are based on t$e size of t$e attacker)s wea%on com%ared to t$esize of t$e defender*ery wea%on inc"uding monster attacks5 is assigned a #noc#dondie t$at is

ro""ed w$en a $it is scored Gig$t wea%ons $a*e a sma"" die w$i"e $ea*y wea%ons use a

d8. or d8 for knockdowns T$e size of t$e target determines w$at ro"" is re>uired for aknockdown

Target Aize nockdown ?o""

T 3

A K

M G 9

- 88

'on)t confuse t$e knockdown die wit$ t$e actua" damage caused by t$e $it= t$ey

are two different t$ings !t is a "itt"e >uicker to ro"" t$e knockdown c$ance a"ong wit$ t$e


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damage dice but don)t fee" "ike you $a*e to

,b*ious"y some creatures are immune to knockdowns n oc$re 2e""y b"ack

%udding or fire e"ementa" can)t rea""y be knocked down nor cou"d a crocodi"e or s$ark int$e water !n addition some monsters may be unusua""y resistant to knockdown effects

7noc-down %ffects0Creatures w$o suffer a knockdown must ro"" a successfu" sa*ingt$row *s deat$ or be knocked

Player's Option - Combat and Tactics

Documents