Heroic Combat: Iteration 3
All right, let's try again. This time I'll combine the rules and the test fights into a single post.
2. Initiative Phase
3. Ranged Combat Phase
3. Ranged Combat Phase
3.1. Winning side acts
3.2. Losing side acts
3.3. Injury/casualty resolution
4. Movement Phase
4.1. Winning side acts
4.2. Losing side acts
4.3. Injury/casualty resolution
5. Melee Combat Phase
5. Melee Combat Phase
3.1. Winning side acts
3.2. Losing side acts
3.3. Injury/casualty resolution
6. Morale Phase7. Fatigue Phase
Note: The entire combat sequence has been reworked. Now, instead of the winning side going through all the phases and then the losing side going through all the phases, each side goes through one phase, then through another phase. Movement and ranged combat phases swapped places. Coupled with some other changes, this was done to facilitate using both ranged and melee weapons in the same round. For example, a horde of orcs throwing their javelins and then charging at their enemies with their axes.
In addition, both combat phases have the injury/casualty resolution subphase. (Movement phase also has an injury/casualty resolution phase for things like falling into pits due to movement, walking through fire, etc.) This is done to decrease the advantage of alpha-strikes and facilitate reach advantage without using Wait. While the entire procedure now looks more complex and requires some additional rolls, there are some other rules changes that actually make combat faster. More on that later.
Mass Action
In Heroic Combat, groups of identical combatants can be treated as a single unit for most purposes. For example, 10 orc fighters can be given the same combat tactics, move together, attack together, etc. However, it is also possible to "split" the group for the purpose of certain actions. For example, a group of 10 orcs is fighting a group of 5 elves and 2 PCs. The referee may say that five orcs attack the elves, while the two PCs receive three and two attacks each. Should, for example, six of these orcs be affected by some spell, the affected ones and those unaffected will become two separate groups, but they may still be treated as a single group for the purpose of injury assignment (unless the spell's effect would make that inappropriate). The groups do not even have to be physically continuous. For example, if 5 orcs and 5 goblins are collectively fighting 5 elves and 5 humans, all four groups would have to decide how many of them attack each kind of enemy. This allows for faster combat resolution and lets us avoid complicated rules for mixed groups, assigning hits to non-identical targets, etc., but requires some common sense and occasional adjudication by the referee.
In Heroic Combat, groups of identical combatants can be treated as a single unit for most purposes. For example, 10 orc fighters can be given the same combat tactics, move together, attack together, etc. However, it is also possible to "split" the group for the purpose of certain actions. For example, a group of 10 orcs is fighting a group of 5 elves and 2 PCs. The referee may say that five orcs attack the elves, while the two PCs receive three and two attacks each. Should, for example, six of these orcs be affected by some spell, the affected ones and those unaffected will become two separate groups, but they may still be treated as a single group for the purpose of injury assignment (unless the spell's effect would make that inappropriate). The groups do not even have to be physically continuous. For example, if 5 orcs and 5 goblins are collectively fighting 5 elves and 5 humans, all four groups would have to decide how many of them attack each kind of enemy. This allows for faster combat resolution and lets us avoid complicated rules for mixed groups, assigning hits to non-identical targets, etc., but requires some common sense and occasional adjudication by the referee.
Orders Phase
The round begins with the referee secretly choosing combat tactics for all the combatants under his control. Then, the players choose combat tactics for their characters and other combatants under their control.
Combat Tactics
In Heroic Combat, where each round is comprised of 20 seconds, you do not dictate which actions characters perform second-by-second. Instead, you first have to choose combat tactics which represent the general course of actions that will impose modifiers or otherwise affect the actions themselves. Combat tactics are obvious – all parties involved know this information, but it is revelead only after all combatants have made their choice.
The choice of combat tactics affects what kind of actions and how many of them you are permitted to take during the round. The description of combat tactics lists permitted actions, allowed movement, and modifiers to melee attacks, ranged attacks, defenses, and other properties.
All-Out Offensive
Movement: Up to Move x 10, but only in a straight line towards the enemy.
Melee Attack Modifier: +4.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +0, can only attack the target you are running toward and only once.
Defense Modifier: -4.
Offensive
Movement: Up to Move x 5.
Melee Attack Modifier: +2.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +0.
Defense Modifier: -2.
Neutral
Movement: Up to Move x 5.
Melee Attack Modifier: +0.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +0.
Defense Modifier: +0.
Defensive
Movement: Up to Move x 4.
Melee Attack Modifier: -2.
Ranged Attack Modifier: -2.
Defense Modifier: +2.
All-Out Defensive
Movement: Up to Move x 3 (or Move x 2 if withdrawing).
Melee Attack Modifier: -4.
Ranged Attack Modifier: -4.
Defense Modifier: +4.
Aimed Shooting
Movement: Move x 2.
Melee Attack Modifier: -2.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +2+Acc.
Defense Modifier: -2.
Hold Ground
Movement: Up to Move x 1.
Melee Attack Modifier: +0.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +0.
Defense Modifier: +2.
Retreat
Movement: Up to Move x 10, but only away from the enemy.
Melee Attack Modifier: no attacks allowed.
Ranged Attack Modifier: no attacks allowed.
Defense Modifier: -4.
Special: No actions that substitute for attacking or moving are allowed.
Note: With the changes to combat resolution, offensive tactics seem less appealing, don't they? I'll have to test them and see if changes are required.In Heroic Combat, where each round is comprised of 20 seconds, you do not dictate which actions characters perform second-by-second. Instead, you first have to choose combat tactics which represent the general course of actions that will impose modifiers or otherwise affect the actions themselves. Combat tactics are obvious – all parties involved know this information, but it is revelead only after all combatants have made their choice.
The choice of combat tactics affects what kind of actions and how many of them you are permitted to take during the round. The description of combat tactics lists permitted actions, allowed movement, and modifiers to melee attacks, ranged attacks, defenses, and other properties.
All-Out Offensive
Movement: Up to Move x 10, but only in a straight line towards the enemy.
Melee Attack Modifier: +4.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +0, can only attack the target you are running toward and only once.
Defense Modifier: -4.
Offensive
Movement: Up to Move x 5.
Melee Attack Modifier: +2.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +0.
Defense Modifier: -2.
Neutral
Movement: Up to Move x 5.
Melee Attack Modifier: +0.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +0.
Defense Modifier: +0.
Defensive
Movement: Up to Move x 4.
Melee Attack Modifier: -2.
Ranged Attack Modifier: -2.
Defense Modifier: +2.
All-Out Defensive
Movement: Up to Move x 3 (or Move x 2 if withdrawing).
Melee Attack Modifier: -4.
Ranged Attack Modifier: -4.
Defense Modifier: +4.
Aimed Shooting
Movement: Move x 2.
Melee Attack Modifier: -2.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +2+Acc.
Defense Modifier: -2.
Hold Ground
Movement: Up to Move x 1.
Melee Attack Modifier: +0.
Ranged Attack Modifier: +0.
Defense Modifier: +2.
Retreat
Movement: Up to Move x 10, but only away from the enemy.
Melee Attack Modifier: no attacks allowed.
Ranged Attack Modifier: no attacks allowed.
Defense Modifier: -4.
Special: No actions that substitute for attacking or moving are allowed.
Initiative Phase
Unlike regular GURPS combat, Heroic Combat has 20-second combat rounds. This allows us to abstract many actions and focus on the outcome instead of the details. While it may seem that characters will move and act much slower in this timeframe than if they played out this fight second by second, this level of abstraction also represents the chaotic nature of battle, where instead of taking the most optimal decisions at the speed of thoughts, combatants hesitate, estimate their chances, exchange blows and parries, maneuver around terrain, etc."Initiative" in Heroic Combat is side-based. Each side rolls a 1d, and the one with the highest result is the winner. The side whose leader has the highest Tactics skill adds +1 to this roll.
Movement Phase
During the Movement Phase, combatants may move any distance up to what is allowed by their chosen combat tactics. Movement is subject to the normal restrictions of barriers, difficult terrain, etc. appropriate to the circumstances and chosen mode of movement. For the purpose of movement-based penalties, use the amount of movement "expended" instead of the actual movement distance. For those who can move at a speed higher than their Basic Move, use Top Speed instead.
During the Movement Phase, you may also perform other non-attack actions (see Other Actions below). You may substitute a half of the movement allowed by your combat tactic to perform a short action, or all out movement to perform a medium action or two short actions. Also, you may remain stationary and forfeit all attacks this round to perform a long action.
Ranged Combat Phase and Melee Combat Phase
During the Ranged Combat Phase, a character or a group of combatants can make one ranged attack with any ranged weapon they have available. During the Melee Combat Phase, a character or a group of combatants can make one melee attack with any melee weapon they have available. The weapons do not have to be ready in their hands - they just have to be part of their carried equipment, and it is assumed that the combatants swap their weapons as required.
Note: This is another change made to facilitate both melee and ranged attacks made in the same round. Weapon switching is assumed to happen anywhere within the round, as those 2-3 seconds are negligible enough. It's less fiddly now too.
During these two phases, you may also perform other non-attack actions (see Other Actions below). You may perform a short action as part of an attack, but then the attack will be at -6. You may forfeit all attacks this round for two short actions or one medium one. Finally, you may remain stationary and forfeit all attacks this round to perform a long action.
Resolve the attacks using the following procedure:
1. Declare the target
The target can be a singular character or a group of identical enemies.
The target can be a singular character or a group of identical enemies.
Ranged: Note that singling out a target in a group (for example, an orc commander in a group of 20 orcs) may be impossible, unless the target is in the front row or has higher effective SM, as each interposing figure applies a -4 penalty.
If a combatant chose the All-Out Offensive combat tactic, he can only attack the opponent he is running towards.
When firing at a group of identical enemies, such as a unit of orcs, apply a +1 bonus to the attacker's effective skill for a group of 5-8 enemies, +2 for 9-12 enemies, +3 for 13-16 enemies, +4 for 17+ enemies.
2. Determine engagement size (only for melee attacks)
Count the number of attackers who can actively participate in the melee this round. This is limited by:- Frontage and formation (typically 1 rank deep unless otherwise specified).
3. Determine the number of shots fired (only for ranged attacks)
This depends on the rate of fire (RoF) of the weapon and the available ammunition. In low-tech games, this is 1 for most weapons. Apply the Rapid Fire bonus to skill (p. B373).
This depends on the rate of fire (RoF) of the weapon and the available ammunition. In low-tech games, this is 1 for most weapons. Apply the Rapid Fire bonus to skill (p. B373).
For weapons such as bows, slings, and thrown weapons (with a reload time of 2 seconds or less), the normal maximum number of shots per round is 3. If you are using Aimed Shooting combat tactic, the maximum number of shots per round is 2. However, each of these additional shots requires you to expend 1 x Move of your allowed movement. Thus, if you used up all your movement, you may be unable to fire more than one shot. You may increase the number of shots fired by 1, if you make a successful Fast-Draw roll of appropriate specialty at the start of the phase without expending additional movement.
4. Apply numerical difference bonus
The attacking side receives a bonus to their effective skill based on the number of attackers and a hit multiplier based on the number of attackers for melee attacks or the total number of shots for ranged attacks:
The attacking side receives a bonus to their effective skill based on the number of attackers and a hit multiplier based on the number of attackers for melee attacks or the total number of shots for ranged attacks:
Note: This has been changed. Now, the hit multiplier is tied to shots for ranged attacks. This should make high-RoF attacks much more dangerous than before! This might get out of hand, so I'll need to test it. Note that it's possible now to get a hit multiplier for firing a bow with Fast-Draw without aiming, as you'll have effective RoF 4. Also, we now have the x1.5 hit multiplier for 3 attackers/shots too.
Attackers : Defenders | Skill Bonus |
Up to 1:1 (equal or fewer) | +0 |
>1:1 to 1.5:1 | +2 |
>1.5:1 to 2:1 | +4 |
>2:1 to 3:1 | +6 |
>3:1 to 4:1 | +8 |
>4:1 to 5:1 | +10 |
>5:1 to 6:1 | +12 |
>6:1 to 7:1 | +14 |
>7:1 | +16 |
Attackers/Shots | Hit Multiplier |
1-2 | x1 |
3 | x1.5 (round down) |
4-5 | x2 |
6-7 | x3 |
8-10 | x4 |
11-15 | x5 |
16-20 | x6 |
21-30 | x7 |
Note: This table is open-ended. This is just the Size and Speed/Range Table (p. B550) with the number of attackers used instead of yards in the Linear Measurement column.
5. Resolve the attack
An attack is resolved as a Quick Contest of the attacker's combat skill against the defender's active defense. The attacker gets a +2 to skill if he won the initiative this round. The defender chooses his active defense, but the defense must be valid against the incoming attack.
If the attacker wins, he delivers a number of hits equal to one plus one for each full multiple of his Speed Factor (SF) in his margin of victory.
Melee: For each hit, the attacker chooses the mode of attack used (for example, swing or thrust).
Modifiers: Most of the standard melee attack modifiers are applied, with the rest either being subsumed into combat tactics or being irrelevant at this level of abstraction. Apply the following modifiers (p. B547):
- Attacker’s Posture;
- Attacker’s Situation;
- Visibility.
Ranged: The number of hits delivered cannot be higher than the number of projectiles launched at the target.
- Attacker’s Posture;
- Attacker’s Situation;
- Visibility.
Ranged: The number of hits delivered cannot be higher than the number of projectiles launched at the target.
If you are firing at a target that is locked in melee, you take a -4 penalty. In addition, if you miss, roll 3d. If you roll 9 or lower, roll another Quick Contest against a random different participant of the melee, hitting a random hit location. If you do not land this stray hit, do not continue rolling these contests.
Modifiers: Most of the standard ranged attack modifiers are applied, with the rest either being subsumed into combat tactics or being irrelevant at this level of abstraction. Apply all the modifiers (p. B548), including those for Rapid Fire (p. B373), except for those associated with Aim, Move and Attack, and All-Out Attack. Apply the numerical difference bonus (see #3), and the bonus for attacking a group (see #1)
Range penalties are simplified as per GURPS Action 2: Exploits, p. 36. In short, there are five range bands: Close (melee range; Bulk penalty is applied); Short (3-20 yards; -3 penalty); Medium (21-100 yards; -7 penalty); Long (101-500 yards; -11 penalty), and Extreme (501+ yards; -15 penalty).
Modifiers: Most of the standard ranged attack modifiers are applied, with the rest either being subsumed into combat tactics or being irrelevant at this level of abstraction. Apply all the modifiers (p. B548), including those for Rapid Fire (p. B373), except for those associated with Aim, Move and Attack, and All-Out Attack. Apply the numerical difference bonus (see #3), and the bonus for attacking a group (see #1)
Range penalties are simplified as per GURPS Action 2: Exploits, p. 36. In short, there are five range bands: Close (melee range; Bulk penalty is applied); Short (3-20 yards; -3 penalty); Medium (21-100 yards; -7 penalty); Long (101-500 yards; -11 penalty), and Extreme (501+ yards; -15 penalty).
6. Apply injury
See Injury below.
See Injury below.
Note: This section has another huge change - now the defender uses his active defense instead of combat skill. This, coupled with the two-sidedness of melee combat, was done to increase the number attacks landing. This has the effect of there being fewer "empty" rounds where nothing happens, but the general deadliness is somewhat the same due to the addition of a HT roll (see below).
The iniaitive winner now has a +2 bonus to attacks, because otherwise initiative barely matters with the new sequence. Is +2 too low or not? We'll see during the testing.
Speed Factor
The character’s Speed Factor (SF) determines how many hits are scored on a successful attack. By default, a successful melee attack scores one hit plus one additional hit per full multiple of Speed Factor in the margin of victory. By default, Speed Factor is equal to 4, but there may be certain situations that modify it.
For unwieldy weapons that require readying after each attack, Speed Factor is equal to 6.
For unwieldy weapons that require readying after each attack, Speed Factor is equal to 6.
Each level of Extra Attack or Altered Time Rate decreases the Speed Factor by 2, to the minimum of 1, but only if all attacks are made with the same weapon. When using different weapons, resolve attacks separately.
Decreased Time Rate increased Speed Factor by 2.
Being Locked in Melee and Disengagement
Whenever you are attacking another combatant in melee or are attacked by another combatant, you become locked in melee with him regardless of the success of the attack. You are assumed to be actively maneuvering, shifting position, retreating, with that combatant, and you cannot continue your movement – you must remain where you are, unless you disengage, which may incur a free attack against you.Withdrawal: You back away from your opponent carefully. You can move up to your Move x 2, but only away from the opponents you are locked in melee with. You cannot attack, cast spells, or perform any other actions this round, but the opponents do not get a free attack against you. Withdrawal is only possible if you have declared the All-Out Defensive combat tactics.
Retreat: If you choose the Retreat combat tactic, you run away from the enemy as fast as possible, moving up to your Move x 10. If you retreated from a melee, the combatants you were locked in melee with immediately get a free attack on you. If there were multiple eligible combatants, you decide the order of attack resolution. You get -4 to your defenses, as you drop your guard and turn your back to the enemy. The free attack against you are at -1 per each level of Basic Move that you have higher than the attacker, up to the maximum of -4.
Injury
By default, the attacks target the torso, but if the attacker elected to target a specific hit location, all the attacks hit that hit location. Roll damage once, subtract DR, multiply by the number of hits to find total injury. Groups of identical combatants have HP pools that are equal to the HP of one combatant multiplied by the number of combatants. By default, assume that each combatant of the target group is assigned up to its HP in injury, which would take him down to 0 HP. While injury is accumulated when the creature or unit is attacked, it is applied and resolved only in the Injury/Casualty Resoultion step of the current phase. This allows combatants to strike back before they "die", representing a two-sided exchange of blows. Before applying injury to the combatant or unit and removing the casualties, make a HT roll. On a success, the injury is halved, rounded up, before it is applied.
Note: This is a huge change. Now, there are no "half-dead" parts of the unit, and HT remains important. As you can see here and in the Ending the Battle section, abstract combat HP and real HP aren't exactly the same.
Other Actions
There is no Ready maneuver or combat tactic in Heroic Combat, but certain actions that are not classified as attacks or movement can be taken in lieu of attacking or moving. The typical actions that require Ready or Change Posture maneuvers during your turn when using normal GURPS combat, can be classified as short, medium, or long that require 1-2, 3-4, or 5-10 seconds respectively. You may substitute a half of the movement allowed by your combat tactic to perform a short action, or all out movement to perform a medium action or two short actions. You may likewise perform a short action as part of an attack, but then the attack will be at -6. You may forfeit all attacks this round for two short actions or one medium one. Finally, you may remain stationary and forfeit all attacks this round to perform a long action.
The following is an incomplete list of various actions that may be relevant for combat situations.
Short Actions
- Open or close a door
- Hand or accept an item to another character within reach
- Ready a DB 0-2 cloak or shield
- Change posture one step up or down, as if taking a single Change Posture maneuver
- Open an unlocked box, briefcase, pack, etc.
- Read a brief note (~a sentence)
- Swallow a ready pill or potion
- Light a ready candle, cigarette, fuse, match, torch, etc.
- Drop a small item into your pocket
- Reload a weapon (up to 2 seconds)
Medium Actions
- Ready a DB 3-4 shield
- Pick something up from the ground if you are standing and stand back up
- Pick up a heavy object in two hands (weight up to 8xBL)
- Reload a weapon (up to 4 seconds)
Long Actions
- Find a loose item in a box, briefcase, pack, etc. (if it’s not hidden)
- Reload a weapon (up to 10 seconds)
- Wait (see below)
Exceptions: There are some exceptions to this, as certain short actions that typically require a single Ready maneuver as assumed to be part of another action that you are performing, such as an attack. Readying an unwieldy weapon after an attack does not require an action – this is assumed to be part of an attack with that weapon. Changing grips or reach also is assumed to be part of an attack – you choose your weapon’s grip and reach at the start of the attack. Reloading ranged weapons with a reload time of 2 seconds or less is considered part of the attack. Drawing and sheathing weapons is considered part of the attack as well - you do not have to take any action to switch weapons.
The following is an incomplete list of various actions that may be relevant for combat situations.
Short Actions
- Open or close a door
- Hand or accept an item to another character within reach
- Ready a DB 0-2 cloak or shield
- Change posture one step up or down, as if taking a single Change Posture maneuver
- Open an unlocked box, briefcase, pack, etc.
- Read a brief note (~a sentence)
- Swallow a ready pill or potion
- Light a ready candle, cigarette, fuse, match, torch, etc.
- Drop a small item into your pocket
- Reload a weapon (up to 2 seconds)
Medium Actions
- Ready a DB 3-4 shield
- Pick something up from the ground if you are standing and stand back up
- Pick up a heavy object in two hands (weight up to 8xBL)
- Reload a weapon (up to 4 seconds)
Long Actions
- Find a loose item in a box, briefcase, pack, etc. (if it’s not hidden)
- Reload a weapon (up to 10 seconds)
- Wait (see below)
Exceptions: There are some exceptions to this, as certain short actions that typically require a single Ready maneuver as assumed to be part of another action that you are performing, such as an attack. Readying an unwieldy weapon after an attack does not require an action – this is assumed to be part of an attack with that weapon. Changing grips or reach also is assumed to be part of an attack – you choose your weapon’s grip and reach at the start of the attack. Reloading ranged weapons with a reload time of 2 seconds or less is considered part of the attack. Drawing and sheathing weapons is considered part of the attack as well - you do not have to take any action to switch weapons.
Note: Weapon switching is automatic now.
If you are reacting to someone else, this interrupts his turn, but he can resume it after you’ve acted. If you readied an attack against an enemy who is approaching you to attack, your attack comes out first, if you have longer reach. If you have the same reach, the attacks are resolved simultaneously. If you have shorter reach, your attack is resolved last. You must specify exactly what your action will be when you take the Wait action, and what will trigger it. For instance, “I’ll make a thrusting attack with my sword on the first orc to move toward me.”
Opportunity Fire: This works the same as described on p. B390, but with hexes translated into yard-radius areas.
Wait
You may use a long action (see above) to do nothing unless a particular event you specified in advance occurs before your next turn; e.g., a foe moves into range. If that happens, you may transform your Wait into an attack or a short action.If you are reacting to someone else, this interrupts his turn, but he can resume it after you’ve acted. If you readied an attack against an enemy who is approaching you to attack, your attack comes out first, if you have longer reach. If you have the same reach, the attacks are resolved simultaneously. If you have shorter reach, your attack is resolved last. You must specify exactly what your action will be when you take the Wait action, and what will trigger it. For instance, “I’ll make a thrusting attack with my sword on the first orc to move toward me.”
Opportunity Fire: This works the same as described on p. B390, but with hexes translated into yard-radius areas.
Grappling
Grappling is a special case of unarmed melee attack. It is resolved as a regular melee attack with the following differences: - The effective skill is modified for the number of arms, difference in SM, etc. as a regular grappling attack (p. B370).
- When the total number of hits has been determined, the attacker may "spend" these hits to achieve different grappling results. Even if the attacker does not spend any hits, the target is considered grappled. To spend hits, you may need to roll another Quick Contest, with each contestant using the highest of ST, DX, or their best grappling skill.
- Spending 1 hit allows the attackers to perform a takedown (p. B370). If the numerical difference between the attackers and defenders is ">1.5:1 to 2:1" or higher, then add 1/5 (rounded down) to the effective skill.
- Spending 1 hit on an already prone opponent allows the attackers to perform a pin (p. B370). If the numerical difference between the attackers and defenders is ">1.5:1 to 2:1", then add 1/5 (rounded down) to the effective skill. This bonus is increased to 2/5 for any higher numerical difference. All other special cases are listed in the details of the specific grappling moves.
- Spending 1 or more hits allows the attacker to perform a choke, strangle, or choke hold (p. B371). Multiply damage by the number of hits spent. In any case, if the victim begins to suffocate, he suffocates for 10 seconds instead of 1.
- Spending 1 or more hits allows the attacker to perform an Arm Lock (p. B403), Neck Snap (p. B404), Wrench Limb (p. B404), or any similar damaging technique. Multiply damage by the number of spent hits.
- The rules for breaking free (p. B371) and attacking with weapons while grappling (p. B371) work the same way they do normally.
Multiple Weapons or Attacks
Many monsters have sharp teeth, claws, tails, and other natural weapons. Likewise, humanoid characters may wield two weapons at once. The standard way to resolve attacks assumes that all of them are made with one weapon. A character can declare that he uses multiple weapons (if all of them are ready) or multiple attacks with one or more weapons (for example, targeting the torso and the neck with the same weapon). To calculate the attacker's effective skill, subtract 1 per attack past the first one from the effective skill of each attack and calculate the average of it, rounded down. For example, the attacker has Broadsword-14 and wants to target the torso and the neck. The torso attack will have the effective skill of 13 (Broadsword 14 - 1 for two attacks), and the neck attack will have the effective skill of 8 (Broadsword 14 - 5 neck - 1 for two attacks). The average skill will be (13+8)/2 = 10.5, which is rounded down to 10.
If the defense chosen by the defender takes different modifiers against the attacks, the defender uses the most beneficial ones. For every base hit scored (before the hit multiplier is applied), determine the weapon/attack that landed randomly.
Note: Initially, I wanted to just remove this and abstract it all away, as I tried different approaches, but nothing worked in a satisfying manner. This approach seems to work on paper, but I ran the numbers in a semi-awake state, so they might be very off. We'll see during the testing. In any case, this is a very situational thing that probably will not come up very often.
Morale Phase
During the Morale Phase, the referee makes a morale roll for a group when one-third of the group has been killed or otherwise incapacitated, and each round thereafter that another creature in the group is killed, to determine if the group fights on. This does not apply to the PCs, but does apply to hirelings and henchmen.For solitary monsters, replace one-third of casualties with 1/3 of HP lost, and each additional creature killed with any additional injury.
The morale role is a Reaction roll. The referee rolls 3d, and modifies it as follows:
- Creature has lost 1/2 or more of its starting HP: +2
- Creature has lost 2/3 or more of its starting HP: +5
- Group outnumbers opponents: -2
- Group outnumbers opponents by 2:1 or more: -5
- Group has lost 1/2 or more of starting creatures: +2
- Group has lost 2/3 or more of starting creatures: +5
- Creature or group cannot retreat and enemy is not accepting surrender: -5
- Fearlessness: -1/level
- Cowardice: a bonus equal to the Fright Check penalty
On a result of 13 or higher, the group or creature flees or surrenders, as appropriate. If they flee, they must declare the Retreat combat tactic next turn.
In addition, some wounded combatants may collapse at the start of the Morale Phase (see Injury above).
Fatigue Phase
At the end of every round, roll 1d. On 1-2, subtract fatigue from all combatants that have participated in combat as per Fighting a Battle, p. B426.Ending the Battle
A battle ends when all of the combatants of one side have been incapacitated, routed, or voluntarily fled the battlefield. When a battle ends, the victorious side will have the opportunity to pursue the defeated side. After the pursuit is resolved, each side will determine casualties.
Pursuit is resolved as a Quick Contest. Both sides make a skill roll against the skill governing their mode of travel: Bicycling, Boating, Driving, Piloting, Riding, Running, Skiing, Submarine, Swimming, etc. This roll is always DX-based. Pedestrians without Running can use DX. For vehicles, only the operator’s skill matters. The pursuer rolls against the skill that governs their fastest mode of travel, while the pursued use their slowest mode of travel. Alternatively, if not in open terrain, the pursued side may use Stealth-2 instead to hide from the pursuers. Certain circumstances may make pursuit impossible, such as when the fleeing side can fly, while the pursuers cannot.
The following modifiers are applied:
Complementary Skills: Any one character on each side may roll against either Area Knowledge for the location of the chase (to exploit shortcuts, scenery, etc.) or Urban Survival if you’re in a built-up area. They never have to roll, but if they do, they get the usual bonus or penalty.
Handling: Those operating vehicles add their vehicle’s Handling stat.
Speed Bonus: Each side gets a bonus based on Top Speed. Use the “Size” column of the table on p. B550: +2 for a Move 5 man, +3 for a speedy Move 6-7 person, +4 for a vehicle capable of 20 mph, and so on. For in-between values, use the lower bonus.
Numerical Difference: Apply the numerical difference bonus just as you do for attacks.
Visibility: If the pursued side opted to use Stealth, the usual visibility penalties are applied to the pursuers' effectiv skill.
If the pursuing side wins, it may slay or capture (if properly equipped) one fleeing creature per pursuing creature, plus an additional one per pursuing creature per extra 5 points of margin of victory.
Casualties during the battle are abstracted, as was mentioned in Injury above. However, if it becomes important to see the exact HP and status of the incapacitated combatant that was reduced to 0 HP during the battle, roll 2d injury per full 10 HP, and apply it to a random hit location. For unimportant combatants, treat half of them, rounded up, as dead, and the rest at -HP/2 below 0.
Example: A player character was reduced in battle from HP 13 to HP 0, but his companions managed to win the battle. After the battle, the player rolls 2d and gets 8. He rolls a random hit location and gets the right leg. This means that he actually is at HP -8/13, and that his leg is crippled, as 8 injury is above the crippling threshold.
TEST BATTLES
SCENARIO #1 - DUEL
Swordsman
ST 12 HP 12 SM+0
DX 11 BS 5.5 Dodge 9
HT 11 FP 11 Block 12
Move 3
DR 4 (torso; medium segmented plate)
Light medium shield (DB 2) - Shield (14)
Thrusting Broadsword swing (14): swing 1d+2 cutting, Reach 1.
Thrusting Broadsword thrust (14): thrust 1d+1 impaling, Reach 1.
Bandit
ST 13 HP 13 SM+0
DX 12 BS 6 Dodge 10
HT 11 FP 11
Move 6
DR 3*, -2 vs. crushing (torso; light mail)
Thrusting Broadsword swing (14): swing 1d+2 cutting, Reach 1.
Thrusting Broadsword thrust (14): thrust 1d+2 impaling, Reach 1.
Short Bow (13): thrust 1d impaling, Acc 1, Range 195/300, RoF 1, Shots 1(2), Bulk -6.
First, let's assume the starting encounter distance of 15 yards on a featureless plane. Something like a large dungeon room. Since I am playing both sides, I will determine the combat tactics randomly (in this particular example, at least).
Round #1
Swordsman (HP 12/12, FP 11/11)
Bandit Captain (HP 13/13, FP 11/11)
Starting Distance: 15 yards
Orders Phase: Swordsman - Offensive; Bandit - Offensive
Initiative Phase: Swordsman - 3; Bandit - 4
Ranged Combat Phase:
Bandit fires his bow 3 times. This reduces his allotted movement from Move x 5 to Move x 3, but gives him a x1.5 hit multiplier. He rolls against 12 (skill 13 - 3 range + 2 initiative) and gets a 11. The swordsman rolls against Dodge 7 (9 - 2 tactics) and gets a 8. The bandit wins by 2, scoring one hit. He rolls 1d impaling and gets a 5. The swordsman takes 1 x 2 = 2 injury.
The swordsman has no ranged weapons, and injury is resolved now. The swordsman rolls against HT 11 and gets an 8. Injury is halved to 1. The swordsman is at HP 11/12.
Movement Phase:
What prevents the bandit from kiting the swordsman endlessly? If he fires only one shot per attack, he can run back 30 yards (Move x 5), while the swordsman could only catch up to him if he takes the All-Out Offensive tactics, moving 30 yards as well (Move x 10). Their Move values are very different, so this situation probably would make sense, but I will have to keep this in mind in the future. Perhaps, I'll have to adjust the tactics somehow. For now, the bandit remains standing, and the swordsman moves 14 yards towards the bandit to enter melee.
Melee Combat Phase:
Bandit thrusts with his sword. He rolls against 18 (skill 14 + 2 tactics + 2 initiative) and gets 13. The swordsman rolls against Block 10 (12 - 2 tactics) and gets 11. The bandit wins by 6, scoring two hits. He rolls 1d+2 impaling and gets 8. So, the swordsman will take (8-4)*2*2 = 16 injury, but not right now.
The swordsman strikes back. He rolls against skill 16 (skill 14 + 2 tactics) and gets 13. The bandit rolls against Dodge 8 (10 - 2 tactics) and gets 10. The swordsman wins by 5, scoring two hits. He rolls 1d+1 impaling and gets 4. Thus, the bandit will take (4-3)*2*2 = 4 injury.
Now, injury is resolved. The bandit roll against HT 11 and gets a 7. Injury is halved to 2. He is at HP 11/13. The swordsman rolls against HT 11 and gets 14. Injury is not halved. He is incapacitated at HP -5/12.
Did you see that? Now, it took one round to resolve, but it wasn't one-sided! Both parties got injured. I believe that in these cases it's okay to roll damage for each individual hit, but I went with a single roll multiplied by the number of hits this time. However, it seems that the defense penalties for offensive tactics may be a bit too much. Let's see the group fight now.
SCENARIO #2 - GROUP FIGHT
10 x Troglodyte Warrior
ST 12 HP 12 SM+0 Group HP 120
DX 12 BS 6 Dodge 10
HT 11 FP 11
Move 6
DR 1*
Stone Axe (12): swing 2d-1(0.5) cutting, Reach 1.
Stone Javelin throw (14): thrust 1d(0.5) impaling, Acc 3, Range 18/30, Bulk -4.
8 x Ogre Tribesmen
ST 16 HP 16 SM+1 Group HP 128
DX 9 BS 5 Dodge 8
HT 11 FP 11
Move 6
DR 2*
SM+1 Small Mace (10): swing 2d+2 crushing, Reach 1.
SM+1 Javelin throw (10): thrust 2d-1 impaling, Acc 3, Range 24/40, Bulk -4.
Round #1
10 x Troglodytes (HP Pool 120/120; HP 12 each, FP 11/11)
8 x Ogres (HP pool 128/128, HP 16 each, FP 11/11)
Starting Distance: 70 yards
Orders Phase: Troglodytes - Offensive; Ogres - Neutral
Initiative Phase: Troglodytes - 6; Ogres - 5
Ranged Combat Phase:
The troglodyte do nothing - the ogres are too far away.
The ogres do nothing as well.
Movement Phase:
The troglodytes move forward 30 yards, shortening the distance to 40 yards.
The ogres move forward 30 yards, shortening the distance to 10 yards.
Melee Combat Phase: skip
Fatigue Phase: I roll 1d and get a 1. Everyone loses 1 FP.
Morale Phase: skip.
Round #2
10 x Troglodytes (HP Pool 120/120; HP 12 each, FP 10/11)
8 x Ogres (HP pool 128/128, HP 16 each, FP 10/11)
Starting Distance: 10 yards
Orders Phase: Troglodytes - Offensive; Ogres - Defensive
Initiative Phase: Troglodytes - 4; Ogres - 6
Ranged Combat Phase:
The ogres throw their javelins at the troglodytes. There is no ratio bonus, but there is a x4 hit multiplier. The ogres roll against 9 (skill 10 + 2 ten targets + 2 initiative - 3 range - 2 tactics) and get a 5. The troglodytes roll against Dodge 8 (10 - 2 tactics) and get a 15. The ogres win by 11, getting incredibly lucky. This is 3 base hits that transform into 12 hits. However, there were only 8 shots launched, so the number of hits is capped at 8. The ogres roll 2d-1 and get a 8. This means that the troglodytes will receive a potential (8 - 1)*2*8 = 112 injury.
The troglodytes throw their javelins as well. Let's see. There's a +2 bonus for numerical difference, and a x4 hit multiplier. The troglodytes roll against 13 (skill 14 - 3 range + 2 ratio) and get 12. The ogres roll against Dodge 10 (8 + 2 tactics) and get 12. The troglodytes win by 3, scoring one base hit, which is then turned to four actual hits. They roll 1d(0.5) impaling and get a 6. The ogres will take (6 - 2*2)*2*4 = 16 injury.
Now, injury is resolved. Ogres roll against HT 11 and get a 7. Thus, injury is halved, and they take 8 injury. One of the ogres is wounded. The total HP is 120/128. The troglodytes roll against HT 11 and get 14. Their total HP is 8/120, which means that only one of them is still standing. How did eight javelins kill nine troglodytes? I don't know, and I don't care - this is an abstraction.
Movement Phase: Ogres close in, shortening the distance to 1 yard. The troglodyte remains where he is, as he's now locked in melee.
Melee Combat Phase: Let's just say that the 8 ogres smash the poor troglodyte into a bloody pulp.
Now would you look at that - that was only two rounds, with the first one being just movement. While it was very swingy, the rolls were very lucky here. With more normalized results, the numbers wouldn't be as high as they were. However, overall, I really like how it is playing right now.
For the next iteration
1. Explosions/area attacks
2. Spells and status effects
3. Think about the tactics
No comments:
Post a Comment