The systems used in roleplaying games to resolve conflict through violent means, often to the death of one or more characters. Combat often involves several subsystems that determine whether harm is inflicted (to-hit) and the extent of that harm (damage).
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Does Full Defense assume you're also Defending?
The Full Defense action is, mechanically, somewhat unreliable compared to the Defend action: Defend gives you a straight +2 Parry, while Full Defense lets you roll Fighting+2 to set your Parry. Since ...
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3answers
124 views
How do Berzerk and Shaken interact?
If a character with the Berzerk edge takes damage and goes berzerk, they cannot perform any actions that require concentration. Is the Spirit test to recover from being Shaken considered to be a task ...
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1answer
1k views
What are the best ways to move and full-attack in the same round?
One of the most important things for any physical fighter to accomplish is to maximize the amount of time you spend full-attacking. Once you have BAB +6, not full-attacking halves your potential ...
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5answers
493 views
What is, or should be, the average time length of combat in each tier in real time?
As per title, what is or should be the average time length in real time of one combat encounter in each tier of a DnD 4E game? I've noticed between heroic and paragon tier combat length starts to ...
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3answers
282 views
What are some “ideal” marching formations?
It often happens that your party is approaching an area in which you just know combat will soon ensue. Or, when a combat encounter presents itself, you may be given an opportunity to arbitrarily ...
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1answer
118 views
How to describe combat with brutes
How can I describe combat where player characters face multiple opponents? For example, in 7th Sea there are up to six brutes in a squad. I'd like to have some inspiration for how to describe the ...
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2answers
159 views
Does the Monk's Flurry of Blows trigger mark retribution?
Scenario:
Monk is marked by Fighter.
Monk attacks Fighter.
Monk uses Flurry of Blows on a different creature.
Does the Fighter get to use Combat Challenge to attack the Monk?
UPDATE: I found this ...
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1answer
220 views
Is it still valid to zig-zag an opponent through a wall for multiple hits?
An old D&D 4e trick is to use forced movement to zig-zag your opponent through a wall effect multiple times for multiple hits. As I understand it, the Wall of Fire power specifically has been ...
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1answer
146 views
Extended conflict / bringing down the pain in hardcore dungeoncrawling
Context
I am developing house rules to use Solar system for hardcore dungeoncrawling. I've thus far run one session of the game and combat represented some problems.
Rules-wise
The characters can ...
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0answers
128 views
Why is the Monk class considered sub-par in some games of 3.5? [duplicate]
This question is a combination of theoretical-optimization and practical-optimization. In some games, I acknowledge that the monk can be a fun and flavourful choice. Unfortunately, looking at the ...
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6answers
617 views
Combat system that is less abstract than hit points yet is not more lethal
I have a campaign based on battles with miniatures in mind, with my players controlling the standard "heroes". It should be possible for the players to keep their characters alive through the ...
6
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4answers
253 views
Creating rules for jumping or climbing onto monsters?
Partly inspired by this thread's discussion about creative role-playing and one answer there referring to stunts, I wanted to adapt a similar concept to the fairly rules-strict D&D 4th Edition.
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4answers
2k views
What different styles of LARP combat exist?
I've been seeing a lot of variety in the answer to my questions about LARP, some mentioning NERO and Amtgard. Others saying things about Light-touch and lightest touch. Some conflicted ideas about ...
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4answers
209 views
Is there a system with hit locations where missing hits another location?
This is my first time asking a question. I have only ever played D&D and I am now looking for a very different type of system.
My goal is to have a realistic system to use for a Zombie one-shot. ...
6
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2answers
353 views
How long does “Joker” initiative in Savage Worlds apply?
I'm trying to learn enough Savage Worlds to start running a little experimental game. I keep feeling like the rules are explained poorly, but it may just be that my brain is not ready to learn.
The ...
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2answers
242 views
How would a monk go about throwing a charging enemy?
Everyone's seen that scene in king-fu movies, right? Someone charges the good-guy, and he flips him tail over teakettle. Sometimes the baddy in question gets tossed a foot or two, sometimes he gets ...
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1answer
1k views
Calculating attack bonuses when fighting with two rapiers
In my current campaign the rogue has decided to take Two Weapon Fighting and Improved Two Weapon Fighting. What should the attack modifiers be during a full attack?
His current attack with one rapier ...
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1answer
185 views
Order of actions in combat
Is there a specific order in which move / move-equivalent actions and standard actions should occur during a combat round? I know you can take the 5-foot step at the beginning or the end of the turn, ...
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3answers
320 views
Does a natural 20 initiative roll have any special rules?
I rolled a 20 for initiative in a pickup game today and I realized that I didn't know if that was supposed to be treated specially, like some other rolls treat a natural 20.
Does rolling a natural 20 ...
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2answers
255 views
What is the total net bonus when attacking an unconscious creature?
I've been thinking about unconsciousness and performing a a coup de grâce lately. It came up in our game this past week and I want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly.
Unconscious reads:
...
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2answers
385 views
In D&D 3.5, does Trampling allow you to attack many units in a row?
I was arguing with my DM over if the Trampling special ability allowed you to run over many units. I said that my summoned celestial elephant could run in a straight line and trample all units it runs ...
6
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1answer
104 views
Are grenade attacks made against opposed Fray tests?
Do Throwing Weapons (by using a grenade) attacks require opposed 1/2 Fray tests to connect and damage enemies within the explosion area, like every other ranged attack?
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1answer
180 views
How many things can a player do on his or her round?
I'm just starting out DMing in D&D, using the Moldvay basic rules from 1981.
A player encounters a monster that is 100' away. The player wins initiative and wants to do the following on round 1:
...
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3answers
268 views
What can we do to streamline combat in Deadlands?
I'm a player in a regular Deadlands game. Sessions usually run 4-5 hours, and it seems like at least an hour gets dedicated to a single combat encounter. We have several characters with high dice ...
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8answers
474 views
What do you do when there's nothing to do in combat?
There are a lot of situations in D&D combat where characters seem to be left without anything to do that round. For example, a bard out of inspires and without slashing weapons beset by zombies, ...
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5answers
323 views
Why “roll for initiative” in Pathfinder?
Perhaps related to this other question, what is the point in rolling for initiative in Pathfinder (so far the only RPG I've played)?
It would seem that certain characters would "automatically" ...
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6answers
329 views
What is the most rules intensive system that can be played with no prep?
Having just finished a 4e campaign, I'm interested in running something lighter. I didn't spend much time prepping combats (mainly because I downloaded all my enemies from DDI), but I still had to ...
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2answers
185 views
Does my secondary attack use up my standard action for my turn?
Visions of Avarice
Daily - Arcane, Illusion, Implement, Zone Standard Action
Area burst 5 within 10 squares
Effect: The burst creates a
zone in its origin square. The zone lasts ...
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3answers
2k views
What type of action is sheathing a weapon and equipping another?
I have seen both the "What action type is switching two items between hands" question and the Master at arms feat referenced within.
My question is: Suppose I have an elven cleric with both a mace ...
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2answers
210 views
Frequency of combat encounters in Pathfinder
I'm starting a new self-designed Pathfinder campaign as the DM and I'm unsure how many combat encounters I should plan each session.
The characters will start at level 1. The group consists of 4 ...
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2answers
135 views
How can I gauge the strength of my PCs in Legend?
I've been trying to run Legend on and off lately, and I find myself faced with a frustration. Though I find the Mook rules easy enough to comprehend, I can't seem to create appropriate challenges for ...
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5answers
236 views
How do I get players to use their Interrupts?
Is there a good tool to get plays to remember their immediate interrupts?
(please remember I play D&D4e with kids, so kid specific answers are always appreciated)
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3answers
266 views
Is there any good place on the internet that hosts monster playtests?
I've been a DM for a while for 3.5. I've run many NPC characters, however only a small fraction of monsters out of the books (comparatively). Also, I like to use templates liberally as well as advance ...
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3answers
172 views
Backstabbing multiple times on the same opponent?
Can a thief backstab twice if the opponent is otherwise occupied?
Scenario: Big Bob the fighter has engaged an Ogre in combat. Sneaky the thief moves silently to get behind the ogre and ...
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3answers
311 views
Does a creature lose invisibility after being hit?
Duergar Scouts can turn invisible as a standard action until the end of their next turn or until they hit or miss with an attack. One of the PCs guessed where the monster might be and attacked the ...
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2answers
642 views
What action is it to switch between holding a weapon two-handed, and then wielding it one-handed
I'm planning on building a Gish for the next game I play in, and I was wondering how to best plan the build. I want power attack so I can do damage in combat, and I want to wield the weapon ...
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1answer
363 views
What is added on to secondary attacks with implement powers?
Background: The Wild Magic Sorcerer in my group often uses his at-will power Chaos Bolt. On a hit with an even numbered roll, he gets to make a secondary attack against a creature within 5 squares of ...
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2answers
296 views
Combat Skill Challenges
I've seen a combat run as a skill challenge before, and it worked quite well. I'm wondering, though, if anyone has made more formal rules for a combat skill challenge, beyond "pick main skills and set ...
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1answer
79 views
Can I make my full round multiple attacks with the same weapon?
If I am level 6 with the attack progression +6/+1, can I use the same weapon to attack twice during a full-round action? If I am level 11 and get +11/+6/+1, can I use the same weapon to attack three ...
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1answer
126 views
Does undirected damage require line of sight/effect?
Certain powers cause damage without specifying any conditions about how that damage is dealt. Consider, for example, the following Barbarian Rage Daily Powers:
Earthquake Dragon's Rage
Effect: ...
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3answers
913 views
Is Improved Trip / Combat Reflexes / Elusive Target / Spiked Chain overly powerful?
I have been leading by example and using enemies and custom monsters to show off combat strategies and builds to my players. This has worked pretty well so far – my players have been much more ...
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1answer
1k views
Targets and multiple attacks on a full round action
In DnD 3.5, depending on your base attack bonus, you can use a full round action to perform multiple attacks. I have two questions regarding to targeting:
Assuming one has two attacks:
Can one ...
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3answers
268 views
How can I make GUMSHOE combats more dynamic?
In GUMSHOE what can be done to make the combats more dynamic, more exciting?
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2answers
94 views
How do Called/Aimed Shots interact with the optional Hit Locations rules in A Time of War?
Hit Locations (p. 190 AToW) are an optional rule in A Time of War [Mechwarrior 4th Ed RPG] which alter some of the normal combat rules when in place, such as the effects of injury.
When a players ...
4
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6answers
264 views
Effective use of many close combat characters?
In systems with a square grid, it seems that melee/close combat characters are limited by their numbers. In one of my games we currently have more than five melee characters, and are now being ...
4
votes
4answers
719 views
Is there a way to regain the daily power on a miss?
Missing on a daily power is a big let down and happens, frankly, a lot around our gaming table. Is there a way to introduce a rule that allows regaining the daily on a miss?
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2answers
73 views
Movement & attack in a Combat round question
If a player is say a Wizard and tries her best to avoid melee combat by trying to stay at a safer distance, and the enemies attacking need to attack her with melee weapons, how many feet can the enemy ...
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2answers
104 views
Can terrain shape area affect spells or attacks?
I don't know if this is referenced in the rulebooks or just a matter of houserule, but what happens if someone uses a cone-shaped spell or ability in a corridor that is narrower than the width of the ...
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2answers
287 views
Difference between a crit and extra attacks
In DnD 3.x and related systems, you threaten a critical hit on a natural 20, but then have to confirm the crit by making another to-hit roll. If your followup roll beats the target's AC (or is another ...
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2answers
100 views
Aerial combat in 3.5e
I have a player who is using a homebrew flying race to add to his heal/buff cleric's survivability. He's promising not to use it too much to his advantage, especially because none of us have any ...
