Combat Tags
Every weapon, armor, or magical attack will have at least one tag attached to it. Combat tags serve two purposes: to inform the narrative, and to determine how something is wielded. Tags sometimes interplay in complicated ways, such as the weapon tags.
feet for those with a negative STR modifier.
Weapon Tags
Tags on weapons inform how the weapon is used mechanically.
Melee vs Ranged
Unless the Engineer feature Jerry-Rig is applied, a weapon can either be tagged as melee OR ranged. Melee weapons are used in close combat, and their attack bonus is typically STR unless tagged as finesse. Ranged weapons are used to make attacks from a distance, and their attack bonus is typically DEX unless tagged as brute.Light vs Heavy
A weapon can either be tagged as light OR heavy; Jerry-Rig cannot be used to apply both simultaneously. Light weapons are those wielded with one hand and deal 1d4 or 1d6 damage, while heavy weapons require two hands and deal 1d8 or 1d10 damage.Simple vs Complex
Some weapons may be tagged as simple or complex. Simple weapons are, of course, extremely simple, with only one or two parts. Complex weapons, on the other hand, involve many parts. Simple ranged weapons deal 1d4 or 1d6 damage, while complex ranged weapons deal 1d8 or 1d10 damage and may require a second action to reload.Brute vs Finesse
Unless the Engineer feature Jerry-Rig is applied, a weapon can either be tagged as brute or finesse. Brute is applied to ranged weapons to override their standard attack modifier of DEX with STR, while finesse overrides the STR modifier of melee weapons with DEX.Improvised
The improvised tag is a special tag that denotes a weapon as temporary. An improvised weapon may not survive through the entire fight.Armor Tags
Tags on armor inform the mechanical properties of the armor.
Light vs Heavy
Armor can either be tagged as light OR heavy. Light armor is typically of flexible construction, does not hamper movement, and provides a base +1 to your AC. Heavy armor is often more rigid, providing a base +3 to your AC but hindering movement by -10feet for those with a negative STR modifier.
Metallic vs Organic
Armor can either be tagged as metallic OR organic. Organic armor, made of animal or plant matter, does not hamper stealth and provides an additional +1 to your AC. Metallic armor provides an additional +2 to your AC, but hinders stealth. Stealth decrease is -2 for light metallic armor, and -4 for heavy metallic armor.Simple vs Complex
Armor may be tagged as simple or complex. Simple armor is easy to repair if damaged in combat, while complex armor is not.Damage Tags
Damage tags inform the mechanical effects of an attack. They are split into two types: mundane and magic.
Mundane Damage Tags
Mundane damage can be inflicted by magical or nonmagical attacks, depending on the type of magic used.
DAMAGE TAG | EFFECT |
---|---|
Slashing | Laceration |
Piercing | Puncture |
Bludgeoning | Blunt force trauma |
Poison | Internal deterioration |
Acid | External deterioration |
Magic Damage Tags
Magic damage is inflicted almost exclusively by magical attacks, though some nonmagical attacks may inflict tags on this list.
DAMAGE TAG | EFFECT |
---|---|
Heat | Burn (or ignition) |
Cold | Frostbite (or flash-freeze) |
Shock | Electrocution (or disintegration) |
Radiant | Burn + blindness (or vaporization) |
Necrotic | Rot (or dissolution) |
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