COMBAT RULES

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Combat Rules

1. Combat overview

Combat is divided into rounds. Each round is 10 seconds. Every participant acts once per round in turn order until one side yields, flees, or is defeated.

2. Initiative

At the start of combat, each side rolls one Initiative roll. The higher result decides which side acts first that round. Within a side, players choose order or the GM assigns it. Initiative is re-rolled each new round.

3. Turn structure

Each turn allows:

1 Major Action (attack, cast a spell, special ability, dash, use item)

1 Minor Action (draw or ready a weapon, reload, interact)

1 Movement (up to movement allowance)

1 Reaction (used outside of turn, limited to once per round, Must have available minor action to dodge, major action to parry and opportunity attack!)

Movement can be split before and after the major action.

4. Attacking

Roll a d20 + the stat tied to your class.

Compare to the target’s Armor Class (descending scale).

On a hit, roll weapon damage dice and apply modifiers.

Natural 20 = critical hit, double weapon damage dice.

Natural 1 = fumble, GM assigns a mishap.

5. Skills and ability checks

Skill checks are rolled directly against the stat of the skill. No difficulty classes are used.

Fighters: Strength or Constitution

Mages: Intelligence

Clerics: Wisdom or Constitution

Roll a d20 and add the governing stat. GM compares results to circumstance or an opposing roll.

6. Communication rolls

Communication uses 2d6 + Charisma modifier. The GM interprets the results by range.

7. Damage types

Physical: Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing

Magical: any elemental or energy type such as fire, cold, lightning, necrotic, radiant, acid
Resistances, vulnerabilities, or immunities apply after damage is rolled.

8. Armor Class

AC begins at 10 for an unarmored human. Armor reduces this number. Example: plate armor (–3) lowers AC from 10 to 7. Shields and magical effects reduce further. Lower AC is better.

9. Saving throws

Five saving throws are used:

Breath (B)

Death (D)

Poison (P)

Spells (S)

Explosives (E)

To resolve, roll a d20 + modifier for that save. Success or failure is determined by the effect as set by the GM.

10. Movement and reach

Weapons have reach (melee usually 5 ft, polearms 10 ft). Leaving an enemy’s reach triggers an opportunity attack. Difficult terrain halves movement.

11. Reactions

One reaction may be used per round for actions such as parries, counters, or strikes when triggered.

12. Conditions

Stunned: cannot act, automatically fail Strength-based checks, attacks against you have advantage.

Prone: melee attackers gain advantage; ranged attackers have disadvantage.

Restrained: cannot move, attacks against you have advantage.

Blinded: your attacks are at disadvantage; attacks against you have advantage.

Frightened or Poisoned: apply penalties as determined by GM.

13. Criticals and fumbles

Natural 20: critical hit, double weapon damage dice.

Natural 1: fumble, mishap as determined by GM.

14. Multi-attacks

If a class or creature has multiple attacks, they are all resolved during the Major Action.

15. Healing

In combat: Major Action to consume potion or use healing ability.

Out of combat: short rest restores partial HP, long rest restores full HP.

Stabilizing: Wisdom (Medicine) check stabilizes a downed ally.

16. Dying and death

At 0 HP, a character is downed. Each round roll a d20:

10 or higher = success. 3 successes stabilize at 1 HP.

9 or lower = failure. 3 failures result in death.
Damage equal to max HP while at 0 causes instant death.

17. Area effects

Spells and explosives affect all creatures in the area. Each makes a saving throw based on the effect. On success, targets take half damage unless stated otherwise.

18. Morale

If a major event occurs such as a leader falling, creatures may test morale. Roll a d20 + leadership modifiers. A failed result may cause retreat, panic, or surrender.

19. Quick reference

Initiative: party vs party each round

Attack: d20 + stat vs descending AC

Damage: weapon dice + modifiers

Skills: d20 + governing stat

Communication: 2d6 + Charisma

Saves: d20 + stat vs Breath, Death, Poison, Spells, Explosives

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Combat Movement and Weapon Maneuvers Chart

Action / Situation	Description	Bonus / Penalty	Notes
Combat Charge	Move at least 20 ft in a straight line into melee and strike.	+2 to hit, –1 to ac from flanks	Requires full movement. Leaves you open after strike.
Weapon brace	Spend 1 turn bracing weapon (polearm, spear, two-hander) before attack.	+4 damage on next attack	Attack must be made on following turn; cannot move while bracing.
Push / Shove	Major Action to drive target back 5–10 ft (opposed Strength).	+1 to hit if target against obstacle	On success, target moves. On fail, you lose Action.
Shield Bash	Use shield as blunt strike instead of normal attack.	+2 to hit, chance to knock target Prone	If knockdown attempted, roll opposed Strength.
Defense Wall	Form defensive rank with shields or weapons locked.	+4 AC to front line	Requires at least 2 allies with shields/weapons standing side by side.
Guarded Step	Careful 5 ft movement without provoking opportunity attacks.	No bonus, avoids penalty	Costs Minor Action.
Rush Between	Move through two adjacent enemies’ threatened areas.	–3 AC until next turn, but open flank to enemies you rush between	High risk maneuver.
High Ground (Upper)	Attacking from elevated terrain.	+2 to hit	Requires at least 5 ft elevation.
High Ground (Superior)	Attacking from much higher elevation (ledge, tower, mounted).	+4 to hit	Requires 10 ft+ elevation.
Lower Ground	Attacking upward against opponent.	–2 to hit	If more than 10 ft lower, penalty is –4.
Flanking	Attack made with ally directly opposite target.	+2 to hit	Must be melee, both attackers adjacent.
Surround	Target engaged on 3+ sides by enemies.	+4 to hit	Applies to all attackers around target.
Retreat Step	Withdraw 10 ft while defending.	+2 AC until next turn	Uses Major Action instead of attack.
Leap Strike	Leap into target with melee weapon.	-1 to hit, +2 damage	Requires at least 10 ft approach space.

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Ranged Combat Maneuvers & Situations Chart

Action / Situation	Description	Bonus / Penalty	Notes
Aimed Shot	Spend a Minor Action to carefully aim before firing.	+2 to hit	Must remain stationary this turn.
Braced Shot	Use Major Action to brace weapon against wall, ground, or stand.	+4 to hit, –2 AC	Works with crossbows, rifles, or heavy bows. Vulnerable while braced.
Quick Shot	Fire rapidly without full draw or aim.	–2 to hit, +1 attack (if weapon allows)	Damage is reduced by 1 die size.
Volley Fire	Multiple ranged attackers target same area or formation.	+2 to hit for each attacker after the first	Must target same group or zone.
Suppressive Fire	Continuous ranged fire to keep targets down.	–2 to hit, but target at –2 AC next turn	Target may choose to go prone to ignore effect.
Point-Blank Shot	Fire at target within 10 ft.	+2 to hit, but provoke melee reaction	Ranged weapons are awkward in close quarters.
Moving Shot	Fire while moving in the same turn.	–4 to hit	Penalty stacks if terrain is rough.
Elevated Position (Upper)	Attacking from higher ground (5–10 ft).	+2 to hit	Requires stable perch.
Elevated Position (Superior)	Firing from much higher ground (10+ ft, tower, ridge).	+4 to hit	Line of sight may be limited by cover.
Firing from Lower Ground	Shooting at target above you.	–2 to hit	–4 if more than 10 ft elevation difference.
Cover Shot	Firing around corner, barricade, or half cover.	–2 to hit	Keeps attacker at +2 AC until next turn.
Crossfire	Two ranged attackers fire at same target from opposite sides.	+3 to hit	Must have line of sight on both sides.
Long-Range Shot	Attacking past normal weapon range but within max range.	–4 to hit	Can apply Aimed Shot bonus at this distance.
Close Volley	Thrown weapon at target within 10 ft.	+1 to hit, +1 damage	Works with axes, daggers, spears.
Distraction Shot	Fire at terrain, objects, or near feet to distract enemy.	No damage, but target at –2 to next roll	Requires GM judgment on effect.

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Cover, Visibility, and Environment Chart

Condition / Situation	Description	Bonus / Penalty	Notes
Half Cover	Target partially behind wall, barricade, tree.	+2 AC	Attacker can still see most of target.
Three-Quarter Cover	Target behind larger obstacle (arrow slit, narrow gap).	+4 AC	Only small part exposed.
Full Cover	Target completely behind solid obstacle.	Cannot be targeted directly	May be hit by area effects or indirect fire.
Concealment (Light Fog, Brush)	Target partially obscured.	–2 to hit	Does not stack with cover.
Heavy Concealment (Dense Fog, Smoke, Darkness)	Target heavily obscured.	–6 to hit	Attacks may miss entirely if GM rules.
Bright Light / Clear Air	Normal visibility.	No modifier	Standard condition.
Dim Light / Twilight	Harder to see detail.	–1 to hit	Applies to all attack rolls relying on sight.
Darkness / Blind Fighting	Target unseen.	–4 to hit, attacker rolls disadvantage	Can still hear or sense location.
Underwater (Melee)	Swinging is slowed.	–2 to hit, –2 damage	Spears and thrusting weapons ignore penalty.
Underwater (Ranged)	Projectiles slowed immediately.	–8 to hit, max range 20 ft	Crossbows only suffer –2 penalty.
Flying Attacker vs Ground Target	Attacking downward from flight.	+4 to hit	Line of sight and angle advantage.
Ground Attacker vs Flying Target	Attacking upward at airborne target.	–4 to hit	More severe if 10+ ft difference, –6.
High Wind (Ranged)	Strong gusts push shots.	–2 to hit	–4 if firing beyond short range.
Rain / Snow (Light)	Slight interference with sight.	–1 to hit	Does not stack with dim light.
Heavy Storm / Blizzard	Severe visibility penalty.	–3 to hit	May also halve movement speed.
Slippery Ground (Ice, Mud)	Harder to keep balance.	–2 to melee attacks, –2 AC	Movement halved unless balanced.
Elevated Perch (Stable)	Attacker fires or strikes from raised, secure ground.	+2 to hit	Must be solid footing.
Elevated Perch (Unstable)	Attacker perched on tree, ledge, rooftop.	+2 to hit, –2 AC	Risk of falling on fumble.

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