pvgttm-web/src/pages/rules/combat.md

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title	description	date_pub	section	content_type	short_code
HOSR Core Rules: Combat	The rules for running combat in HOSR.	2023-04-22T16:42:00-04:00	rules	feature	uhc

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Combat Procedure

Adventurers tend to die easily, so most combat should be avoided unless the adventurers have a clear advantage.

That having been said, fights do occur, and when they do, the following steps are performed:

1. Declare Spells, Special Attacks, Defending, and Retreats: Players declare if they will cast a spell, use a special attack, defend, or retreat this round (and, if so, which type of retreat).

2. Roll Initiative: Each side that can attack rolls 1d20, highest roll attacks first.

   • Tie goes to the party side.

3. Winning Side Actions: Each character or monster gets a move and an action, with either one occurring first.

   • Morale Check: Creatures who've been severely wounded or seen their leaders killed may flee.

     • Roll 2d6 under morale score or the monsters surrender / flee.
       • After 2 successes in a fight, no further checks required.
     • When to check morale:
       • After the first death on a side, and
       • When a side is half killed or incapacitated.

   • Move: Move up to full speed

     • If prone, use 1/2 movement to stand up.
     • If engaged with an enemy at the start of the move, must make a fighting retreat or enemy gets free attack.
     • If moving before an attack, up to 10' of movement can be "saved" to use after the attack finishes.

   • Action: Do something, like attack, defend, cast a spell, or stowe an item.

     • Spellcasters can move before casting a spell, but can't move after casting one.

4. Change Sides: Opposing side becomes active.

   • If more than 2 sides are fighting, the side with the next highest initiative roll becomes active.

5. Slow Weapons: Resolve any slow weapons or end-of-round abilities.

6. Repeat: Return to step 2 and repeat until only one side remains.

Readying Weapons

• Available weapons may be readied for free while moving (if hands are empty or currently held items are dropped).
• Stowing held weapons takes a full action.

Attacking

Roll 1d20 plus any appropriate modifiers. If it equals or beats the target's AC, roll for damage (again including any appropriate modifiers).

• +2 bonus to hit from behind (if victim is unaware).
• When mounted, +1 bonus to hit most foes on foot.

AC

• Character AC is usually determined by type of armor worn.
• Shields grant +1 AC when used.
  • Can also be sacrificed (shattered) to prevent a hit from inflicting damage.

Fantasy Armor

Armor Type	AC
None	10
Padded / Hide	11
Leather	12
Studded Leather	13
Chainmail	14
Half-Plate	15
Full Plate	16

[Fantasy Armor AC]

Modern Armor

Armor Type	AC
None	10
Weave	11
Leather / Textile	12
Light Body Vest	13
Heavy Body Vest	14
Armored Longcoat	15
Tactical Body Armor	16
Military Body Armor	17

[Modern Armor AC]

Holding Attacks

Rather than attacking, characters can move into position and hold attacks until a specific trigger occurs (ex: covering a door and only attacking if someone comes through).

• If the trigger occurs before the character's side gets initiative again, they may make a single free attack.

Melee Attacks

Melee attack rolls are modified based on the character's Strength.

STR	Mod
3	-3
4-5	-2
6-8	-1
9-12	+0
13-15	+1
16-17	+2
18+	+3

[Strength Modifier]

• Melee attacks are usually limited to 5' range.
• Characters in melee combat with each other or other monsters are said to be engaged.
• Unarmed attacks do 1d2 damage by default.

Dual Wielding

PCs with DEX 13+ can dual wield certain weapons.

• When using 2 Light weapons, may make an attack with each one.
• When using a one-handed weapon and a Light weapon, may only make one attack, but +1 to the attack and damage rolls.

Ranged Attacks

Ranged attack rolls are modified based on the character's Dexterity, the target's cover, and the range to the target.

DEX	Mod
3	-3
4-5	-2
6-8	-1
9-12	+0
13-15	+1
16-17	+2
18+	+3

[Dexterity Modifier]

• -1 to -4 penalties may apply when attacking targets behind partial cover.
  • Targets behind total cover cannot be hit.
• Ranged attacks within 5' are made with disadvantage.
• Attacks beyond long range are not possible.

Range	Mod
Short	+1
Medium	--
Long	-1

[Range Modifier]

Critical Hits

A natural 20 on an attack is a critical hit. Roll 1d20 on the Critical Hit Table to see what additional effect occurs.

1d20	Effect
1-2	Max Damage
3	Max Damage + Free Attack
4	Max Damage + Target Fumbles
5	Max Damage + Target Blinded
6	Double Damage
7	Double Damage + Free Attack
8	Double Damage + Target Fumbles
9	Double Damage + Target Blinded
10	Double Max Damage
11	Triple Damage
12	Triple Damage + Free Attack
13	Triple Damage + Target Fumbles
14	Triple Damage + Target Blinded
15	Triple Max Damage
16	Quadruple Max Damage
17	Max Damage + Armor Damaged
18	Max Damage + Target Amputation
19	Max Damage + Target Stunned
20	Target Must Save vs. Death or Die

[Critical Hit Table]

Free Attack

Attacker may attempt another hit with same weapon.

Target Fumbles

Target must roll on Fumble table.

Target Blinded

Blood or debris renders target blinded for 1d4 rounds.

Armor Damaged

Target's AC is reduced by 1 until armor is repaired or healed.

Target Amputation

Target loses an appendage, roll 1d6 (or as appropriate) to determine which one:

1. left arm
2. right arm
3. left leg
4. right leg
5. tail / other / roll again
6. head (decapitation)

Target Stunned

Blow stuns target for 1d6 rounds.

Fumbles

A natural 1 on an attack is a fumble. Roll 1d20 on the Fumble Table to see what additional effect occurs.

1d20	Effect
1	Stumble, weapon breaks
2	Stumble, automatic hit on closest ally within 10'1
3	Stumble, next attack against is automatic critical hit
4	Stumble, can't attacks until end of next round
5	Stumble, can't attack until next round
6	Stumble, next attack against is automatic hit
7	Stumble, hit self for maximum damage1
8	Stumble, hit self for regular damage1
9	Stumble, all rolls next round get -2
10	Stumble, go last in initiative next round
11	Fall down (prone) and drop weapon 30' away
12	Fall down (prone) and drop weapon 20' away
13	Fall down (prone) and drop weapon 10' away
14	Fall down (prone) and drop weapon nearby
15	Fall down (prone)
16	Drop weapon 30' away
17	Drop weapon 20' away
18	Drop weapon 10' away
19	Drop weapon at feet
20	Fumble weapon, but maintain hold

[Fumble Table]

Defending

Spend a round fighting defensively (parrying, blocking, dodging, feinting, etc.). Gets +2 AC. Can be used with Fighting Retreat.

Movement

Most characters can move 40' in a combat round.

• When Engaged: Can't move away from foe without retreating.
• When Prone: Use 1/2 movement to stand up.

Retreating

Engaged characters that wish to move away can either make a fighting retreat, or a full retreat.

• Fighting Retreat: Can move backwards at 1/2 their normal movement rate and take an attack or defend action, while avoiding giving enemies a free attack.
• Full Retreat: Turning and fleeing from combat at their full movement rate, enemies can make a free attack at +2 bonus.

Weapons

• One-handed weapons are weapons that may be wielded with one hand (ex: no weapons with "Two-handed", but includes weapons with "Versatile").

Melee Weapons

Weapon	Damage	Properties
Battle Axe	1d8	Versatile (1d10)
Blackjack	1d2	Blunt, Stealth
Chain Whip	1d6	Entangle, Reach
Chain Whip, Spiked	1d8	Entangle, Reach
Club	1d4	Blunt, Light
Dagger	1d4	Light, Thrown (10' / 20' / 30')
Flail	1d6
Garotte	1d4	Entangle, Stealth, Two-handed
Greatclub	1d8	Blunt, Two-handed
Greatsword	1d12	Slow, Two-handed
Hand Axe	1d4	Light, Thrown (10' / 20' / 30')
Javelin	1d6	Thrown (30'/ 60' / 90')
Katana	1d10	Two-handed, Versatile (1d12)
Lajatang	2d4	Two-handed, Versatile (1d12)
Lance	1d6	Charge
Light Hammer	1d4	Blunt, Light, Thrown (10' / 20' / 30')
Longsword	1d8	Versatile (1d10)
Mace	1d6	Blunt
Morningstar	1d8
Net	0	Blunt, Entangle, Thrown (10' / 20' / 30'), Two-handed
Nunchaku	2d4	Blunt, Two-handed
Pickaxe	1d8	Slow, Two-handed
Polearm	1d10	Reach, Slow, Two-handed
Rapier	1d8
Scimitar	1d6	Thrown (10' / 20' / 30')
Sickle	1d4	Light
Shortsword	1d6
Spear	1d6	Thrown (20' / 40' / 60') , Versatile (1d8)
Spiked Chain	1d4	Entangle, Two-handed, Versatile (1d6)
Staff	1d4	Blunt, Versatile (1d6)
Trident	1d6	Thrown (10' / 20' / 30') , Versatile (1d8)
Warhammer	1d6	Blunt, Versatile (1d8)
Whip	1d4	Entangle, Reach

[Melee Weapons]

Melee Weapon Details

• Blackjack: On successful hit, target must Save vs Paralyze or be knocked unconscious for 1d6 turns.
• Garotte: While target is entangled, inflicts damage automatically each round, can be used for Sneak Attack.
• Net: Big enough for 6' humanoid creature, larger nets may require more handlers.
• Polearm: Includes any weapon with a long pole tipped with a cutting / spearing weapon (ex: Glaive, Halberd, Pike).
• Whip: On a successful hit, may either inflict damage OR entangle.

Traditional Ranged Weapons

Weapon	Damage	Range	Properties
Blowgun	1	25' / 50' / 100'	Ammunition (Blowdart), Reload (1)
Bolas	1d2	20' / 40' / 60'	Blunt, Entangle
Crossbow, Hand	1d4	20' / 40' / 80'	Ammunition (Crossbow bolt), Light, Reload (1)
Crossbow, Heavy	1d8	80' / 160' / 240'	Ammunition (Crossbow bolt), Reload (1), Slow, Two-handed
Crossbow, Light	1d6	40' / 80' / 120'	Ammunition (Crossbow bolt), Reload (1), Two-handed
Dart	1d4	10' / 20' / 30'
Great Bow	1d8	70' / 140' / 210'	Ammunition (Arrow), Slow, Two-handed
Longbow	1d6	70' / 140' / 210'	Ammunition (Arrow), Two-handed
Net	0	10' / 20' / 30'	Blunt, Entangle, Two-handed
Shortbow	1d6	50' / 100' / 150'	Ammunition (Arrow), Two-handed
Sling	1d4	40' / 80' / 160'	Ammunition (Stone or Bullet), Blunt

[Traditional Ranged Weapons]

Traditional Ranged Weapon Details

• Sling: Typically uses stones, bullets add +1 damage (1d4+1 total).

Firearms

In a dungeon, all firearms gain the Loud property unless specifically silenced.

Weapon	Damage	Range	Properties
Grenade Launcher	4d6	40' / 80' / 120'	Ammunition (Grenade), Reload (1), Special, Two-Handed
Machine Gun	2d12	125' / 250' / 375'	Ammunition (Rifle cartridge), Mounted, Reload (30), Spread, Two-Handed
Needler	2d6+1	50' / 100' / 150'	Ammunition (Needles), Reload (30), Spread
Pistol, Light	2d3	50' / 100' / 150'	Ammunition (Handgun cartridge), Concealed, Light, Reload (2)
Pistol	2d4	50' / 100' / 150'	Ammunition (Handgun cartridge), Light, Reload (15)
Revolver	2d4+1	50' / 100' / 150'	Ammunition (Handgun cartridge), Reload (6)
Rifle, Assault	2d8	100' / 200' / 300'	Ammunition (Rifle cartridge), Reload (30), Spread, Two-handed
Rifle, Hunting	2d8	150' / 300' / 450'	Aim, Ammunition (Rifle cartridge), Reload (6), Two-handed
Rifle, Sniper	2d10	200' / 400' / 600'	Aim, Ammunition (Rifle cartridge), Reload (1), Two-handed
Shotgun	2d8	50' / 100' / 150'	Ammunition (Shotgun shell), Point Blank, Reload (6), Spread, Two-handed
Sub-Machine Gun	2d6	50' / 100' / 150'	Ammunition (Handgun cartridge), Reload (30), Spread
Rocket Launcher	5d6	100' / 200' / 300'	Ammunition (Rocket), Reload (1), Two-Handed

[Firearms]

Firearms Details

• Grenade Launcher: Rather than attacking, pick target point up to 120' away and use an action to make a DEX skill check. On a success, the grenade hits that spot. On a fail, roll 1d8 to determine which direction the grenade landed (relative to the target, starting from directly in front of them and moving clockwise), and 1d6 to determine how far away (multiply by 5').
• Rocket Launcher: On a miss, starting with the nearest creature to the target, each creature directly behind the target (relative to the launcher's wielder, but still within range of the rocket launcher) must Save or be inadvertently hit by the rocket. If everyone avoids the rocket but it was fired in an enclosed space, it strikes the nearest wall instead.

Weapon Properties

!!!include(rules/weapon-properties.md)!!!

Explosives

Most lobbed explosives (bombs, dynamite, grenades, etc.) work the same way:

• Wielder picks a target spot within 60' and uses a combat action to make a DEX check.
  • On a success, the explosive lands in the spot and explodes as expected.
  • On a fail, determine where the explosive landed.
    • Roll 1d8 to determine which direction from the intended target it went (relative to the thrower, starting from directly in front of them and moving clockwise).
    • Roll 1d6 and multiply the result by 5' to determine how far away from the target spot the explosive landed.

Bombs

• Can be lit and thrown as above.
• When detonated, causes 3d6 damage to all creatures within 5' (Save for half-damage).
• Can be found throughout the multiverse.

Dynamite

• Can be lit and thrown as above.
• When detonated, a single stick causes 3d6 damage to all creatures within 5' (Save for half-damage).
• Sticks may be bound together to increase explosive power.
  • Damage increases by 1d6 per stick beyond the first, up to 10d6.
  • Blast radius increases by 5' per stick beyond the first, up to 20'.
• Fuses can be extended so the detonation occurs after a specific amount of time (ex: after 6 rounds).
  • At the end of each round, decrease the remaining time by 1.
  • When the timer reaches 0, the detonation occurs.
• Can only be found on industrialized planes.

Grenades

• Can either be thrown as or launched from a grenade launcher (extending range to 120').
• Types of Grenades
  • Fragmentation: Detonates on impact sending shrapnel in all directions.
    • All creatures within 20' of where the grenade landed take 4d6 damage, Save for half-damage.
  • Poison Gas: One combat round after the grenade lands, it creates a cloud of deadly gas around it.
    • All creatures within 20' of where the grenade landed must Save or die.
    • Gas remains for an additional 10 seconds (1 combat round), so that any creatures in the affected area at the end of the following combat round must Save or or die (even if they already saved once).
  • Sleeping Gas: One combat round after the grenade lands, it creates a cloud of sleep-inducing gas.
    • All creatures within 20' of where the grenade landed must Save or fall asleep for 2d4 turns.
    • Gas remains for an additional 10 seconds (1 combat round), so that any creatures in the affected area at the end of the following combat round must Save or fall asleep for 2d4 turns (even if they already saved once).
  • Smoke: One combat round after the grenade lands, it creates a thick cloud of smoke.
    • Heavily obscures the area within 20' of where the grenade landed.
    • Lingers for 1 minute (6 combat rounds) unless blown away.
      • A moderate wind (at least 10 mph) clears area in 3 rounds.
      • A strong wind (at least 20 mph) clears area in 1 round.
• Can only be found on industrialized planes.

Gunpowder

• When lit on fire, instantly detonates.
  • An exploding ounce of gunpowder flares for 1 combat round, casting bright in a 30' radius and dim light for an additional 30'.
  • An exploding powder horn causes 3d6 damage to all creatures within 10' (Save for half-damage).
  • An exploding powder keg causes 6d6 damage to all creatures within 20' (Save for half-damage).
• Can be found throughout the multiverse.

!!!include(license/wotc-cc-by.md)!!!

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1. Automatic Hits: Roll 1d20 to check for critical, but ignore further fumbles. ↩︎