4.2 During Combat in FUDGE Deryni

Combat Round Definition

During this time, each participant can do a small series of actions. Usually, these amount to an attempt at attack and an attempt at defense. The GM is the final arbitrator on how long an action takes, and whether or not any other actions may be taken.

Using the one attack, one defense as a determiner as to what you can accomplish is a good guideline. That is because in three seconds, figuring out more than that would be very hard to do.

Each action must be done with a different item or ability. That means you cannot defend with your sword and then attack with it, although you may use a different item or ability in the place of either the attack or the defense. Using a shield or a second weapon is usually the case here.

Actions in combat are almost always Opposed, even if the other participant is unaware of the attack. This is for simplicity's sake.

Combat Round Order

1. Determine who's fighting who. Combat is broken here into groups. Each PC is in his/her own group for most purposes.
2. In each group, figure out who has the greater weapon length. If there is an advantage in weapon length, that participant gets a +1 to Initiative. (Example: Bob has a Greatsword, and his opponent a Dagger. Bob gets a +1 to his Initiative.)
3. Compare Initiatives of the participants. The highest is given the choice of making his action first, or holding it to react to things that happen that round. If the Initiatives are a tie, than the combatants make an Opposed roll off Initiative until there is someone with an advantage. Unless conditions change, this Initiative will be used throughout the entire combat.
   • Example 1: Bob is fighting a bandit. Bob's Initiative is Good, while the bandit's is Fair. Bob chooses to strike at the bandit first, forcing him to defend with his sword.
   • Example 2: Bob is fighting a bandit. Bob's Initiative is Good and the bandit's is Fair. But Bob knows from last round that his friend is sneaking up on the bandit and plans to do something. Bob chooses to wait, and sees that his friend runs the bandit through from behind. Bob then spends his action to run over to the next target, and is in place the next round rather than having to spend that round running.
   • Example 3: Bob is fighting the new target, whose Initiative is also Good. They roll an Opposed roll, and Bob ends up with a Mediocre, while the bandit is at Great. The bandit goes first and Bob has to react rather than control the action.
4. The Attacker defines his attack (which Skill used, description of the attack), and the Defender determines whether or not he will defend himself, and how. Special Attacks or Special Defenses must be declared at this time.
5. Find results of action:
   • If a Defense is used, make an Opposed roll of Attacker's Skill (frex, Broad Sword or Unarmed Combat Skill) vs. Defender's Skill (frex, Shield Skill or Dodge Skill).
     • Defender wins or ties roll: Attack is successfully defeated (blocked, dodged, etc). and the Defender may make an action if applicable.
     • Attacker wins roll (and attack result was at least Poor): Attack gets by defense. Note the Relative Degree between the attack and the defense. Go to Section 4.3 -- Damage and Wounds to apply damage. If the Defender is still alive, then he may take his action, if applicable.
     • Attacker rolls Terrible or less: Miss.
   • If there is no active Defense, than the Attacker rolls 2 FUDGE dice and determines how good an attack he makes. If the attack was at least at Poor level, then RD is calculated from Poor, and then go to the Section 4.3 Damage and Wounds to determine the results.
6. Finish all groups in this manner, than return to Number 1 for next round.

   Special Attacks

   • Keep in mind that Special Attacks must be declared before dice are rolled, when all actions are determined.
   • Called Shots: This is where you attempt to hit a specific location. In FUDGE Deryni, much about combat is abstracted, and so called shots are better as a mechanism in a more detailed system. But, even in FUDGE Deryni, there will be times when hitting a specific location is important and necessary to the situation. With normal attacks, it is assumed that a strike is meant to kill--aiming for torso or head or some other killing blow. Attacking the arm or hand or some other small specific area requires a Called Shot.

     In order to perform a Called Shot, specify where the Called Shot is aimed for when attacks are announced. Results are determined as if it were a normal attack, taking into account all normal modifiers, unless the Called Shot is actually an attempt to Disarm or Knock Out the Opponent, both of which are special cases. See their sections below.

     The effects of a Called Shot will vary depending upon the situation and final determination is up to the GM. It takes an Incapacitating blow to break the one in question or otherwise render useless any part of the body. A blow to a limb that does Near Death or Dead level of wound will sever the limb in question but will translate into a lesser wound overall.

   • Knocking Out Opponents: Sometimes it is better to render your opponent unconscious rather than merely killing him. Occasionally, this is done just by Incapacitating him or bringing him Near Death through wounds--in other words, hurting him enough to keep him from moving. And that is what Knocking Out Opponents is all about, after all.

     In order to knock out an opponent, you must do exactly an Incapacitating Wound in a manner designed to render unconscious. You must declare this as your attack, and define how you plan to do this (frex, using the flat of your sword to bludgeon). Make the attack, but also make a Strength check to "pull your blow." A Good Strength check will allow you to prevent hitting too hard. Figure out damage as normal, based on the Attack vs DL (assuming the attack was successful at beating defenses). An Incapacitating wound (or better, if the Strength check is made) knocks the opponent out.

     This is not a sure method by any means. Too little damage merely wounds the opponent. Missing the Strength check will kill him if the damage is too great. If the opponent is already injured, he may die anyways. Be prepared for that possibility.

   • Disarm Tactics: A Disarm is where you attempt to knock the opponent's weapon from his hand, rather than attempting to hurt him. To perform a Disarm, the tactic must be announced when all tactics are announced. If the Defender resists, make a Skill vs Skill check, with the appropriate modifiers below plus any for other normal combat activities (such as wounds). If the Attacker wins, then a Strength vs Strength check is made (with only normal modifiers). If for some reason the Defender is not attempting to stop the disarm, then the Attacker makes his Skill check (with disarm and other modifiers), with a Fair or better result succeeding.
     • -1: Disarming a one-handed weapon (Broad sword, Dagger)
     • -2: Disarming a two-handed weapon (Great sword, Quarterstaff)
     • -3: Disarming a weapon or item that is strapped on (Shield)

   Special Defenses

   • Keep in mind that Special Defenses must be declared before any dice are rolled, when actions are determined.
   • Dodge: Dodging allows you to move out of the way of an attack. However, by doing so you must spend some time getting yourself reoriented, and thus have a -1 to any other actions performed this round, and a -1 to your Initative next round, in addition to any modifiers. (Penalty is applied to all actions following the Dodge, not including it).
   • Acrobatics: Acrobatics allow you to Dodge also, but an Acrobatics maneuver is easier to recover from. A Good result or better will allow you to continue without additional penalty. Fair or lower, treat as if it were a normal Dodge. Description of the Acrobatic attempt is important however, as limited space or otherwise hampered movement will prevent some types of acrobatics, and the action must be acrobatic in nature, otherwise it is simple a Dodge. In other words, ducking is always considered a Dodge, while tumbling out of the way is an Acrobatic action.
   • All-Out Defense: This is where the Defender makes no other actions besides defending himself. He can defend against up to two attacks without penalty (after that, see the section on Additional Defenses). If the Defender only has to defend against one attack, he gains a +1 to his defense this round, and a +1 to his Initative and Attack the next. This represents watching your opponent for an opening. If any bonuses used by choosing All-Out Defense are not used as listed above, they are lost. (In other words, you may not keep them across additional rounds).
   • Additional Defenses: Sometimes it is important to try and defend against more than one attack. You may substitute a defense for your attack (See All-Out Defense, above), and/or you may choose to try and defend multiple times. For each additional attempt at defense, a cumulative -1 penalty is applied. Making Additional Defenses is not always possible, due to surprise or location, and the GM is the final arbitrator on that issue.

   Using Deryni powers in Combat

   • The characters in the books talk much about how hard it is to use Deryni Powers effectively in combat. Although that seems to be as much a literary device as it is an actual problem, the following rules help to keep the game in the same feel as the books.
   • Using or maintaining Deryni powers (including Heightened Senses) incur a -1 penalty to all other actions that round, and the use of the power itself.
   • Any active actions (actual fighting, running, yelling commands) require a Meditation check to keep the power active (also at a -1).
   • Also, you cannot get back Power fatigue until you rest after combat.