Swashbuckling Style OD&D Combat

[vladtolenkov]

Okay, a while back I was playing around with running a version of the old Fantasy Games Unlimited game Flashing Blades, and I created an extensive house rules document so I wouldn't have to deal with the rulebook so much.

It occured to me looking over this document that since the system uses a D20 it could easily be adapted to OD&D/AD&D/S&W etc. This changes the D&D combat system in some significant ways, but I think it could yield some interesting results.

The key thing here is that the players must record their two actions for the round in some way. I made up a set of index card with the various actions on them and the players selected the ones they wanted and put them face down on the table. The actions are kept secret until the round begins. Defensive modifiers are applied as per the table below.

Parry: If the character chooses to parry as their defensive action they must make a successful to hit roll against their opponent. If they are successful then they take no damage against the attack. They must also make a guess as to what strike their opponent is making (lunge, thrust, or slash). If they guess successfully they receive a +3 to their parry roll.

Characters may also perform a reaction parry at a -6 to their roll. This a last ditch defense move, but it has the advantage of not counting as an action.


Note: These modifiers subtract from the attacker's roll. If they choose no defensive actions then the modifiers on the defensive actions table obviously don't apply!

Does this sound workable in OD&D?

I'm not sure how this system might impact classes etc. Should fighting men (and maybe thieves) receive some sort of bonus?

Attachments:

[Finarvyn]

Oct 2, 2009 11:11:40 GMT -6 vladtolenkov said:

Does this sound workable in OD&D?

I think it would be workable, yes.

I like the two-action idea because a character could move-act, move twice, or act twice. Gives the players more options.

However, while I think that the concept of Parry rules is neat, keep in mind that the net effect is to potentially slow down the action since there are more rolls and counter-rolls. The more characters in play, the more slowdown.

I tend to adjust AC instead becaue it fits in nice with the regular OD&D combat charts with minimal changes needed, but I can see where a Parry system could add to the Swachbuckley feel of the game.

Let us know if you test it out.

[coffee]

Oct 2, 2009 11:52:24 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

I like the two-action idea because a character could move-act, move twice, or act twice. Gives the players more options.

I dunno. The way I read it, first you move, and then you get two actions. Since it's for a swashbuckling game and not straight D&D, this does kinda make sense to me. Although I wonder about having two actions when one of them is Melee Attack (polearm)...

I haven't really read it in detail yet, but it looks like it could be workable.

[irdaranger]

Does the game system provide any clue as to whether your opponent is going to make a lunge, thrust, or slash? Because if not, why not just roll a d3 to see if you get the bonus or not? It's just as random and faster.

[vladtolenkov]

Fin: Yes, this is all going to slow down combat. Incorporating parry as a modifier to armor class might speed things up, and it certainly seems more in keeping with the D&D system. These charts just add a few more tactical bits.

Also: feel free to lose the extra modifiers at the bottom of the page if they're too fiddly. I think the defensive maneuvers chart and the combat procedure as outlined can work well without the extra modifiers.

coffee: Yes, the FB system has you move at the beginning of your turn. Maybe a polearm attack uses both actions?

irdaranger: I think that the idea is if you're fighting someone then the GM/DM decides what the opponent is doing and should have recorded the actions and revealed them at the same time as the player. I suppose if that process seems arbitrary then there's no reason you couldn't just randomly determin the opponent's strike.

You could also do what Ars Magica used to do: you use the default (and simpler) combat system for most encounters, but if you really want some good detail when you're fighting a main villain you can substitute the more complicated "dueling" system. Just a thought.

[Finarvyn]

Well...if it's a move, then two action system -- why not make it a 3 action system where movement can be an action?

So a move-move-move would be the same as having a character at a full sprint. A character could have the move-move-parry option if they wanted to move quickly but save something for potential defense.

At the other end of the spectrum could be a character who stands his ground but chooses attack-attack-attack. Or, go with attack-move-move for a last strike before a quick getaway.

This clearly changes the dymanic of combat, but allows for more tactical options.

If you tried this, I would allow for a person with a parry to re-arrange it as needed. In my move-move-parry example, if the character gets attacked in the second phase he could adjust the parry to become move-parry-move. It would be dumb to be attacked in the first phase but get no parry, be attacked in the second phase again without a parry, then parry during a phase when no attack was launched.

Or, you could allow for a character to substitute a parry for another action at any time. So a move-move-move character decides to try to defend himself along the way, which drops him to a move-parry-move and effectively slows him down. If no attack occurs he can continue with full sprint mode.

This may be too far removed from the original system. Just ideas that popped into my brain.