House Rules

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House Rules

Combat

Every Campaign has its own version of initiative. Ours is definitely self generated. We use a segment system- not second by second, but definitely not what's defined in any Rolemaster book. Each action is assigned a point cost based on a 6 second/40 point round. The chart is available via email. The combat begins by someone declaring initiative- i.e., someone is attacking someone else. Initiative is determined by 5d10 plus the average of IN and QU bonuses plus level. The players nearly always "zero" to the GM's initiative- the PC's are reacting to a threat. It is possible to react faster than the threat. This is reflected by a "negative" initiative. For example:

GM initiative: 36

PC initiative: - 50

= -14

The PC can begin declaring action in the "neg tens." Say this PC wants to cast a Class II spell, which takes 50 points. The spell will actually go off at 36. Let's say, though, that the PC's initiative was a 30 (bad dice, no cookie). Then the PC wouldn't be able to declare any action until the "twenties" segment. Assuming the PC still wants to cast a Class II spell, that spell would go off in the 70's.

Confusing? Maybe. There's all kinds of supplemental rules- like instantaneous spells go off right away, but there's a "recovery" time of 10 points (one segment) plus half the level of the spell. During recovery, no other magic may be used, including items.

Sniping/Called Shots

I have never been happy with the rules presented for targeting a specific area of the body. Most of them were very numbers intensive and just seemed like too much mental energy and game time to bother with. Besides, as a one-time fencer, I know that even a novice has a chance at putting the point where you want it to go. Hence, our called-shot rule:

For every level you have developed in a specific weapon (not category), there is a 5% chance you can put it where you want it. Yes, this translates into a 100% chance at 20th level. However- the skill of your opponent can change your chances. Simply subtract the skill level of your opponent from your own, and what's left is your % chance:

PC skill level: 15

NPC skill level: 5

% chance of calling the shot: 15-5= 10

x.05

50%

The PC must declare a called shot at the beginning of the attack. The attack is rolled normally. The attack must hit and score a critical. Then the % chance is rolled. If the % chance is successful, then the PC may adjust the critical up or down 2 points for every skill rank in the weapon, like ambush. If the called shot fails, the attack has failed and the PC missed entirely.

More to come!


	The Pious Drake \| home The Pious Drake \| Timeline \| Characters \| NPC's \| Items \| Annals \| House Rules \| GMly things House Rules Combat Every Campaign has its own version of initiative. Ours is definitely self generated. We use a segment system- not second by second, but definitely not what's defined in any Rolemaster book. Each action is assigned a point cost based on a 6 second/40 point round. The chart is available via email. The combat begins by someone declaring initiative- i.e., someone is attacking someone else. Initiative is determined by 5d10 plus the average of IN and QU bonuses plus level. The players nearly always "zero" to the GM's initiative- the PC's are reacting to a threat. It is possible to react faster than the threat. This is reflected by a "negative" initiative. For example: GM initiative: 36 PC initiative: - 50 = -14 The PC can begin declaring action in the "neg tens." Say this PC wants to cast a Class II spell, which takes 50 points. The spell will actually go off at 36. Let's say, though, that the PC's initiative was a 30 (bad dice, no cookie). Then the PC wouldn't be able to declare any action until the "twenties" segment. Assuming the PC still wants to cast a Class II spell, that spell would go off in the 70's. Confusing? Maybe. There's all kinds of supplemental rules- like instantaneous spells go off right away, but there's a "recovery" time of 10 points (one segment) plus half the level of the spell. During recovery, no other magic may be used, including items. Sniping/Called Shots I have never been happy with the rules presented for targeting a specific area of the body. Most of them were very numbers intensive and just seemed like too much mental energy and game time to bother with. Besides, as a one-time fencer, I know that even a novice has a chance at putting the point where you want it to go. Hence, our called-shot rule: For every level you have developed in a specific weapon (not category), there is a 5% chance you can put it where you want it. Yes, this translates into a 100% chance at 20th level. However- the skill of your opponent can change your chances. Simply subtract the skill level of your opponent from your own, and what's left is your % chance: PC skill level: 15 NPC skill level: 5 % chance of calling the shot: 15-5= 10 x.05 50% The PC must declare a called shot at the beginning of the attack. The attack is rolled normally. The attack must hit and score a critical. Then the % chance is rolled. If the % chance is successful, then the PC may adjust the critical up or down 2 points for every skill rank in the weapon, like ambush. If the called shot fails, the attack has failed and the PC missed entirely. More to come!