Crimson Exodus is powered by Fantasy Dice and I was asked yesterday if there are any combat examples. Since there wasn’t I decided to send a page from the Combat chapter. Now this example assumes that you have read the preceding chapters. I recommend you first read the post on Fantasy Dice, although there were still be terms and tactics which are not explained. If you have any questions please use the contact form and I will try to explain.

Combat is tactical and resolved fast, which I think is realistic and can be interpreted as being quite grim. The combat system was designed to keep things moving, while staying somewhat realistic and allowing for a lot of tactical freedom and creativity.

As a standard every combatant has two actions in a round – a primary and a secondary. Combatants must actively defend with dodges, parries and blocks to avoid being hit and since this takes an action it is not possible to defend more than twice in a round (although it is sometimes possible to “dodge out of danger”).

There are several tactics available – feint, focused strike, harass, etc. – and the players are encourage to be creative and improvise with suggestions such as taunts, intimidation, disarming attacks, etc.

Armour protects by reducing the severity of wounds like it should, weapons have different reach, wound severity, penalties/bonuses to attacks/parries and more or less armour penetration. Thus there are different advantages and disadvantages to using different types of weapon, shield and armour combinations.

Fantasy Dice is the roleplaying game engine that powers Crimson Exodus.

So what are some of the features that make Fantasy Dice interesting:

• Super simple, but tactically versatile task resolution.
• Character defining characteristics and aspirations with real benefits.
• No classes – occupation and path help define the character – not restrict.
• Attributes specify number of dice to roll.
• Skills specify type of die to roll.
• Attribute average is two keeping most rolls to one to five dice.
• Fast resolution – no modifiers and no adding dice together.
• Detailed, but fast character creation.
• Linked attributes.
• Carefully selected skills to balance variety with simplicity.
• Super fast NPC creation.
• Friendly NPCs controlled by players.
• GM Friendly – running an RPG should be fun not stressful.
• Advise on scene handling and plot pacing.
• Wide range of weapon types with different strengths and weaknesses.
• Assemble your own armour.
• Three distinct arts of magic: witchcraft, sorcery and the black arts.
• Witchcraft requires blood and sacrifices.
• Sorcery is hard and draining.
• Black Arts dangerous and forbidden.
• Tactical combat system where defending is as important as attacking.
• Handling of weapon reach, counter attacks and other tactical elements.
• Bias system for social conflict.
• Structured, but Roleplaying focused, social conflict handling.
• Simple ways to handle fear and fatigue.
• Fun wealth system that handles trade with coin and barter.
• Details on artefacts, herbs, poisons, alchemical potions and elixirs.
• Stats and behaviour for beasts and monsters.
• No hitpoints – realistic, but simple wound system.
• Wound system that can be expanded seamlessly with Trauma.

Fantasy Dice was designed specifically for Crimson Exodus, but the versatile and simple game system makes it an excellent choice for any fantasy setting, and with a bit of tweaking it could conceivably be used for other settings too.

Crimson Exodus is available from RPGNow.