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Dungeons & Dragons Critical Charts Cont.

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

So yesterday I put together a somewhat simple “Melee - Critical Hit Table” for all those sword swinging, club thumping, axe biting bastards out there.  I’ll take some time to catch up with Ranged, Magic, Clerical, and other “Critical Hit” charts.  However, before I continue I want to make sure everybody feels comfortable about the greatness of Criticals Hits and the horror that is Critical Failures.

Just as with a max Natural die roll causing a “Automatic Hit” there needs to be the counterbalance of a “Automatic Failure” with the minimum Natural die roll.  If your final Attack Roll amount would miss with this roll then you must roll on the “Critical Failure” chart corresponding to your attack attempt.  As an example I’ve put together the “Melee - Critical Failure Table” below.

 

Melee - Critical Failure Table
Roll 1d12
Roll Effect
1-4 Standard Critical Failure: The attacker has miscalculated the attack, narrowly readjusting their stance to avoid catastrophe. If the character is performing any other Attacks this turn, all remaining attacks have a -1 modifier to the Attack Roll. Any Movement Action that would be performed after this Attack phase by the attacker has a -2 modifier to their Movement.
5 Off Balance Attack: The attacker swung wildly without the concentration required to keep from losing their balance. The attacker must immediately roll to keep their balance and avoid falling down. The roll is a DEX MOD Saving Throw roll verses their STR value. If the attacker has failed then the player may choose from the following:

  1. Disarmed - The weapon slips out of the attacker’s grip while attempting to regain balance.
    Disarm Successful: If the attacker is armed with both a sheild and weapon then the attacker rolls 1d4 (1-2 Weapon Disarmed, 3-4 Sheild disarmed).Weapon Disarm Effect: Defender roll 1d8 to determine the direction the weapon flies off to, and a 1d4 Divide by 2 to determine the number of squares. If the weapon enters the square of any other character (other then the attacker) then the defender rolls 1d20 with a -5 modifier VS the characters AC. If the weapons strikes the character it causes standard weapon damage rolled by the defender.
    Sheild Disarm Effect: Defender roll 1d8 to determine the direction the shield falls toward. The sheild has one square away in the direction rolled. If the sheild enters the square of another character the defender rolls a 1d20 -8 modifier VS the characters AC. If the sheild strikes it causes 1d4 damage.
  2. Knocked Prone - The attacker falls to the ground in the square they are in. All “Knocked Prone” penalties apply
6-8 Damaged Weapon - The attacker has damaged their weapon while attacking.  The weapon now has a -1d4 MOD to all further attacks till repaired.  If the attacker was performing an unarmed attack then the character receives 1d4 Damage.
9-10 Pulled Muscle: The attacker has pulled a muscle while performing the failed attack.  All STR related Checks or STR MOD checks/bonuses receives a -4 MOD (to STR and STR MOD values).  This modifier will remain in effect till healed till full level.  In addition the attacker loses 1d4 +1 Damage.
11 Cry Havok:  If the attacker has allied characters next to their square then each ally is required to make a DEX Saving Throw (base 10 + Attacker’s STR MOD).  If they fail then apply the Attacker’s STR MOD + 1d4 Damage to the ally character.If no allies are near the attacker, then perform the “Off Balance Attack” results found above.
12 Got Myself:  The Attacker must roll an additional Attack Roll verses themselves.  If they roll a natural ‘1′ then perform the “Damaged Weapon” result.  If they roll a natural ‘20′ then the Attacker must roll on the “Melee - Critical Hit Chart” to see what damage the character causes to him/herself.

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Dungeons & Dragons - Critical Charts

Monday, September 1st, 2008

In my previous post, I discussed the need for some Critical Charts and methods for Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition.  The goal of these charts is to enhance the storyline and give the characters more amazing feats as well as bloodied scars or missing limbs.

In combat the natural roll of 20 on a d20 is considered an “Automatic Hit”  to the opponent.  Then you have to determine if the “Automatic Hit” was a “Critical Hit”  by verifying that the total “Attack Value” meets or exceeds the opponent’s “Defense Value.”  In the rules (Player’s Guide - 278) they have the rules on “Critical Hits” for you to check on their existing method.  As a player and storyteller, I honestly prefer more then a plain old “Maximum Damage” effect of a “Critical Hit.”  Yes, I’m aware of the other “Extra Damage” rules, however I just want more out of such a feat.

Critical Hits - Option 1

If you roll a Natural 20 and your “Attack Value” does not match or exceed the “Defense Value” then when rolling damage you roll 2X the # of Damage dice, and then select from the dice rolled the appropriate # of dice for your attack.  Example:  Longsword - 1d8; roll 2d8 and select the roll that you wish to count as your “Damage Roll”

If you roll a Natural 20 and your “Attack Value” matches or exceeds the “Defense Value” a “Critical Hit” has been caused.  To see what effects are caused see the “Melee - Critical Hit Effect Table.”

 

Melee - Critical Hit Table
Roll 1d12
Roll Effect
1-4 Standard Critical Hit:  Follows typical Critical Hit Rules of 4th Edition
Damage: Maximum Damage
5 Disarming Attack: If your opponent is armed with a weapon or sheild then they must immediately make a STR check verses the attacker’s STR or DEX to prevent being disarmed (on a tie the Attacker wins).
Disarm Successful: If the defender is armed with both a sheild and weapon then the attacker rolls 1d4 (1-2 Weapon Disarmed, 3-4 Sheild disarmed).
Weapon Disarm Effect: Defender roll 1d8 to determine the direction the weapon flies off to, and a 1d4 Divide by 2 to determine the number of squares. If the weapon enters the square of any other character (other then the attacker) then the defender rolls 1d20 with a -5 modifier VS the characters AC. If the weapons strikes the character it causes standard weapon damage rolled by the defender.
Sheild Disarm Effect: Defender roll 1d8 to determine the direction the shield falls toward. The sheild has one square away in the direction rolled. If the sheild enters the square of another character the defender rolls a 1d20 -8 modifier VS the characters AC. If the sheild strikes it causes 1d4 damage.Damage: Maximum DamageIf the defender is humanoid and not armed with a weapon then DAMAGE + 1/4 Maximum Damage
6-8 Disabling Blow:The attack slams into the defender causing the defender to be partially disabled. If the Defender is wearing armor that is classified as Chainmail, Scale, or Plate then the armor is damaged. The damage will lower the defender’s future “Attack Score” by a -2 Modifier till repaired. All STR MOD or DEX MOD results are lowered by -2 due the the structure of the armor interfering with the character’s movement.Chainemail/Scale/Plate Damage: Maximum Damage +2
If the Defender is wearing Cloth, Leather, or Hide armor then the armor is comprimised. The armor will provide -1 the the original Armor Score value. The cost to repair the armor will be at least half the value of the armor.

Cloth/Leather/Hide Damage: Maximum Damage + 2d4 + STR MOD
9-10 Piercing Strike:The blow lands between the protection of any armor the character is wearing. The damage inflicted interferes with the defender’s abilities. All STR & DEX Checks have a -4 Modifier. All STR & DEX Modifiers are lowered by -3. Any Skills that are STR or DEX based are lowered by -3. The defender is considered to have “Heavy Bleeding” which is -2 Hit Points / Turn and requires passing a CON check (standard 10) for the “Heavy Bleeding” to cease.Damage: Maximum Damage + 3d4
11 Disruptive Blow:If the Defender is smaller, same or 1 size larger then the Attacker then the Defender stumbles as the blow lands against them. The Defender immediately must pass a DEX check of (12 + the Attackers STR Modifier). If the Defender fails, then the Defender immediately falls to the ground (knocked prone). The Defender will receive -2 Attack Roll Modifiers for each attack on their next Turn.Defender Smaller/Same/1 Size Larger - Damage: Maximum Damage + 3d4

If the Defender is > 1 Size Larger then the Attacker then the blow has interfered with the Defender’s ability to retaliate. The defender will receive a -2 Attack Roll Modifers for each attack on their next Turn.

Defender > 1 Size Larger - Damage: Maximum Damage + 4d4
12 Head Shot:Your attack has come into contact with the opponent’s head.Damage: Maximum Damage x 2 unless the character is wearing helmet or other head protection, then damage is the typical Maximum Damage only.
Additional Effect:  Defender must immediately make a Saving Throw roll from being Stunned for 1 Turn.

I’m still working on this chart, but figured I’d allow it to be seen so far in the state it is currently in. Any feedback would be great!

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Whatever happened to Criticals?

Friday, August 29th, 2008

Recently, I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition and have been pretty happy with the results of what WotC came up with.  While at Gen Con Indy 2008, I heard plenty of b*tching from people about 4th verses their favorite 3.0 or 3.5.  I for one can not be much of a judge on the whole upgrade from 3.5 to 4, however I’d can say that verses 2nd Edition.. 4th Kicks *ss!  Yep,  I’m older then most of you out there.. So I took a hiatus from DnD while the 3.0-3.5 chaos ensued.

Dungeons and Dragons - Players Handbook Dungeons and Dragons - Dungeon Master Guide

I’ve played a lot of Role Playing Games (RPGs) over the years and found the basics of 4th pretty easy to get a hang on.  If you can get past the grammatical mess of the books [a flaw I can't really take beef with, as I write pretty ackwardly too :-)], you can find a pretty healthy system that is easy for newbies as well as old guys like myself to pickup.  Being that this site is devoted to gladiatorial combat, I did want to stress that 4th does miss out on a the “Critical” part of the game.

Critical:  Typically a natural roll of 20 on a d20 (20-sided die) is the critical and results in a number of different options from:  Max Damage, Automatic success, etc.  This helps, however I really like to see RPGs with Critical Success and Failure results with a little more flavor.  I remember a game system I playtested years ago called Gatewars.  The game was absolutely a monstrosity of mechanics, however the one awesome quality it possessed was Critical Success and Failure charts for all sorts of things where your Luck stat played a big role.  Obviously, it’s hard to figure out a chart that fits for everything.. Nor is it fair for the Dungeon Master (DM) to have to keep an insanity of charts at hand for any action that results in a Critical Success or Failure.

One part of White Wolf’s games that I like was the high roll means you get to add another.. and another if you get a high on that!  Of course, they balanced this with the low roll resulting in removing any success.  

Example #1:  roll 5d10 - Roll:  3,8,2,10,1 - Results:  10 is cancelled out by the 1.. So only 8, 3, and 2 remain. 

Example #2: roll 5d10 - Roll: 10, 2, 5, 5, 9 - Roll an additional d10 for the 10 - 8 - Results: 10, 9, 8, 5, 5, 2

This idea of adding up rolls is a great way to show something magnificent happened.  Some people may not like this because they believe it makes the dice too powerful in the game.  My rebuttal to this is something heroic can happen to even the lowest of us, and just as heroics can occur so can miserable failures with Critical Failures properly established.

So what can you do if you have only criical failures left (5d10 - Roll: 5, 1, 1, 2, 1)?  That’s when you bring out the Critical Failure chart to have some fun.  A Game Master/Storyteller/Dungeon Master must always make the most of the storyline with whatever Critical Failure is determined.  Let’s say you have a melee system with Defense Skill verses Attack Skill.  If the defender performs a Critical Failure, then the Attacker would get to roll on the Critical Hit chart.  [Yep, I'm a fan of Classic Battletech :-)]  The results could range anything from stunning the opponent for a round, to maiming a limb.  If you can’t tell I’m a big fan of characters that are not perfect.  They need some scars, missing ears, etc. to show their wear.

Obviously, a lot of DnD players would probably not want such charts to be in use.  Part of the issue is the players want their character to be invincible.   Somehow you almost slip into death, yet through a miracle of saving on the last Death Saving throw you ward off death.  Then your lovely healer comes over and get’s you back up and running around without even a hint of being almost dead minutes before.  What problem this presents is players are too fearless with their characters in battle.  Certainly we’re not trying to model reality, however keeping elements of reality can help to make the storyline better.  In nature a lot of confrontation is resolved through posturing and such to avoid actual combat.  If your character had to roll on a Death Failure Chart after failing each Death Saving Throw, then maybe you’d roleplay the character like a living being, instead of some poor excuse of a heroic character.

Of course, when you have a result such as missing ear it can be noted on the character sheet with negative modifiers to their typical Passive Perseption Check if audible noises are what is to be perceived.  If you’re missing an arm, good luck with swinging a sword and using a sheild.  Of course, it could just be a finger which may just play a small role.  Of course, you could also have massive trauma to a location that it takes extra time to heal from beyond what a healer can do.  ‘Damn it Jim, I’m a Cleric not a reconstructive surgeon!’

No matter what, if you play your character well you will take on the challenges of playing a character that is gifted and a little banged up at the same time.

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