Battle

During the Battle Phase, drifters cross blades and sling sorceries with foes.

Battle can be played out in various ways:

Theater of the Mind

The Fateweaver describes the scene and the players describe their drifter's actions.

• Distances are governed as best as possible, but it ultimately comes down to the Fateweaver's call as to where all combatants are positioned within the imaginary space.
• Theater of the Mind style is the easiest for setup, but the most subjective when it comes to distances and tactics.

Miniatures & Measurments

Creatures are represented physically on a table top or other surface by miniatures, with distance being measured in inches.

• Distances measured with a tape measure or ruler.
  • 1" = 5'
• Falchion is a "miniatures agnostic" game, which means players are free to use whatever miniatures they feel best fit their drifters and creatures, however a creature's size is generally determined by their miniature's base diameter:
  • 1/4" = Tiny
  • 1/2" = Small
  • 1" = Medium
  • 2" = Large
  • 3" = Huge
  • 4" or more = Colossal
• Miniatures & Measurements style allows accurate distances, and can help players determine tactics on the battlefield.

Battle Round Sequence - 1 round = 6 seconds

1. Check for Surprise
2. Draw Creature Reaction
3. Check Initiative
4. Determine Actions
5. Resolve Actions in Initiative Order
6. Check Morale
7. End of Round

Step 1 - Check for Surprise

2:6 of drifters and creatures being surprised.

• Surprised creatures do not take an action during the first round of battle.
• Advantage on Attacks/Blocks/Dodge vs surprised creatures.
• Disadvantage on Blocks/Dodge if surprised.

Step 2 - Draw Creature Reaction

Draw 2 cards, add their value together, and compare the result to the reaction table below.

• This sets the initial tone of the creatures reaction towards the drifters.
• Reaction could be influenced by the drifters' reputation or the situation.
• Sometimes a reaction check may not be needed if the creatures' sentiments towards the drifters would be obvious.

Step 3 - Initiative

Determine order of participants in battle.

• [AGI]: Successes act before hostile creatures, and failures acting after.
• Drifters decide their turn order.
• Hostile creatures act in the order of lowest to highest HD.

Step 4 - Determine Actions

Drifters may do 1 combination of the following on their turn unless otherwise stated:

• Move and take 1 action.
• Move twice.

Step 5 - Resolve Actions in Initiative Order

All combatants' actions are resolved in the turn order established in step 3.

• Creatures make checks to resolve the outcome of their actions.

Step 6 - Check Morale

The Fateweaver checks creatures' morale if needed.

• Only checked when:
  • A creature's is at less than 1/2 their HP.
  • A creature's leader has been downed.
  • 1/2 a creature's forces have been slain.
• Draw 2 cards, summing their value.
  • If total is higher than the creature's Morale they:
    • High Card = Black: Surrender
    • High Card = Red: Flee

Step 7 - End of Round

If there are still combatants alive that are willing to continue the battle, begin the next round with Step 3.

Battle Notes

Minimum Damage/Fatal Damage

Always deal/take a minimum of 1 damage, regardless of armor.

• Cannot be KO'ed or killed in this manner. ####Crits & Botches A 20 on an Attack/Block/Dodge check is a Crit, while a 1 on an Attack/Block/Dodge check is a Botch.
• Crits on Attacks/Blocks/Dodges
  • Attack deals maximum damage + rolled damage.
  • Target's armor is reduced by 1 die size.
• Botches on Attacks/Blocks/Dodges
  • Take maximum damage + rolled damage.
  • Armor is reduced by 1 die size.

Threat Level

• Threat level is the difference between a creature's HD and a drifter's level.
• Threat Level increases the DR of all checks made against the creature by its value.
  • Example: A level 2 Drifter is fighting a Troll with 6HD. Their attack has a +6DR vs the Troll.
• A Threat Level can neve be negative, only 0.
• The DR for a check can only be raised to a maximum of 18.

Battle Actions

Actions Listed in Alphabetical Order
Aim: -2DR to hit with a ranged weapon.

• Can replace movement.
• Must make a ranged attack the same turn/round.
• Target cannot be within 10'

Attack - Melee [MGT]/[AGI] (based on weapon): Make an attack with equipped weapon.

• If successful, cast damage dice and reduce targets HP by the result.
• If failed, take damage from target's counterattack.
• Must be within 5' of target.
• Advantage if target is prone/Disadvantage if drifter is prone.

Attack - Ranged [MGT/[AGI] (based on weapon): Fire ore throw a ranged weapon.

• If successful, cast damage dice and reduce targets HP by the result.
• Doesn't provoke a counterattack on failure.
• Must be within weapon's range.
• Advantage if target is prone.

Block [MGT]: Block an incoming attack with a shield or weapon.

• If successful, cast damage dice for counter attack and reduce targets GP by the result.
• If failed, take damage from the attack.
• A shield is required to block ranged attacks.
• Advantage to blocking unarmed attacks with a shield/weapon.

Dodge [AGI]: Dodge an incoming attack.

• If successful, cast damage dice for counter attack and reduce targets GP by the result.
  • Move 5' in any direction.
  • [AGI] to move an additional 10' in any direction, moving and falling prone if failed.

Grapple [MGT]: Hold a target in a grapple.

• -2DR for every size larger than the target.
• +2DR for every size smaller than the target.

Grapple - Attack [MGT]/[AGI] (based on weapon): Attack grappled target.

• Made with Advantage.
• If successful, cast damage die and reduce target's HP by the result.
• Doesn't provoke counterattack on failure.

Grapple - Break Free [MGT] or [AGT]: Escape from a grapple.

• -2DR for every size larger than the target.
• +2DR for every size smaller than the target.

Hold: Hold an action until later in the round.

• Hold a declared action until a specific trigger happens.
• Once action is declared, it cannot be changed.
• If the trigger does not happen, the action does not happen.

Load: Load a ranged weapon.

• Can replace movement.
• The number of rounds required to load a weapon are shown in the gear section.
• If a drifter is interrupted while loading a weapon, then it does not count.

Move: Move up to Battle Movement.

• [AGI] may be required difficult terrain.
• Can be divided up throughout a drifter's turn.
• Crawling is 1/2 movement.
• Standing from prone takes 1/2 movement.

Use Item: Use an item that the drifter is carrying or that is in the area.

• Some items may require a specific check.
• This can also be used to pick up an item or weapon.

Grit Die - ud8

The Grit Die is a ud8 and may be cast to use gambits.

• 1 ud size can be regained (max ud8) by resting at least 1 hour).
• Grit Die is fully replenished if the drifter rests at least 6 hours.
• Disadvantage on all checks if the drifter fully expends their Grit Die.
  • Must rest at least 6 hours to gain it back.
• Max Grit = A drifter's total unused inventory spaces (minimum 1).

Some possible gambits for the Grit Die:

• Cleave: Attack adjacent target with same attack, dealing -1 damage per extra enemy attacked.
• Disarm: Disarm target of their weapon.
• Extra Action: Perform an extra action this round.
• Gain Prayer Die: +1 Prayer Die for immediate use.
• Gain Sorcery Die: +1 Sorcery Die for immediate use.
• Kin Ability: Use Kin Ability.
• Overcome Odds: -2DR to any check.
• Reroll: Reroll a die, taking the 2nd result.
• Redraw: Redraw a card, taking the 2nd result.
• Strong Melee Attack: +1 damage die, +2DR to attack.