- basics of combat (p. 1)
_Combat in General_
Combat challenges are resolved by contests. (See +help character/contest.) In
this context, combat is modeled as a series of exchanges, not a blow-by-blow
battle. Each challenge represents a number of feints, blocks, parries etc -
lasting perhaps five or ten seconds. Thus if you attack someone, you may find it
is you that ends up getting injured.
Generally, each combat challenge is resolved as two contests - first to
determine which party, if either, hits the other - then a second to determine
how much damage results. Each character has a combat stat sheet. (See +help
character/combat.) It can look something like this for someone with access to
Wolf Claws:
Attack CBT DMT HIGH LOW
Brawl 5 6 3 2
Claws 5 8 4A 2A
Grapple 4 5 2 1
Evade 8
Soak Total: 7
Fire/Sun Total: 3
- ---------- basics of combat (p. 2) ----------
You don't need to understand how your +combat numbers are generated, merely how
to use them. For the curious, the details will be listed later.
On the left hand side you have your combat totals ("CBT") and damage
totals ("DMT") for each combat type. Not every combat type has a DMT.
E.g. Evade, which never deals damage. But every combat type has has a CBT.
The CBT column is your maximum contest total for that combat type. You don't
have to use your full total, but holding back in combat could mean getting hurt.
Some Disciplines can affect your CBT. The details are presented in the
appropriate power cards. (See +help character/power.)
The DMT column is your damage total for that attack form. This is used to
determine whether you do the LOW or HIGH damage rating. Like CBT, certain
Disciplines can affect your DMT. The HIGH and LOW columns are the number of
damage levels you do with that attack. If the number is followed with an A, the
damage is aggravated.
On the right are listed your soak totals. These are used to resist DMT. The
'Soak total' is used as your acting value against any attack except fire or
sunlight. The Fire/Sun total is lower, and is used against fire and sunlight
damage. If you are immobilized or otherwise cannot avoid the attack, you should
subtract your Dodge from these totals.
- ---------- basics of combat (p. 3) ----------
_Resolving Combat_
a) Resolve a contest of opposing CBT values. You may use any combat type
available to you that makes sense in the situation. For example, you may use
Brawl to punch or kick at your opponent, or you may use Evade to attempt to
avoid combat altogether. You may also use claws or a weapon, if you have either.
The different combat types are treated with more detail in the ranged combat,
brawl and melee, and grapple +news combat files.
b) If the CBT contest results in a tie, the combat is inconclusive. No one takes
damage. If one party successfully used their Evade, that party has managed to
escape combat and should be allowed to escape. If neither of these events
occurs, resolve damage as below.
c) Resolve a contest of the winner's DMT against the loser's applicable soak
total. The loser takes the LOW rating damage if they win or tie or the HIGH
rating damage if they lose.
- ---------- basics of combat (p. 4) ----------
_Additional Combat Guidelines_
If you want to do something in combat that the +news combat files don't cover,
reach an agreement between everyone involved that seems fair.
Additionally, everyone is strongly encouraged to roleplay combat actions. In
fact, if you just want to tell each other your appropriate combat totals and
roleplay the whole thing out without contests, then we would be delighted. But
certainly roleplay the outcome of every contest. Typically, someone hit in
combat will want to move away, cry out in pain, shout for help, etc. As a guide,
after each combat action you can have one physical action (staggering backwards,
doubling up in pain, whatever) and one verbal action (gasping for help, shouting
abuse, etc).
- ---------- basics of combat (p. 5) ----------
How some of the numbers are worked out:
CBT: Dex+<Skill>. <Skill> is Dodge (Evade), Brawl, Melee,
Firearms or
Athletics (Throwing) as appropriate. Grapple CBT is Str+Brawl+Potence.
DMT: Str+<Skill>+Potence+<Modifier>. <Skill> is
Brawl,Melee,Firearms or
Athletics as appropriate. <Modifier> depends upon the attack.
Soak: Sta+Fortitude+Dodge. Remember that Dodge must be subtracted if you
can't avoid the attack for some reason.
Fire/Sun:Fortitude+Dodge. Remember that Dodge must be subtracted if you can't
avoid the attack for some reason.
- brawl and melee
Brawl and melee are both integrated in to the +combat system. See +news
combat/basics of combat. In this context, they are not that complicated.
Brawl is the talent of fighting without weapons. This includes punching,
grappling, kicking, blocking, parrying, et cetera.
Melee is the skill of fighting with hand-held melee weapons; from knives, to
clubs, to swords, to lawn chairs, to telephone poles (if you have enough
potence).
In general, a character wielding a melee weapon can claim Advantage in CBT over
a character attacking with brawl. Similarly, a character wielding a large melee
weapon can claim Advantage over a character wielding a significantly smaller
weapon. This situation could reverse itself should the wielder of the shorter
weapon succeed in their attack, thus getting "inside the guard".
Always consider the situation.
- disciplines in combat
Using disciplines in combat:
Use of disciplines in combat is something that usually needs to be determined by
common-sense and negotiation between players. But here are simple rules that
will resolve most situations. Apart from powers that are always on (e.g.
Potence, Fortitude), and powers specifically for use in combat (those with the
Combat power modifier), powers are activated at the _end_ of a combat phase,
after damage from all attacks has been resolved.
In order to activate a power at the end of a phase, you must have taken no
actions other than Evade. The Evade does not have to have been successful. The
evade simply is your attempt to avoid damage before you activate your
discipline.
E.g. John Tremere is being attacked by Jane Brujah. John is in serious danger of
getting pounded flat, so he wants to use his Dominate. He announces his
intention to Dominate and Evades. The combat test is resolved, and John Tremere
takes 5 levels of Damage. Ow. But he can now resolve his Dominate against Jane
Brujah (taking into account wound penalties). Another combat phase will occur
after the Dominate is resolved.
- grapple (p. 1)
Grappling is combat at close quarters where at least one of the combatants has
actually grabbed hold of the other and is attempting to maintain physical
control of the fight. While in a grapple, combatants may only use Brawl, fang,
small Melee (e.g. knife), and claw attacks. Evading is not possible. Once
combatants have entered a grapple, they make a "grapple" check at the
beginning of every combat round to determine the state of the grapple, and then
resolve allowable attacks as normal.
Initiating Grapple::
A character wishing to initiate a grapple must declare that they are
attempting to grapple as their attack. The grappling character attacks using
their Brawl CBT, but if they are successful, no damage is inflicted but a
grapple is started and the grappling character is "in control" of the
grapple. All normal combat rules apply to this contest: the only difference is
the result if the grappling character wins. If you declare a grapple against
someone with a sword, and they win this contest, you will still take damage. (If
*both* characters declared grapple, the winner of the contest is "in
control" although no damage is inflicted.)
A character initiating a grapple against an opponent with a ranged or
melee weapon gives away Advantage. This is in addition to the normal
consequences of brawl attacks versus melee or ranged combatants. (See +news
combat/brawl and melee. See also combat/ranged combat.)
- ---------- grapple (p. 2) ----------
The Grapple Check:
When combatants are in a Grapple, each round begins with a "Grapple
check": the combatants +contest their Grapple CBTs. Each player declares
whether they are attempting to continue the grapple, or escape it. If both
characters wish to continue the grapple, then the winner of the Grapple check
has advantage for that round of combat. If both characters wish to escape the
grapple, then the grapple is broken and the characters may do nothing else that
round. If one character wishes to escape the Grapple and the other wishes to
continue it, the characters make a Grapple check: if the "escaping"
character wins, the grapple is ended and that round of combat is over. If the
"continuing" character wins, combat proceeds in a grapple and the
"continuing" character has advantage. A character may only claim
advantage for Celerity in a Grapple check if one of the combatants is attempting
to escape.
A character in rage or hunger frenzy may not attempt to break a grapple.
A character in fear frenzy must attempt to break a grapple.
- ---------- grapple (p. 3) ----------
Fighting in Grapple:
As mentioned above, while in a grapple, combatants may only use Brawl,
fang, small Melee (e.g. knife), and Claw attacks. The following rules apply:
*A character cannot Evade while in grapple.
* Celerity cannot be used to gain Advantage on either CBT or DMT in grapple.
* Soak totals are reduced by a character's Dodge score, as "rolling"
with the blow is not an option in a grapple.
Note that to use a fang attack, a vampire must be in a grapple. To make a fang
attack, a character makes a Brawl attack as normal, but all damage is considered
aggravated.
- health levels
Health levels
You have 7 Health levels marked on your character sheet. Each health level is
associated with penalty that is applied to all contests, including combat
contests (but excluding frenzy checks). These health levels and penalties are as
follows:
_Health_ _Penalty_
Unhurt 0
Bruised 0
Hurt -1
Injured -2
Wounded -3
Mauled -4
Crippled -5
Incapacitated N/A
Further wounds to vampires after they are incapacitated knock off blood points.
Further wounds to a human mean the character is dying. Without immediate medical
attention they will die. When a vampire has no blood points and no health levels
left, it falls into Torpor. (See +news systems/torpor.)
The +hurt command allows you to keep track of your wounds. (See +help ic/hurt.)
See also +news systems/damage and healing (as well as) +news sys/frenzy (p3)
- multi-person combat (p. 1)
In general, actions involving multiple parties can be resolved by reducing the
contest to being between two parties, and giving the stronger side Advantage.
Multi-person combat is not always so simple though. A number of ways to resolve
multi-person combat situations are presented here, the simplest first - and we
prefer simplicity wherever possible.
_Roleplay It!_
The alternative of choice is roleplay, of course. Roleplay the combat, making
each other aware of combat totals where it is important. If necessary, use tests
to resolve individual actions, allowing Advantage where it seems appropriate.
This method requires cooperative roleplaying, but it is the quickest and best
for the story whenever possible.
- ---------- multi-person combat (p. 2) ----------
_Rules_
If clear rules are necessary, here you go. Remember to read +news combat/basics
of combat. Understand that the combat rules refer to engagement with one other
person. They do not model a blow by blow exchange. In this context, when you are
in combat with more than one person, you have three options:
1.You can Evade against everyone who is attacking you. In this case, you give
away Advantage on all the combat tests, but you can Evade against every
attacker, no matter how many attack you. However, you may not attack anyone.
This models diving for cover, turning and running, etc.
2. You may attack someone. In this case, that attack is resolved normally. Any
further attacks by other persons against you are resolved as if you were evading
with CBT 0.
3. You attack one person, and Evade against another, giving away Advantage on
both CBTs. Any further attacks by other persons against you are resolved as if
you were evading with CBT 0.
The important thing is that you are dividing your attention as much as your
actions. No matter how fast you are, dividing your attention between two or more
opponents makes your actions poorer.
- ---------- multi-person combat (p. 3) ----------
_Examples_
Joe Brujah is attacked by Samuel Ventrue and his two ghoul thugs. Joe has a
Brawl CBT of 5, and an Evade CBT of 4. He can:
a) Evade against all three attackers, giving each of them Advantage. This is the
'duck and run' strategy.
b) Engage Samuel with Brawl CBT of 5, and Evade the other two with CBT 0. This
might work, if the ghouls are lousy in combat.
c) Engage Samuel with Brawl, and give him Advantage. Then Joe can Evade giving
Advantage to one ghoul, and Evade with CBT 0 against the other.
d) If Joe has Celerity 2 and none of the others do, he can activate it and
allocate 1 level to each ghoul, then proceed as b), or as c). Advantage will
give him some chance of Evading, even with CBT 0. See Celerity card for more
details if you have the discipline.
See also: +help character/contest
- ranged combat (p. 1)
Combat with ranged weapons is slightly different to that with melee weapons and
brawling. Fights using firearms, bows, and thrown weapons consist of exchanges
of fire, diving for cover, et cetera.
_Basic Ranged Attack_
Ranged weapons have two CBT values listed, normal and Aimed CBT. You may use the
Aimed CBT if you spend a full action aiming before firing. While aiming, a
character's CBT against all attacks is 0.
_Defending Against Ranged Attack_
The best defense against ranged combat is complete cover. Alternatively, Evade
is used. Evade is considered getting out of the line of fire, generally toward
some manner of complete cover.
Taking any action in the face of a ranged attack other than an Evade means your
character resists the ranged attacker's CBT with a 0. Of course, some say that
the best defense is a good offense...
- ---------- ranged combat (p. 2) ----------
_Ranged Attack versus Close Attack_
A ranged combatant may use a ranged weapon until someone has successfully
engaged them in a Grapple. (See +news combat/grapple.)
If someone wants to engage a ranged attacker in Melee or Brawl combat, the
ranged combatant essentially gets a free shot. The ranged combatant contests
their CBT versus a CBT of 0 to hit the close combatant. Resolve ranged damage as
appropriate. If the close combatant is still able, the close combatant gets to
contest their Brawl/Melee CBT against a CBT of 0, taking into account any wound
penalties just incurred. If the close combatant wins this contest, they have hit
the ranged combatant and have engaged the ranged combatant in close combat.
Firing from cover might get the ranged attacker Advantage on this second test.
If a close combatant has to run to reach the ranged combatant to engage in close
combat, the ranged combatant gets Advantage on their ranged attack CBT. If the
close combatant is too far away to reach the ranged combatant this combat round,
the ranged combatant may get an additional free shot.
Once a close combatant has engaged a ranged combatant in close combat, further
CBT contests are resolved directly between the appropriate Ranged Weapon CBT and
Melee/Brawl CBT. The close combatant, however, has CBT Advantage. Unless there
is a tie, someone will get struck.
- ---------- ranged combat (p. 3) ----------
_Ranged Attack versus Ranged Attack_
When two characters just stand and shoot at each other, someone is going to get
hurt. The person left standing in such encounters is generally the quickest and
best shot. Therefore, both ranged combatants contest the CBT of their respective
ranged weapons. The loser gets shot and damage is resolved as normal. If there
is a tie, both combatants missed. The combatant with the best cover may claim
Advantage.
_Advantage and Firearms_
There is great potential for use of Advantage in ranged combat. Here are some
examples, but the full range of applications is left for your imagination and
negotiation.
Full automatic weapon - Give away Advantage on CBT, claim Advantage on DMT (fire
it like a hose).
Full automatic weapon - Claim Advantage on CBT, give away Advantage on DMT
(spray an area)
Gunfight situation - Claim Advantage for having better cover than your
opponent.
Drive-by shooting - Lose Advantage on both CBT and DMT.
Vampire Perk - All vampires get DMT Advantage when attempting to soak gunfire.
Note, more than one set of modifiers can apply in a given situation. For
example, the drive-by shooting and full automatic (spray) weapon modifiers can
cancel each other out with with regard to CBT.
- ---------- ranged combat (p. 4) ----------
_Some notes on Firearms_
The combat stats for firearms are a little more complex than those for other
weapons, but these are hidden within the +combat code. The end result is two CBT
totals: one for unaimed shots, and one for aimed shots.
The base CBT is Dex+Firearms. This is modified as follows:
Each gun has a Snapshot number. If your skill is below the Snapshot number, you
get -3 on your unaimed CBT.
Each gun has an Accuracy number. Aimed shots add this accuracy to the CBT, up to
a maximum addition of your Firearms skill.
You cannot find out what the Snapshot and Accuracy of a gun are. All you see is
the effects on your CBT values.
- staking
Staking is the process of spearing a vampire through the heart with a wooden
stake, or some similar wooden pointy object. Staking another character through
the heart in combat is not really possible. You need to incapacitate or restrain
a character first. And it is an immutable fact that a vampire that is staked
through the heart with a wood object cannot take any actions other than talk
quietly until someone else removes the stake. This inability to take actions
includes any use of vampire powers such as disciplines. Furthermore, all rituals
maintained by the concentration of the staked vampire are broken.
Any roughly sharpened wood object through the heart will work. No coded Weapon
is necessary. A broken leg of a wooden chair, et cetera, in the description of a
room will do.
- weapons and armor (p. 1)
Weapons on LA are coded. All real weapons on the MUSH will come from the combat
Architect object, Weapon. They will be owned by Weapon. If your character wants
a weapon, +feedback/request and ask for one. (See +help ooc/feedback.) If you do
not have an approved weapon object, you do not have the weapon. This applies for
statted retainers, as well (though unstatted retainers might have generic
'weapons'... see +news systems/retainers).
Approved weapons can be wielded, which makes them show on your +combat sheet -
which you can then show to another player to prove its totals.
When +feedback/request'ing,
1. Describe precisely HOW you are obtaining this weapon
(list influences, player contacts, etc.)
2. Indicate the type of weapon (short sword, pistol, crossbow, etc.)
3. Provide model of firearm or a full @desc of melee/etc. weapons
Weapons will not be granted as mere props, and with few exceptions each player
will only be granted (at most) a single weapon (for database purposes), so think
carefully.
- ---------- weapons and armor (p. 2) ----------
Los Angeles MUSH has no special rules for armor. It can be worn, it can be
posed, and in some cases is a handy item for helping preserve the Masquerade
(people can wonder when you get shot six times and get back up), but it has no
effect on combat. Our soak totals figure in the dodge ability, and any such
protections will result in a subsequent decrease in maneuverability that will
cancel out. If you are in such a situation that you cannot dodge, it is presumed
your opponent can quite easily use that factor to injure you in a place your
armor does not cover, or in a way the armor cannot prevent.
As an addendum, your character not having a dodge skill, or you sending us a
website showing the newfangled head-to-toe Uberarmor(TM) which is completely
impervious and restricts motion not one whit, is not a factor here. This is a
thematic decision for game balance purposes, and the above explanation is just
something provided for characters to be able to equate it to
"realistic" terms. If you want a better soak total, buy more dodge
skill, use +blood code to pump your Stamina, etc.
