Rules of Combat

Combat Attack Actions

Most offensive actions have to beat one or more of a target’s defenses in order to have full effect, and the defense depends on the type of attack used (as described below). In some cases, an attack can cause partial damage even when it fails to beat the target’s defense. If an action does not clearly specify its type of attack, the chosen range and target type determine which type of attack to use.

When making an attack against multiple targets, a separate attack roll is made against each potential target. In other words, it is possible for a single attack to fail against some targets, succeed against others, and even achieve critical success against some. Damage, on the other hand, is typically rolled for only once per attack and applied against all targets equally. Note, however, that the degree of success and the defenses and resistances of each target can affect the actual damage inflicted.

A target can willingly lower its defenses so that it is automatically (or at least more easily) affected by an attack.

Attack and Weapon Categories

Skills, actions, and spells will sometimes refer to different types of attacks and weapons. This categorization can be rather confusing, especially since many of the categories overlap. The most common attack and weapon types are listed here, together with their associated skill abbreviations:

Attack: Includes every type of attack, including natural weapon attacks, manufactured weapon attacks, and supernatural attacks.

Weapon: Includes all weapon types, natural as well as manufactured (but not supernatural attacks).

Melee weapons (WpMel): Close combat weapons, including most natural weapons. Also includes thrown weapons, even those that cannot easily be used in melee combat.
Natural weapons (WpNat): Includes hands, feet, claws, bite attacks, tailsweeps, etc. They also count as melee weapons, unless otherwise specified.
Manufactured weapons: Includes all non-natural weapons, such as axes, swords, bows, shields, etc. Each type has its own skill.

Projectile weapons (WpPrj): Includes all hand-held, ranged weapons that require ammunition.
Exotic weapons (WpExo): Special category including weapons that require special training.
Monk weapons (WpMnk): Special category covering those weapons often used by martial artists.
Siege weapons (WpSie): Includes all weapons large enough to be used by more than one person.
Shields (WpShd): Shields count as weapons, although they are made more for parrying than attacking.

Brawling attacks (WpBrl): Includes attacks made with the whole body, such as grappling and tackling.
Supernatural attacks: Includes ray attacks (WpRay), area attacks (WpAre), and body & mind attacks (WpBaM). Natural weapons are not considered supernatural, even when they are used to deliver supernatural effects.
Ranged attacks: Includes thrown melee weapons, projectile weapons, some rare natural weapons, and many supernatural attacks.
Generic weapons (WpGen): Includes most non-exotic weapons, including natural weapons, brawling, and even ray attacks.

Weapon Attacks

Natural weapons, melee weapons, thrown weapons, and projectile weapons all target the defender's DeC.

Total Weapon Damage = Base Weapon Damage + Str mod (for most weapons) + AP boost

Weapons cause damage to the target’s HP or SP, according to the base damage listed for a creature's attack or a weapon in the equipment chapter. The attacker can choose to change the weapon’s damage (from SP to HP and vice versa), but this typically incurs a -4 attack penalty. Changing damage from HP to SP also turns the damage type into B (blunt damage).

Strength modifier: An attacker’s strength modifies the damage of most melee, thrown, and some projectile weapons (as specified in the equipment chapter). When a weapon is wielded in two hands, increase the Str modifier by +2. A strength modifier can never improve the damage of a weapon by more than its maximum base damage dice. For example, a dagger with a base damage of d4 can never enjoy a higher Str modifier than +4.

Minimum damage: Modifiers can reduce the damage caused by a weapon but never below 1 HP/SP.

Exceptional hits: When a weapon attack results in an exceptional success or better, damage resistance is halved.

Critical hits: When a weapon attack results in a critical success, the damage is multiplied by the factor specified for the weapon. If no other multiplier is specified, use ×2. All damage is multiplied, whether it consists of HP, SP, PP, or ability damage.

Multiplying damage: Some effects (a critical hit, for example) will multiply the damage of a weapon. The same multiplicative factor applies to all normal modifiers, but not to extra damage dice.

Hot or burning weapons: A weapon that is on fire or glowing hot deals an additional d2 to d4 HP of fire damage (depending on the degree of heat).

Supernatural Touch and Reach Attacks

For actions with a range of Rch (or Tch used against unwilling targets), the attack is effectively a natural or melee weapon attack against the target's DeC. Attack modifiers are calculated normally for the weapon used (including all bonuses from the appropriate weapon skill). Unless otherwise specified in the action, the action time includes one weapon attack for normal damage.

If you choose to use a hand-held focus for an action that has a range of Rch or Tch, you actually use the focus to deliver the effect. For small foci, like a wand or holy symbol, you still use Weapons - Natural for skill modifiers, but for larger foci, such as a staff or rod, you instead use the appropriate Weapons skill.

If the action does not include the actual attack in the action time, the normal AP cost for the attack has to be paid separately. Same applies for additional targets beyond the first one (if the action allows multiple targets). Note that movement (using either AP or MP) is allowed between initiating a Tch/Rch action and then spending separate AP on one or more attacks.

If the action allows for more than one target, each attempted attack counts as one target, regardless of success. The action continues until all "charges" have been delivered or the instigator (willingly or unwillingly) dismisses the action. Starting a new action that requires concentration will automatically remove any remaining "charges".

Supernatural effects delivered by Tch or Rch require a successful hit, but they typically do not require the attack's damage to penetrate DR.

Exceptional hits: When a Tch or Rch attack results in an exceptional success or better, resistance (if any) is halved.

Critical hits: When a Tch or Rch attack results in a critical success, the damage or effect is often doubled. All damage is multiplied, whether it consists of HP, SP, PP, or ability damage.

Multiplying damage: Some effects (a critical hit, for example) can multiply the damage of a Tch or Rch attack. The same multiplicative factor applies to all normal modifiers, but not to extra damage dice.

Unless otherwise specified, when a Tch or Rch attack is used to deliver an effect that normally targets Fort or Will, then the attack against DeC replaces the usual attack check, and skill modifiers for the weapon skill are used in place of Weapons - Body & Mind.

Ray Attacks

For actions with a Ray "area of effect", the attack is effectively a ranged attack against a single target's DeC. Attack modifiers are calculated normally for a ranged attack, with bonuses from the Weapons - Ray Attacks skill.

The damage from a ray attack depends on the type of attack and varies widely.

Exceptional hits: When a ray attack results in an exceptional success or better, resistance (if any) is halved.

Critical hits: When a ray attack results in a critical success, the damage or effect is often doubled. All damage is multiplied, whether it consists of HP, SP, PP, or ability damage.

Multiplying damage: Some effects (a critical hit, for example) can multiply the damage of a ray. The same multiplicative factor applies to base damage and all normal modifiers, but not to extra damage dice.

Area Attacks

For actions with area effects, one attack is made against each potential target's Ref defense. The attack gets bonuses from the Weapons - Area Attacks skill.

In most cases, a target that is only partially within an area of effect will still be fully affected. The DM is free to make exceptions to this rule when appropriate, maybe reducing the damage taken or giving a circumstance bonus to defenses.

Critical success: A critical success often inflicts extra damage and also has a chance to destroy the victim’s exposed equipment. Roll 1d4 and randomly select that number of exposed items (those not protected by the victim’s armor). Apply the full energy damage to those items, but note that most objects have energy resistance, take reduced damage from many energy types, and are immune to radiant and necrotic damage.

Placement: For situations where exact placement of an area is difficult (due to poor visibility, long range, et al), the DM should feel free to require an outstanding or even exceptional success for optimal placement. A failure can be resolved by rolling 1d8 to determine an offset direction, and the offset distance should be 1% of the desired range per level of failure.

Body and Mind Attacks

Supernatural attack actions with a non-melee range and one or more targets are typically attacks against each target's Fort or Will defense. The attack gets bonuses from the Weapons - Body & Mind Attacks skill.

Critical success: A critical success will often inflict extra damage, increase duration, or cause additional effects.

For attacks against Fort or Will defenses, the attacker typically becomes aware of the level of success or failure against each defender.

Unless otherwise specified, targets exposed to a hostile spell or action will be made aware of the attempt, regardless of the result of the attack. However, the details of the attack and the identity of the attacker are not automatically revealed.

Combat Reactions

Attacks of Opportunity

Any creature that is able to make melee attacks with a primary attack form and is not flat-footed threatens all squares between its minimum and maximum reach.

If an opponent in a threatened square performs any action that provokes attacks of opportunity, the threatening creature can choose to spend a reaction to make an attack of opportunity. The threatening creature cannot make attacks of opportunity against a creature that has cover or at least good concealment against it.

An attack of opportunity can be any melee attack action that requires 9 AP or less, but it does not actually cost the attacker any APs (unless you use saved APs to boost the attack).

Parrying

Any creature that is able to make melee attacks with a primary attack form and is not flat-footed can potentially use those weapons to parry incoming melee attacks.

When a creature is exposed to an incoming melee attack, and it has a weapon or primary attack form able to make a melee attack action that requires 9 AP or less, it can use a reaction to try to parry the incoming attack with its own weapon.

Combat Skills

The following skill groups have certain effects that are common to each group and that are not repeated for each individual skill in the List of Skills chapter.

Armor Skills

In addition to the benefits listed for each armor skill, the following benefits and effects apply equally to all armor skills:

Armor Skill Effects
Skill Level	Benefit
0	When wearing armor of this type, EP applies to all actions with the PAM or MAM modifier.

Weapon Skills

In addition to the benefits listed for each weapon skill, the following benefits and effects apply equally to all weapon skills:

Weapon Skill Effects
Skill Level	Benefit
0	Attacks with a weapon of this type count as improvised attacks. If the weapon or shield has a parry bonus, halve it. EP from the weapon or shield applies to all actions with the PAM or MAM modifier.
1	After making an attack with the weapon, it provides no parry bonus for the rest of the round.
3	You no longer lose the weapon's parry bonus after attacking with it. You can switch between SP and HP damage without penalty.
4	The weapon can now be used as part of a triple attack.
8	The weapon can now be used as part of a quadruple attack.
12	The weapon can now be used as part of a quintuple attack.
16	The weapon can now be used as part of a sextuple attack.
20	The weapon can now be used as part of a septuple attack.

Weapon Usage

The size of a weapon is important in many ways, since it affects attack speed, reach, and how easily the weapon can be wielded. Weapon size typically refers to the weapon's object size, but in some cases that size by itself is not the only important factor. For example, when determining how a weapon is to be wielded, the size of the weapon relative to its wielder, and also whether the weapon was made for a wielder of that size or not, are more crucial factors than the weapon's absolute object size. For this reason, it is important to understand the difference between weapon/object size, wielder/creature size, and the weapon's made-for-size.

Let us use a longsword made for a Medium-sized wielder as an example. Its weapon or object size is Small, and its made-for-size is Medium. This means that a Medium-sized humanoid can wield it as a one-handed weapon without penalties. A Small-sized humanoid can also wield it but would have to use two hands (and suffer some attack penalties). A Large-sized humanoid can wield it as a "light weapon" (but would also suffer some attack penalties). Likewise, a longsword made for a Large-sized wielder would be a Medium-sized object and could, for example, be wielded by a Medium-sized humanoid using two hands (but with attack penalties).

For a creature's natural attacks, each attack form has its size specified as relative to the whole creature. For example, a humanoid of Medium size typically has 2 arms that count as Diminutive weapons and 2 legs that count as Tiny weapons. Unless otherwise specified, the creature's own size is used as the weapon size for brawling attacks.

This table shows how creatures of which size can use a weapon of a given object size (left axis) and made-for size (top axis). Each entry shows what size a creature must be to use that weapon, how it can wield the weapon (2-handed, 1-handed, or light), and whether it will suffer an attack penalty or not:

Weapon Size
	Made-For Size
Object Size	F	D	T	S	M	L	H	G	C	AP Mod¹
F	F: 2H D: 1H (-2) T: Lt (-4)	F: 2H (-2) D: 1H T: Lt (-2)	F: 2H (-4) D: 1H (-2) T: Lt	-	-	-	-	-	-	-4
D	-	D: 2H T: 1H (-2) S: Lt (-4)	D: 2H (-2) T: 1H S: Lt (-2)	D: 2H (-4) T: 1H (-2) S: Lt	-	-	-	-	-	-3
T	-	-	T: 2H S: 1H (-2) M: Lt (-4)	T: 2H (-2) S: 1H M: Lt (-2)	T: 2H (-4) S: 1H (-2) M: Lt	-	-	-	-	-2
S	-	-	-	S: 2H M: 1H (-2) L: Lt (-4)	S: 2H (-2) M: 1H L: Lt (-2)	S: 2H (-4) M: 1H (-2) L: Lt	-	-	-	-1
M	-	-	-	-	M: 2H L: 1H (-2) H: Lt (-4)	M: 2H (-2) L: 1H H: Lt (-2)	M: 2H (-4) L: 1H (-2) H: Lt	-	-	0
L	-	-	-	-	-	L: 2H H: 1H (-2) G: Lt (-4)	L: 2H (-2) H: 1H G: Lt (-2)	L: 2H (-4) H: 1H (-2) G: Lt	-	+1
H	-	-	-	-	-	-	H: 2H G: 1H (-2) C: Lt (-4)	H: 2H (-2) G: 1H C: Lt (-2)	H: 2H (-4) G: 1H (-2) C: Lt	+2
G	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	G: 2H C: 1H (-2)	G: 2H (-2) C: 1H	+3
C	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	C: 2H	+4

¹AP Mod.: Attack speed AP modifier for a weapon of this size.

Attack Speed

A weapon's attack speed (i.e. the AP cost of a given attack) is determined first and foremost by the weapon's object size. Simply apply the size-based attack speed modifier to the base AP cost of the attack you wish to perform.

For example, the base AP cost for a normal melee attack is 8 AP, and this is also the actual cost for a melee attack with a Medium-sized weapon. To use a Medium-sized humanoid for further examples, its actual attack speed can vary from 5 AP for a fist attack (a Diminutive-sized weapon with -3 attack speed modifier) to 8 AP for a two-handed weapon such as a halberd (a Medium-sized weapon with a +0 attack speed modifier). A Large-sized humanoid could make similar attacks, its actual attack speed varying from 6 AP for a fist attack (a Tiny-sized weapon with -2 attack speed modifier) to 9 AP for a two-handed weapon made for a Large creature (a Large-sized weapon with a +1 attack speed modifier).

Attack speed can be further modified by certain skills and magical effects.

How to Wield

The object size of a weapon relative to the size of the wielder determines how easily it can be wielded. Every weapon can be categorized as follows based on the size difference:

Light: Object size is two steps smaller than wielder size.
It can be used effectively for akimbo attacks and also in cramped situations (such as while grappling).
Light projectile weapons can be fired (but not loaded) with one hand.
One-handed: Object size is one step smaller than the wielder size.
It can be easily wielded in one hand, but it can also be wielded as a two-handed weapon (for a +2 Str bonus to damage).
One-handed projectile weapons can be fired (but not loaded) with one hand (but with a -2 attack penalty).
Two-handed: Object size is the same as the wielder size. It has to be wielded in two hands (giving a +2 Str bonus to damage).
Too small: An object three or more sizes smaller than the creature cannot be effectively wielded as a weapon.
Too large: An object larger than the creature cannot be effectively wielded as a weapon.

Note that natural attacks always count as light weapons, regardless of their relative size.

When used for an akimbo attack, double weapons count as one one-handed and one light weapon. They can only be effectively used in this way by wielders that match the weapon's made-for-size.

When the weapon's made-for-size differs from the wielder size, all attack rolls suffer a -2 circumstance penalty per step of difference. For example, a longsword made for a Large creature is a Medium-sized object that can be wielded two-handed by a Medium-sized humanoid (but with a -2 attack penalty). Similarly, a two-handed sword made for a Small creature can act as a one-handed weapon for a Medium-sized creature (-2 attack penalty), and it can act as a light weapon for a Large-sized creature (-4 attack penalty).

Weapon Reach

As the old saying goes, don't bring a dagger to a swordfight. Attacking someone who has a bigger weapon than you can be a dangerous prospect.

First of all, a weapon's minimum and maximum reach is measured in squares. The weapon can potentially threaten or be used against any opponent that is located within this range, making it either dangerous or time-consuming for such an opponent to perform actions that provoke attacks of opportunity. A weapon with a reach of 0-1, for example, can be used against targets in your own square and up to one square away. A reach of 2-2 means that the weapon threatens all squares that are exactly two squares away, but creatures in squares adjacent to you are safe from attack.

Furthermore, whenever a melee attack action is performed, compare the object size of the attacking weapon with the object size of each primary attack form or weapon of the defender. If the defender has one or more threatening weapons larger than the attacking weapon, the attack provokes an attack of opportunity from the defender. For akimbo attacks you count the size of the largest weapon used against each defender.

However, there are ways to make melee attacks with small weapons without provoking attacks of opportunity. One common way is to make a charge attack instead of a regular melee attack. Another way is to use a Feint action to trick your opponent and bypass his defenses. Furthermore, some conditions (such as being flat-footed or stunned) will typically render a defender unable to make attacks of opportunity. Also remember that a defender is limited in the number of reactions it can make each round, and also that it is unable to make opportunity attacks against any attacker that has cover or good concealment.

Combat Modifiers

Generic Attack Modifiers
Attacker Is...	Melee Mod	Ranged Mod	Supernat Mod
Using unusual weapon¹
- Using secondary natural attack	-4²	-4²	-4²
- Using improvised weapon	-4	-4	-
- Using untrained weapon	-4	-4	-4
Flanking and surrounding¹
- One of two melee attackers	+2	-	-
- One of three melee attackers	+4	-	-
- One of four or more melee attackers	+6	-	-
Advantaged¹
- On higher ground	+1	+0	+0
- Target is grappling	+0	+0³	+0³
- Target is pinned	+4	+0	+0
- Target is helpless	+4	+0	+0
Disadvantaged¹
- Two-handed weapon from mount or in cramped space	-2	-2	+0
- Target adjacent to you	+0	-4	-4
- Target adjacent to your ally	+0	-4	-4
- Target is running	+0	-4	-4
- Target is sprinting	+0	-8	-8
Position¹
- Prone	-4	+2⁴	+0
- Target is kneeling or sitting	+2	-2	-2
- Target is prone	+4	-4	-4

¹ Within each of these categories, apply only the highest absolute modifier.
² This penalty can be reduced with improved skill level in Fighting Style – Akimbo.
³ Attacker has equal chance to strike any grappler.
⁴ Note that many thrown and projectile weapons cannot be used properly from a prone position.

Generic Defense Modifiers
Defender Is...	DeC	Ref	Fort/Will
Visibility¹
- Behind limited cover	+2	+1	+0
- Behind cover	+4	+2	+0
- Behind good cover	+8	+4	+0
- Total cover	-	+8	+0
- Concealment⁵	+4	+0	+0
- Good concealment⁵	+8	+0	+0
- Total concealment or invisible⁵	+10	+0	+0
Disadvantaged¹
- Entangled	+0⁴	+0⁴	+0
- Flat-footed	+0²	+0	+0
- Blind or unable to see attacker	-2²	+0	+0
- Cowering	-2²	-2²	-2
- Stunned	-2²	-2²	-2
- Grappling	+0²	+0²	+0
- Pinned	+0³	+0³	+0
- Helpless	+0³	-2³	-2
Position¹
- Squeezing through tight space	-4	-4	+0

¹ Within each of these categories, apply only the highest absolute modifier.
² Defender can only use passive DeC (not active). When applied to Ref, defender loses Dex and Int bonuses.
³ Same as ², but also treat the defender’s Dex as 0 (-5 modifier).
⁴ Note that an entangled creature also suffers a Dex penalty that can further affect defenses.
⁵ Defensive bonuses from concealment are reduced or removed against attackers not relying on sight.

Limited cover (10% to 30%): Includes very low walls, small trees, and other small obstructions.
Cover (30% to 70%): Includes low walls, battlements, wall corners, trees, opponents between you and the attacker, and other hard obstructions. Attacks of opportunity cannot be made against creatures that have cover towards the attacker.
Good cover (70% to 99%): Includes arrow slits and peering around a corner or tree. You gain the equivalent of Greater Evasion (half or no damage from area attacks against Ref). Attacks of opportunity cannot be made against creatures that have good cover (towards the attacker).
Total Cover (100%): Non-area attacks against creatures with total cover always fail. You gain Greater Evasion against area attacks.
Concealment: Includes anything that makes the defender difficult to see properly, such as fog, shadows, foliage, curtains, etc.
Good concealment: Includes dense fog, dense foliage, near-total darkness, etc. Attacks of opportunity cannot be made against creatures that have good concealment.
Total concealment: The +10 DeC bonus assumes that the attacker is still able to target the right square. Attacks of opportunity cannot be made against creatures that have total concealment.
Cover and concealment also provide a bonus to Hide checks equal to the DeC bonus.

For creatures that occupy more than one square, special rules for cover and concealment apply. When a creature larger than one square is attacking a defender, it can choose any of its squares to determine the defender’s cover and concealment. When a creature larger than one square is defending, all of its squares must have cover or concealment against the attacker in order to receive any bonuses.

Damage Types

The different damage types can be categorized as follows:

Physical Damage

Blunt Damage
Piercing Damage
Slashing Damage

Energy Damage

Acid Damage
Cold Damage
Electricity/Lightning Damage
Fire/Heat Damage
Necrotic/Negative Damage
Radiant/Positive Damage
Sonic Damage

Physical Fatigue Damage
Psychic (or Mental Fatigue) Damage
Ability Damage

Physical Damage

Blunt damage causes a loss in HP and/or SP. An attack that causes 50% or more of a creature's HP or SP in blunt damage requires an Acrobatics (Maintain Balance) check against a DC equal to the damage. Failure means that the creature is knocked prone; for every 5 levels of failure, the creature is also knocked back one square.

Most [Force] effects cause blunt damage.

Piercing damage causes a loss in HP. Objects and creatures that have racial resistance to critical hits of +10 or better take only half damage from piercing attacks (after reduction for DR). The reason is that piercing damage is based largely on striking sensitive areas.

Slashing damage causes a loss in HP.

Damage resistance (DR) reduces every instance of physical damage.

Energy Damage

Acid damage causes a loss in HP.

Moderate cold causes a loss of SP. Severe cold causes a loss of HP and/or SP. Also note that extreme cold can instantaneously freeze water (and many other liquids) in its area of effect, potentially trapping creatures within.

Electricity and lightning usually cause a loss of HP and/or SP.

Moderate heat causes a loss of SP. Severe heat and fire cause a loss of HP and/or SP.

Necrotic damage (also known as negative energy or death energy) causes a loss in HP and/or SP when affecting living creatures. Undead creatures typically regain HP when exposed to necrotic damage.

Radiant damage (also known as positive energy or life energy) causes a loss in HP when affecting living creatures, and undead creatures tend to be particularly vulnerable to radiant damage. Some radiant attacks can also cause blindness. However, moderate amounts of radiance used with care can be used to heal injuries and even restore life.

Sonic damage causes a loss of HP and/or SP. Some sonic attacks can also cause deafness. An attack that causes 50% or more of a creature's HP or SP in sonic damage requires an Acrobatics (Maintain Balance) check against a DC equal to the damage. Failure means that the creature is knocked prone; for every 5 levels of failure, the creature is also knocked back one square.

Energy resistance of the appropriate type reduces energy damage. Note, however, that the amount of resistance is the maximum reduction per round (not per instance).

Energy Damage against Objects

In general, energy damage against objects is handled the same way as energy damage against creatures. In other words, the usual rolls for attacks and damage are made, and the damage is applied to the object's HP. Note that most materials will have resistances to certain energy types; steel, for example, takes reduced damage from fire, electricity, and cold. Objects enjoy the resistances of their base material, although creatures covered by that material do not. For buildings, walls, ground, and other "objects" of undefined size, it is common to apply energy damage to each square or cube separately.

Energy damage can also have special effects when the level of damage reaches certain portions of an object's HP. Suggested effects are shown in the table below. Note, however, that these rules are an oversimplification, and the DM is encouraged to temper them with logic, especially when it comes to low levels of damage accumulated over time. For example, the heat from a candle will never melt a steel object, regardless of the length of time it is applied.

Energy Effects (as a function of damage relative to total HP)
Damage Type	Minimal Damage (10%)	Light Damage (25%)	Moderate Damage (50%)	Heavy Damage (75%)	Broken (100%)	Destroyed (200%)	Other Effects
Acid	Solids show fumes and sizzling	Solids show fumes and sizzling and suffer mostly superficial damage	Solids suffer obvious structural damage	Solids show significant structural damage	Solids dissolve to the point of becoming useless	Solids dissolve completely	Weapons, armor, tools, and similar objects are degraded by acid and should suffer gradual penalties. Water can typically be used to counteract acid damage, so consider reducing the damage in or on water.
Cold	Solids are covered in frost	Solids become brittle and show some cracks	Solids suffer obvious structural damage	Solids show significant structural damage	Solids break into large pieces	Solids pulverize	Cold damage will freeze water (and most water-based liquids) to a thickness of 1 cm per 25 HP of damage. Cold damage will compress gas and may even condense it into liquid. Fire/heat damage will typically counteract cold, but the combination can also make some solids brittle (reduced DR).
Electricity	Solids heat up	Solids smoke and show some heat damage	Solids suffer obvious heat damage, and flammable materials catch fire	Solids show significant heat damage, and flammable materials catch fire	Solids melt or burn to the point of becoming useless	Solids disintegrate into ash or melt completely	Electricity has a tendency to heat up solids (depending on the material's conductivity or lack thereof). It propagates through natural water and most water-based liquids (unless very pure).
Fire	Solids heat up	Solids smoke and start to glow or show some heat damage	Solids suffer obvious heat damage, and flammable materials catch fire	Solids show significant heat damage, and flammable materials catch fire	Solids melt or burn to the point of becoming useless	Solids disintegrate into ash or melt completely	Fire/heat damage will melt ice at a rate of 1 cm per 25 HP of damage. It will evaporate water and most water-based liquids to a depth of 1 cm per 50 HP of damage. Fire damage will also cause gas to expand, possibly bursting containers that carry air or gas within them. Cold damage and water will typically counteract fire, but the combination can also make some solids brittle (reduced DR).
Necrotic	Organic materials show minimal signs of aging	Organic materials show some signs of aging or wilting	Organic materials show obvious signs of aging	Organic materials show serious signs of aging and deterioration	Organic materials deteriorate to the point of becoming useless	Organic materials turn to dust	No effect on inorganic materials.
Radiant	No obvious effect	Organic materials show some swelling	Organic materials glow briefly (dim light within 1 sq) and suffer damage due to bursting cells	Organic materials glow (dim light within 2 sq for 2 r) and show serious damage	Organic materials burst into pieces and show multiple brief flashes of light	Organic materials disintegrate in a quick flash of bright light	No effect on inorganic materials.
Sonic	Solids show some cracking on the surface	Solids show damage as obvious cracks	Solids suffer obvious structural damage	Solids show significant cracking and structural damage	Solids break into large pieces	Solids pulverize	Sonic damage propagates well through water and other liquids, but it rarely has any direct effect on either liquids or gas. It does not propagate at all through vacuum.

Physical Fatigue Damage

Attacks and effects that cause physical fatigue damage result in a decrease in SP. Serious physical fatigue can cause ability damage to Con.

Psychic (or Mental Fatigue) Damage

Attacks and effects that cause psychic damage result in a decrease in PP. Serious psychic attacks can also cause ability damage to Wis.

Ability Damage

Ability damage causes a temporary reduction of the specified ability score(s).

Advanced Combat Rules

Improvised and Untrained Weapons

Whenever an attacker uses a weapon that it has no skill with, the following penalties apply. The same penalties apply for using a non-weapon item as a weapon, such as clubbing someone with a chair or simply throwing a rock at someone. The same penalties also apply for using a weapon in a way it was not meant to work, such as throwing a melee weapon not balanced for throwing, using a throwing weapon or projectile weapon in melee, changing the weapon's damage from HP to SP or vice versa.

-4 penalty on all attack rolls.
The weapon gets an open-ended range of 20 and crit multiplier of ×2.
The weapon's or item's parry bonus is halved.

Dual-Wielding and Akimbo Attacks

Akimbo attacks consist of performing two or more weapon attacks simultaneously (or at least with overlapping timing of the attacks). The most common akimbo attack for a humanoid creature is a two-weapon attack, which is why "two-weapon fighting" and "dual wielding" is sometimes used as a synonym for akimbo attacks. Note that wielding two weapons and attacking first with one and then the other does not constitute an akimbo attack; this would be nothing more than two regular attacks. Akimbo attacking, on the other hand, means that the weapon attacks are either simultaneous or overlapping in time. The benefit of an akimbo attack is that the attacks cost less AP to perform than they would separately, but at the cost of an attack penalty.

The first prerequisite for performing an akimbo attack is that the attacker has multiple natural attack forms (as specified for its race and body category). The second is that the attacker has sufficiently high level in the appropriate weapon skill(s). Any creature with two or more natural attack forms can perform a double attack, regardless of skill. More advanced akimbo attacks (triple, quadruple, etc.), however, require higher levels in the weapon skills for each and every weapon used in the akimbo attack. Note that each natural attack form can only be used once per akimbo attack action.

The action time for an akimbo attack is equal to the sum of the separate attacks' action times minus a reduction specified in the akimbo attack action. The attack penalty is also specified in the akimbo attack action, with a higher penalty for increased number of attacks. Note that the attack penalty can be reduced by using lighter weapons, by attacking a single target with all the attacks, and by increasing one's level in the Fighting Style - Akimbo skill. For example, the base attack penalty for a double attack is -6, but this is reduced to -2 for natural weapons and -4 for light weapons. It follows that the Akimbo skill level required to reduce this penalty all the way to 0 is level 7 for natural weapons, 17 for light weapons, and 27 for one-handed weapons.

As mentioned earlier, most humanoid creatures will primarily use akimbo attack for two-weapon attacks, such as two daggers, a sword and a shield bash, or even two scimitars. However, the akimbo attack action allows for more "exotic" combinations as well, such as a monk doing a triple attack with a staff (a double weapon) and a kick, a drow firing a hand crossbow while also making a sword attack, a lion doing a triple attack with two claws and a bite, a beholder firing multiple eye rays simultaneously, a kraken attacking with several tentacles at once, and so forth.

Mounted Combat

Mounts that are trained for war (or mounts that are natural predators) will automatically move as directed by their rider, even in the heat of combat. However, you still need to make Ride checks if you want to guide the mount only with your knees (freeing up your hands for weapon-wielding and spell-casting). You also need to make Ride checks to direct your mount to attack opponents.

A mount that has not been trained for combat will need Ride checks for all movement as well as attacks.

The following special rules apply to mounted combat:

The mount uses its own AP and MP for action point bonuses and actions. One exception is that brawling attacks with a mount cost AP both for you and the mount. You cannot use your own MP while mounted, but you can convert AP to MP for the dismount action. You can spend AP on other actions while your mount performs full-round movement actions (such as jog, run, and sprint).
Your mount acts on your initiative. You can mix your own actions with those of your mount. For example, you can start by spending the mount's MP on movement, then spend your own AP to make an attack, spend additional MP on another move, and then let the mount spend its AP on an attack.
When charging with a mount, both you and the mount enjoy the charging bonuses as well as suffer the penalties.
It is harder to wield a two-handed or double weapon from a mount, giving you a -2 attack penalty.
Many brawling attacks, such as bull rush and overrun, can be performed with a mount. Use the best AB, ability, skill, and size modifiers, your or the mount’s, for these attacks.
The mount’s spacing is used for both the mount and the rider.
Attacks of opportunity provoked by movement can target either the mount or rider.
When attacking a creature smaller than your mount, you receive the “higher ground” attack bonuses.
An attack that succeeds in forcibly moving you will automatically knock you off your mount.
If multiple riders/passengers are mounted on the same mount, most of the rules above apply to all of them.

Vehicle Combat

Most vehicles are controlled by a designated character, typically a driver, captain, or pilot. That character can perform one vehicle action each round to move the vehicle and/or make an attack with it. If no action is spent controlling the vehicle, it tends to continue moving in roughly the same direction and at the same speed as previous round(s). The DM should try to determine the chance of a crash or similar mishap during each round that a vehicle moves without being controlled.
Passengers that are not busy as crew can perform actions as normal, including manning siege weapons, attacking with ranged weapons, casting spells, etc. The size and nature of the vehicle may of course limit or affect movement actions available to passengers.

The following special rules apply to vehicle movement and combat:

The vehicle acts on the driver's or captain's initiative.
Vehicles have characteristics similar to creatures, including HP, DeC, DR, and Base Speed. These characteristics are also used in the same way that they are used for creatures.
Water vehicles that are below half HP (broken) take on water and will sink in 10d10 rounds unless half of the minimum crew spend all their time bailing water. Water vehicles that reach 0 HP will stop moving and sink in d10 rounds.
Air vehicles that are below half HP (broken) can no longer gain altitude. If they reach 0 HP, they fall uncontrollably towards the ground.
Small or cramped vehicles make it harder to wield two-handed or double weapons, giving the attacker at least a -2 attack penalty.
Attacks of opportunity provoked by movement of the vehicle can target either the vehicle or passengers that are within reach.

Morale

Some situations call for a morale check to determine whether a creature keeps fighting or runs away, whether a captive succumbs to intimidation or laughs in the captor's face, whether an army continues to fight effectively or is routed, etc. A morale check is basically an attack against the creature's Will defense, with a number of situational modifiers.

A morale check is effectively a [Fear] effect. Creatures resistant or immune to [Fear] enjoy the same bonuses against morale checks.

Morale checks should be used primarily against NPCs and monsters. Player characters should only suffer morale checks when exposed to particularly terrifying monsters, [Fear] magic, or other extreme situations.

Morale Check Modifiers
Situation	Circumstance Modifier
Injury	+2 for injured, +4 for bloodied, +8 for near death
Physical Fatigue	+2 for fatigued, +4 for exhausted
Mental Fatigue	+2 for tired, +4 for drained
Loss of Allies	+1 per 10% of perceived losses
Loss of Enemies	-1 per 10% of perceived losses
Leadership	Varies
Inferior Enemy	-1 to -10 (DM discretion)
Superior Enemy	+1 to +10 (DM discretion)

Morale Check Results
Check vs Will	Result
Success	Creature becomes shaken
Outstanding Success	Creature becomes frightened
Exceptional Success	Creature becomes panicked
Critical Success	Creature cowers in fear
Failure	Creature can act normally