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Combat Examples

Combat Examples

The best way to learn the Drop System combat is to see it in action. Below are three scenarios ranging from a simple duel to a complex boss battle.

Scenario 1: The Duel

Participants: Kael (Traveler, Forma +4) vs. A Bandit (NPC, Forma +3).

Round 1: Initiative

Kael rolls Initiative (Forma + Anima) and gets 7. The Bandit gets 5.
Order: Kael → Bandit.

Round 1: Kael's Turn

Kael moves into melee range (adjacent hex). He attacks with his Longsword.

  • Target Number (TN): Base 4 (Melee).
  • Pool: Forma (+4) + Martial Prowess (+1) = 5 dice.
  • Roll: 2, 4, 5, 1, 6.
  • Result: 4, 5, 6 are successes (≥ 4). The 1 is a failure.
  • Damage: 3 Wounds.

The Bandit has Light Armor (-1 Wound). He takes 2 Wounds total. He is now "Hurt."

Round 1: Bandit's Turn

The Bandit strikes back with a dagger.

  • TN: 4.
  • Pool: Forma (+3) = 3 dice.
  • Roll: 1, 2, 3.
  • Result: All failures!

Kael parries easily.

Scenario 2: The Ambush (Using Reach)

Participants: Vesper (Traveler, Anima +5) vs. 3 Shadow Wolves.

Vesper's Desperate Turn

Vesper is cornered. She decides to cast Firestorm (Potential) to hit all three wolves.

  • Cost: 2 Reverie.
  • Check: Arcane Resonance (TN 12).
  • Pool: Anima (+5).

She rolls: 2, 3, 5, 8, 1. Total 19? No, wait. She needs to hit TN 12 on individual dice? No, Potentials often use sum or single high die. (Correction: Standard Drop System counts successes vs TN, but some checks sum. Let's assume standard: TN 12 is impossible on d6 without Upending. Ah, TN 12 usually implies Sum or Upending. Let's assume she uses Reach to add dice for a Sum check or she Upends.)

Correction: TN 12 is "Challenging" (x4 multiplier). In Drop System, you count successes against TN. Wait, standard TN is 4. TN 12 implies a very hard task where you need 6s or Upended dice.

Vesper decides to Reach for 3 extra dice. She accepts the debt.

  • New Pool: 5 + 3 = 8 dice.
  • Roll: 4, 5, 6, 6, 1, 2, 3, 5.
  • Successes (vs TN 4? No, TN 12 for Potential): She needs to Upend or sum? Let's say she uses Reverie to Upend two dice to d20s.
  • Upended Roll: 15, 18. Both succeed vs TN 12.

The Firestorm erupts. All wolves take 3 Wounds.