Birthright-L
05-28-2005, 07:30 PM
The following was adapted from a homebrew combat system designed for
warhammer RPG. I`ve taken all of the same ideas and charts and
modified them and tweaked them a little. Please let me know if you
have any ideas for improving this system.
---
This system uses Army Strength Points (ASP) to represent the combat
forces of each army in a battle. An army`s Army Strength Points (ASP)
is calculated by adding together the total Troop Strength Points (TSP)
for each military unit engaged in a battle. Equipment, training, and
experience can all influence the Troop Strength Points (TSP) of a
military unit. Additional influences such as a leader`s tactical
skills, unit morale, or magic used on the battle field may effect the
ASP of armies over the course of a battle.
Each type of military unit has a base "average" TSP value associated
with it. If a unit is trained to a greater or lesser degree than
average, you can modify its TSP value as follows:
Unit Experience TSP Modifier
----------------------- -------------------
Elite TSP x2
Veteran TSP x1.5
Average Base TSP
Green TSP x .5
Untrained TSP x .25
For your convinience, these calculations have been done for you on the
following table:
Troop Type Untrained Green Average Veteran Elite
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heavy Cavalry 2 4 8 12 16
Medium Cavalry 1.5 3 6 9 12
Light Cavalry 1 2 4 6
8
Heavy Infantry 1.25 2.5 5 7.5 10
Medium Infantry 1 2 4 6 8
Pikemen 1 2 4 6
8
Light Infantry 0.75 1.5 3 4.5 6
Skirmishers 0.5 1 2 3 4
Light Archers 1.25 2.5 5 7.5 10
Heavy Archers 2 4 8 12 16
War Engine - - 15-50 - -
A champion hero can also influence the ASP of an army by contributing
its own TSP. A monster or special character with character classes
can calculate their TSP using the following table. If a character
possesses a special item, artifact, or relic of significance, that too
can add TSP. Note that it is possible for a character to die in
midbattle, and if this happens then the character will no longer
contribute TSP to the army`s ASP.
Hero Type TSP
---------------------------------------
Hero/Villain 0.5 per character level
Magical Item/Relic 1 per 100,000xp
Special Monster 1 per Hit Die
Minor Bloodline +2 TSP
Major Bloodline +5 TSP
Great Bloodline +10 TSP
Leadership Feat Total TSP * 1.25 (only the Commander of an army
can recieve this bonus)
Each battle is decided by turns which last 1 hour. Each turn, both
players will roll a 1d10. The higher role will be considered to be
winning the battle turn, and the difference between the values will
determine the casualties for the turn. Special circumstances may add
to your army`s ASP for that turn. A hold on superior terrain, a
spellcaster weilding his magics, or a leader making a crucial decision
at a decisive moment may influence the army`s battle roll for the
turn.
Circumstance Battle Roll Bonus
----------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
PC Resolves "HF" Encounter (see below) +1
Defender has terrain advantage +1-6 (-1 bonus per
battle turn after first)
Successful casting of any battle spell* +1 per spell level
(bonus * .5 after first spell in battle turn)
Superior Numbers (x2, x3, x4, etc...) +1 per multiplier
(minimum +2 for x2 forces)
Commander`s Bloodline is Major +1
Commander`s Bloodline is Great +2
Troops restricted to honorable combat -1
Troops subject to stupidity -1
Troops subject to insanity -1
Troops suffering from magical fear -2
* Note that the bonus for casting a spell is not commulative with any
other effect. For example, if a spell casts fear on enemy troops, you
do calculate the modifier for "troops subject to magical fear" if you
are already calculating the modifier for "casting a battle spell".
Required Unit Special Actions / Battle Roll Bonus
--------------------
---------------------------------------------------
Cavalry Charge: +1, plus an additional +1 per 3
Cavalry units
Pikemen Negate two Cavalry`s units ability to charge
Archers Temporary bonus of +1 per 10 TSP, -1 from
bonus per turn thereafter
The DM should make a note of each army`s respective status at the end
of each battle turn. These are:
* VICTORY - When the enemy is routing, fleeing the field of battle, or
almost completely eliminated. This status signals the last turn of the
battle.
* WINNING- Winning a normal battle turn results in this status. The
tide of Battle is in your favor.
* DEADLOCK- If the adjusted roll for both sides results in a tie. The
two armies are both locked tooth and nail.
* LOSING - Losing a normal battle turn results in this status. The
tide is turning against you.
* DEFEAT - Your army is in tatters, the survivors rout, leaving the
dead and wounded on the field.
Turn Casualties
To determine the casualties to the loser of each turn`s battle roll,
compare the difference in the two sides` dice roll. The difference is
subtracted from the winner`s total ASP. The loser suffers twice this
much. Fifty percent of these casualties are considered dead and the
remainder are wounded, routed, or otherwise suppressed. The side in
control of the battlefield at the end of the battle can recover the
remainder.
--------------------
PC Actions in Battle
--------------------
If any PC is directly involved in the battle, then the following
system can be used to help keep track of their heroic exploits from
turn to turn. Each character participating in a battle should
describe their actions in general detail before each turn result is
determined. The GM should then decide on one of the following four
`modes of behaviour` for that character:
Courageous- The character is found at the front lines, rushing the
enemy, seeking out the most challenging foes for hand to hand combat,
and generally engaging in heroics. This mode is the most dangerous but
it also holds the most chance for reward and special honor.
Average- The character does not fight with notable courage or
cowardice. The character will usually work in formation with larger
military units.
Hang Back- The character tries to stay well away from the thick of the
battle and generally only tries to defend themselves. This mode may be
considered cause for dishonor in some cases, especially if the
character was depended upon to provide leadership or engage in
heroics.
Run Away- The character attempts to flee at the first chance of
escape. This mode may later be considered desertion from duty or at
the least, cause for dishonor. Only if the character is severely
wounded should this mode be considered justified in the eyes of the
other troops.
Two charts are used to calculate the result of these behaviors. The
result of rolling on the first chart gets you an action number. Roll
1d6 and use the next chart to cross reference the action number with
the d6 result. This fleshes out some details as to the character`s
heroic actions, and may possibly spring up a threat on the PCs.
To acquire the PC`s action number:
PC Behavior Victory Winning Deadlock Losing Defeat
Courageous 1 2 2 5 8
Average 1 3 3 6
9
Hang Back 4 4 4 7 10
Run Away 10 10 10 10 10
_________________________D6 Roll_______________
Action Number 1 2 3 4
5 6
---------------------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
1 2-7 2-7/W 2-7/W 2-12/W 2-20/HF 2-20/HF
2 1-6 1-6/W 1-6/W 1-6/W 1-6/F
1-6/F
3 1-3/W 1-6/W 1-3/WW 1-3/WW 1-3/HF 1-3/HF
4 N 1-6/W N 1
1 1
5 1-6/W 1-6/W 1-6/W 1-6/WW 1-5/W 1-6/1F
6 1-3/W 1-6/W 1-3 1-3/W 1-3
1-3/1F
7 N 1-6/W 1 1
1 1
8 HF 1-6/W ESC/WWW ESC/SUR ESC/HF ESC
9 F 1-6/W SUR WW ESC/F ESC
10 F 1-6/F ESC/W ESC/WW ESC ESC
#-# : This is the number of common enemies killed in the heat of
battle. In general, dispatching these foes does not earn an
individual experience award, although the DM may decide to grant story
award bonuses if the total record for the player, over the course of
his career, totals an excessively "heroic" number. A DM may want to
adjust these numbers for higher level characters. For every four
character levels the character possesses, multiply this number x2.
W: Each "W" indicates the character has suffered a wound. Generally,
each wound will inflict 1d6 damage plus 1d6 for each 40 ASP of the
enemy forces.
F: The character engages a single foe of equal ability in hand to hand
combat, or faces a confrontation will multiple weaker forces with
equivilent difficulty to an equally matched foe. Fight the combat
using standard D&D combat rules.
HF: The character engages a single or a group of foes in an act of
heroics. Generally this will result in an encounter or situation of
signficant difficulty. If the PC or PC group successfully resolves
this encounter in some way that will benefit his army (i.e.,
dispatching a difficult foe or distracting some part of the enemy`s
force), then next turn that character`s army will recieve a +1 bonus
to his battle roll result.
N: The character has no special encounters this turn, possibly as a
result of being lost in the crowd or purposely hanging back.
ESC: The character escapes from the battle- either as a deserter or
routing with the rest of the army.
SUR: The character is surrounded by a mass of enemy troops. The PC can
either attempt to breakout or surrender. To attempt a breakout roll on
1d6 on the above table, assuming an action number of 9. Any ESC
result means the character fought their way out tooth and nail, and
should probably gain a small experience award. Another SUR result
means the character has been captured by the enemy. Any other results
should be resolved as normal followed by another roll on action number
9 until the character breaks out, is killed, or is captured.
Example of Play: The Battle at Groen`s Mill
-------------------------------------------
The wealthy nobleman Lord Berrl is waging war on the Vale Knights
competing for his land. For this purpose he has mustered 2 units of
Heavy Cavalry, 2 units of Medium Infantry, and 2 units of Heavy
Archers. All of these units are "average" units, for a total of 40
TSP. He has assigned an unblooded 8th level PC fighter named Otto to
command the army, and two of his 8th-level companions accompany him,
Black Kellri the Trollslayer, and Edna Hurst, a priestess of Neserie.
Each PC contributes 4 TSPs for their character levels, except Otto who
contributes 6 TSPs because he is the Commander and has the Leadership
feat. The total ASP for Lord Berrl`s army is 54 ASP.
The Vale Knights, for their part, have 10 units of Medium infantry and
one unit of Virtuous Champions (Heavy Infantry) for a total of 45 ASP.
Again, all of average experience.
The two armies meet in a clearing near Groen`s Mill. With neither
side wishing to parley, the battle ensues immediately. Lord Berrl`s
forces charge the Vale Knights who are advancing slowly across the
clearing. Otto, seeking glory (and a promotion) decides to
courageously lead the cavalry charge. Black Kellri, screaming a
dwarven battle-cry courageously charges as well. Edna, a frail, wispy
sort decides to hang-back and tend to any wounded.
Each side rolls 1d10. Lord Berryl`s forces recieve a +1 bonus due to
their successful charge (since the Vale Knights have no pikemen).
Because the Vale Knights have almost twice as many military units as
Lord Berryl`s forces, the DM decides to give the Vale Knights the +2
Superior Numbers bonus. Lord Berryl rolls a 6 for his d10 roll,
giving a final result of 7. The Vale Knights roll a 2, with a +2
bonus, modifying the total to 4.
The casualties for the first hour of battle are 6 ASP for the Vale
Knights, and 3 ASP for Lord Berryl`s forces. Now, the DM determines
the results for the 3 PC`s.
As Otto is acting courageously, and his army is winning he checks for
his action number and gets an action number of 2. Otto then rolls a
6. He has managed to kill 4 (1-6) footmen in the heat of battle. He
also encountered a lone Virtuous Champion who he battles one-on-one
using the normal D&D system.
Black Kellri will use the same action number as Otto as both are
courageous this turn. He rolls a 2. He has slain 5 (1-6) footmen and
taken 1 wound (2d6 damage).
Finally, Edna will have an action number of 4 because her force is
winning but she is hanging back and avoiding confrontation. She rolls
a 5. She has beaten a single footman, who was probably threatening a
wounded soldier.
This concludes the first hour of battle.
warhammer RPG. I`ve taken all of the same ideas and charts and
modified them and tweaked them a little. Please let me know if you
have any ideas for improving this system.
---
This system uses Army Strength Points (ASP) to represent the combat
forces of each army in a battle. An army`s Army Strength Points (ASP)
is calculated by adding together the total Troop Strength Points (TSP)
for each military unit engaged in a battle. Equipment, training, and
experience can all influence the Troop Strength Points (TSP) of a
military unit. Additional influences such as a leader`s tactical
skills, unit morale, or magic used on the battle field may effect the
ASP of armies over the course of a battle.
Each type of military unit has a base "average" TSP value associated
with it. If a unit is trained to a greater or lesser degree than
average, you can modify its TSP value as follows:
Unit Experience TSP Modifier
----------------------- -------------------
Elite TSP x2
Veteran TSP x1.5
Average Base TSP
Green TSP x .5
Untrained TSP x .25
For your convinience, these calculations have been done for you on the
following table:
Troop Type Untrained Green Average Veteran Elite
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heavy Cavalry 2 4 8 12 16
Medium Cavalry 1.5 3 6 9 12
Light Cavalry 1 2 4 6
8
Heavy Infantry 1.25 2.5 5 7.5 10
Medium Infantry 1 2 4 6 8
Pikemen 1 2 4 6
8
Light Infantry 0.75 1.5 3 4.5 6
Skirmishers 0.5 1 2 3 4
Light Archers 1.25 2.5 5 7.5 10
Heavy Archers 2 4 8 12 16
War Engine - - 15-50 - -
A champion hero can also influence the ASP of an army by contributing
its own TSP. A monster or special character with character classes
can calculate their TSP using the following table. If a character
possesses a special item, artifact, or relic of significance, that too
can add TSP. Note that it is possible for a character to die in
midbattle, and if this happens then the character will no longer
contribute TSP to the army`s ASP.
Hero Type TSP
---------------------------------------
Hero/Villain 0.5 per character level
Magical Item/Relic 1 per 100,000xp
Special Monster 1 per Hit Die
Minor Bloodline +2 TSP
Major Bloodline +5 TSP
Great Bloodline +10 TSP
Leadership Feat Total TSP * 1.25 (only the Commander of an army
can recieve this bonus)
Each battle is decided by turns which last 1 hour. Each turn, both
players will roll a 1d10. The higher role will be considered to be
winning the battle turn, and the difference between the values will
determine the casualties for the turn. Special circumstances may add
to your army`s ASP for that turn. A hold on superior terrain, a
spellcaster weilding his magics, or a leader making a crucial decision
at a decisive moment may influence the army`s battle roll for the
turn.
Circumstance Battle Roll Bonus
----------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
PC Resolves "HF" Encounter (see below) +1
Defender has terrain advantage +1-6 (-1 bonus per
battle turn after first)
Successful casting of any battle spell* +1 per spell level
(bonus * .5 after first spell in battle turn)
Superior Numbers (x2, x3, x4, etc...) +1 per multiplier
(minimum +2 for x2 forces)
Commander`s Bloodline is Major +1
Commander`s Bloodline is Great +2
Troops restricted to honorable combat -1
Troops subject to stupidity -1
Troops subject to insanity -1
Troops suffering from magical fear -2
* Note that the bonus for casting a spell is not commulative with any
other effect. For example, if a spell casts fear on enemy troops, you
do calculate the modifier for "troops subject to magical fear" if you
are already calculating the modifier for "casting a battle spell".
Required Unit Special Actions / Battle Roll Bonus
--------------------
---------------------------------------------------
Cavalry Charge: +1, plus an additional +1 per 3
Cavalry units
Pikemen Negate two Cavalry`s units ability to charge
Archers Temporary bonus of +1 per 10 TSP, -1 from
bonus per turn thereafter
The DM should make a note of each army`s respective status at the end
of each battle turn. These are:
* VICTORY - When the enemy is routing, fleeing the field of battle, or
almost completely eliminated. This status signals the last turn of the
battle.
* WINNING- Winning a normal battle turn results in this status. The
tide of Battle is in your favor.
* DEADLOCK- If the adjusted roll for both sides results in a tie. The
two armies are both locked tooth and nail.
* LOSING - Losing a normal battle turn results in this status. The
tide is turning against you.
* DEFEAT - Your army is in tatters, the survivors rout, leaving the
dead and wounded on the field.
Turn Casualties
To determine the casualties to the loser of each turn`s battle roll,
compare the difference in the two sides` dice roll. The difference is
subtracted from the winner`s total ASP. The loser suffers twice this
much. Fifty percent of these casualties are considered dead and the
remainder are wounded, routed, or otherwise suppressed. The side in
control of the battlefield at the end of the battle can recover the
remainder.
--------------------
PC Actions in Battle
--------------------
If any PC is directly involved in the battle, then the following
system can be used to help keep track of their heroic exploits from
turn to turn. Each character participating in a battle should
describe their actions in general detail before each turn result is
determined. The GM should then decide on one of the following four
`modes of behaviour` for that character:
Courageous- The character is found at the front lines, rushing the
enemy, seeking out the most challenging foes for hand to hand combat,
and generally engaging in heroics. This mode is the most dangerous but
it also holds the most chance for reward and special honor.
Average- The character does not fight with notable courage or
cowardice. The character will usually work in formation with larger
military units.
Hang Back- The character tries to stay well away from the thick of the
battle and generally only tries to defend themselves. This mode may be
considered cause for dishonor in some cases, especially if the
character was depended upon to provide leadership or engage in
heroics.
Run Away- The character attempts to flee at the first chance of
escape. This mode may later be considered desertion from duty or at
the least, cause for dishonor. Only if the character is severely
wounded should this mode be considered justified in the eyes of the
other troops.
Two charts are used to calculate the result of these behaviors. The
result of rolling on the first chart gets you an action number. Roll
1d6 and use the next chart to cross reference the action number with
the d6 result. This fleshes out some details as to the character`s
heroic actions, and may possibly spring up a threat on the PCs.
To acquire the PC`s action number:
PC Behavior Victory Winning Deadlock Losing Defeat
Courageous 1 2 2 5 8
Average 1 3 3 6
9
Hang Back 4 4 4 7 10
Run Away 10 10 10 10 10
_________________________D6 Roll_______________
Action Number 1 2 3 4
5 6
---------------------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
1 2-7 2-7/W 2-7/W 2-12/W 2-20/HF 2-20/HF
2 1-6 1-6/W 1-6/W 1-6/W 1-6/F
1-6/F
3 1-3/W 1-6/W 1-3/WW 1-3/WW 1-3/HF 1-3/HF
4 N 1-6/W N 1
1 1
5 1-6/W 1-6/W 1-6/W 1-6/WW 1-5/W 1-6/1F
6 1-3/W 1-6/W 1-3 1-3/W 1-3
1-3/1F
7 N 1-6/W 1 1
1 1
8 HF 1-6/W ESC/WWW ESC/SUR ESC/HF ESC
9 F 1-6/W SUR WW ESC/F ESC
10 F 1-6/F ESC/W ESC/WW ESC ESC
#-# : This is the number of common enemies killed in the heat of
battle. In general, dispatching these foes does not earn an
individual experience award, although the DM may decide to grant story
award bonuses if the total record for the player, over the course of
his career, totals an excessively "heroic" number. A DM may want to
adjust these numbers for higher level characters. For every four
character levels the character possesses, multiply this number x2.
W: Each "W" indicates the character has suffered a wound. Generally,
each wound will inflict 1d6 damage plus 1d6 for each 40 ASP of the
enemy forces.
F: The character engages a single foe of equal ability in hand to hand
combat, or faces a confrontation will multiple weaker forces with
equivilent difficulty to an equally matched foe. Fight the combat
using standard D&D combat rules.
HF: The character engages a single or a group of foes in an act of
heroics. Generally this will result in an encounter or situation of
signficant difficulty. If the PC or PC group successfully resolves
this encounter in some way that will benefit his army (i.e.,
dispatching a difficult foe or distracting some part of the enemy`s
force), then next turn that character`s army will recieve a +1 bonus
to his battle roll result.
N: The character has no special encounters this turn, possibly as a
result of being lost in the crowd or purposely hanging back.
ESC: The character escapes from the battle- either as a deserter or
routing with the rest of the army.
SUR: The character is surrounded by a mass of enemy troops. The PC can
either attempt to breakout or surrender. To attempt a breakout roll on
1d6 on the above table, assuming an action number of 9. Any ESC
result means the character fought their way out tooth and nail, and
should probably gain a small experience award. Another SUR result
means the character has been captured by the enemy. Any other results
should be resolved as normal followed by another roll on action number
9 until the character breaks out, is killed, or is captured.
Example of Play: The Battle at Groen`s Mill
-------------------------------------------
The wealthy nobleman Lord Berrl is waging war on the Vale Knights
competing for his land. For this purpose he has mustered 2 units of
Heavy Cavalry, 2 units of Medium Infantry, and 2 units of Heavy
Archers. All of these units are "average" units, for a total of 40
TSP. He has assigned an unblooded 8th level PC fighter named Otto to
command the army, and two of his 8th-level companions accompany him,
Black Kellri the Trollslayer, and Edna Hurst, a priestess of Neserie.
Each PC contributes 4 TSPs for their character levels, except Otto who
contributes 6 TSPs because he is the Commander and has the Leadership
feat. The total ASP for Lord Berrl`s army is 54 ASP.
The Vale Knights, for their part, have 10 units of Medium infantry and
one unit of Virtuous Champions (Heavy Infantry) for a total of 45 ASP.
Again, all of average experience.
The two armies meet in a clearing near Groen`s Mill. With neither
side wishing to parley, the battle ensues immediately. Lord Berrl`s
forces charge the Vale Knights who are advancing slowly across the
clearing. Otto, seeking glory (and a promotion) decides to
courageously lead the cavalry charge. Black Kellri, screaming a
dwarven battle-cry courageously charges as well. Edna, a frail, wispy
sort decides to hang-back and tend to any wounded.
Each side rolls 1d10. Lord Berryl`s forces recieve a +1 bonus due to
their successful charge (since the Vale Knights have no pikemen).
Because the Vale Knights have almost twice as many military units as
Lord Berryl`s forces, the DM decides to give the Vale Knights the +2
Superior Numbers bonus. Lord Berryl rolls a 6 for his d10 roll,
giving a final result of 7. The Vale Knights roll a 2, with a +2
bonus, modifying the total to 4.
The casualties for the first hour of battle are 6 ASP for the Vale
Knights, and 3 ASP for Lord Berryl`s forces. Now, the DM determines
the results for the 3 PC`s.
As Otto is acting courageously, and his army is winning he checks for
his action number and gets an action number of 2. Otto then rolls a
6. He has managed to kill 4 (1-6) footmen in the heat of battle. He
also encountered a lone Virtuous Champion who he battles one-on-one
using the normal D&D system.
Black Kellri will use the same action number as Otto as both are
courageous this turn. He rolls a 2. He has slain 5 (1-6) footmen and
taken 1 wound (2d6 damage).
Finally, Edna will have an action number of 4 because her force is
winning but she is hanging back and avoiding confrontation. She rolls
a 5. She has beaten a single footman, who was probably threatening a
wounded soldier.
This concludes the first hour of battle.