{"id":176,"date":"2026-01-02T14:30:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T14:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stygianrealms.com\/?page_id=176"},"modified":"2026-01-02T15:23:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T15:23:34","slug":"combat-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stygianrealms.com\/?page_id=176","title":{"rendered":"Combat Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Combat Basics<\/h1>\r\n

Quick-reference rules for rounds, initiative, turns, attacks, AC, saves, crits, damage, and healing.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Combat Structure<\/h2>\r\n

Combat happens when talking fails and violence begins. It\u2019s structured in rounds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Initiative - Who Goes First?<\/h3>\r\n

At the start of combat, everyone rolls initiative:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  • 1d20 + Dexterity modifier<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n

    The DM might use side-based initiative (one roll for all players vs. one for all monsters) or individual initiative (everyone rolls separately).<\/p>\r\n

    Act in order from highest to lowest.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n

    Your Turn Structure<\/h2>\r\n

    On your turn, you can:<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n
    1. Move up to your movement speed (most species move 20-30 feet per turn)<\/li>\r\n
    2. Take one major action:\r\n
        \r\n
      • Attack<\/li>\r\n
      • Cast a spell<\/li>\r\n
      • Use an item<\/li>\r\n
      • Dash (move again)<\/li>\r\n
      • Help another character<\/li>\r\n
      • Attempt something creative<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/li>\r\n
      • Take minor actions as the DM allows (drop an item, shout a warning, etc.)<\/li>\r\n <\/ol>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
        \r\n

        Making an Attack<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

        Melee Attack (sword, axe, club):<\/h3>\r\n
          \r\n
        1. Roll 1d20 + Strength modifier + weapon bonuses<\/li>\r\n
        2. If your total equals or beats the enemy\u2019s Armor Class (AC), you hit!<\/li>\r\n
        3. Roll your weapon\u2019s damage die + relevant modifiers<\/li>\r\n <\/ol>\r\n\r\n
          \r\n

          Advantage\/Disadvantage notes (in combat):<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

            \r\n
          • Advantage and disadvantage cancel each other out (flat roll)<\/li>\r\n
          • Multiple sources of advantage don\u2019t stack (just roll 2d20)<\/li>\r\n
          • Multiple sources of disadvantage don\u2019t stack (just roll 2d20)<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

            Ranged Attack (bow, crossbow, thrown weapon):<\/h3>\r\n
              \r\n
            1. Roll 1d20 + Dexterity modifier + weapon bonuses<\/li>\r\n
            2. If your total equals or beats the enemy\u2019s AC, you hit!<\/li>\r\n
            3. Roll your weapon\u2019s damage die + relevant modifiers<\/li>\r\n <\/ol>\r\n\r\n

              Spell Attack:<\/h3>\r\n
                \r\n
              • Some spells require attack rolls (like melee\/ranged above, using INT or WIS)<\/li>\r\n
              • Others force enemies to make saving throws (see below)<\/li>\r\n
              • Area of Effect spells affect all in an area, with some exceptions for saving throws<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
                \r\n

                Armor Class (AC)<\/h2>\r\n

                AC is how hard you are to hit:<\/p>\r\n

                  \r\n
                • AC = 10 + Dexterity modifier + armor bonus<\/li>\r\n
                • No armor: AC 10 + DEX<\/li>\r\n
                • With Armor: AC 10 +Armor AC + DEX<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
                  \r\n

                  Saving Throws<\/h2>\r\n

                  Sometimes you need to avoid danger rather than hit something. That\u2019s a saving throw:<\/p>\r\n

                  Roll 1d20 + relevant attribute modifier vs. DC set by DM or spell<\/p>\r\n\r\n

                  Common saves:<\/h3>\r\n
                    \r\n
                  • Strength save: Resist being pushed, break free from restraints<\/li>\r\n
                  • Dexterity save: Dodge explosions, avoid traps, leap aside<\/li>\r\n
                  • Constitution save: Resist poison, endure harsh conditions<\/li>\r\n
                  • Wisdom save: Resist mind control, see through illusions<\/li>\r\n
                  • Intelligence save: Recall information under pressure<\/li>\r\n
                  • Charisma save: Resist banishment, maintain your sense of self<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
                    \r\n

                    Critical Hits and Fumbles<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

                    Natural 20 (Critical Hit):<\/h3>\r\n
                      \r\n
                    • Automatic hit regardless of AC<\/li>\r\n
                    • Roll on the critical hit table for devastating effects<\/li>\r\n
                    • Much more damage and special effects<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n\r\n

                      Natural 1 (Fumble):<\/h3>\r\n
                        \r\n
                      • Automatic miss regardless of bonuses<\/li>\r\n
                      • Roll on the fumble table for complications<\/li>\r\n
                      • Weapon stuck, you fall prone, or worse<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
                        \r\n

                        Damage and Hit Points<\/h2>\r\n

                        When you take damage, subtract it from your Hit Points (HP).<\/p>\r\n

                          \r\n
                        • At 0 HP: You fall unconscious and are dying<\/li>\r\n
                        • Below 0 HP: Roll on Death & Dismemberment table (you might lose a limb or gain a scar, but usually don\u2019t die immediately), at the DM's discretion. Remember, in the Stygian Depths, you CAN die, but the DM might show mercy.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n\r\n

                          Healing:<\/h3>\r\n
                            \r\n
                          • Long rests heal one hit die worth of HP<\/li>\r\n
                          • Short rests (1 hour) do NOT restore HP<\/li>\r\n
                          • Healing spells and potions<\/li>\r\n
                          • Medical treatment with the Healing talent<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                            Combat Basics Quick-reference rules for rounds, initiative, turns, attacks, AC, saves, crits, damage, and healing. Combat Structure Combat happens when talking fails and violence begins. It\u2019s structured in rounds. Initiative – Who Goes First? At the start of combat, everyone rolls initiative: 1d20 + Dexterity modifier The DM might use side-based initiative (one roll for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-176","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t