Combat Basics: Attack Rolls and Damage with 4d6 & d6s
Welcome back to “Mastering Morgalad”! In this third article of our series, we’re diving into the heart of the Morgalad Fantasy TTRPG: combat. Combat in Morgalad relies heavily on the 4d6 mechanic for attack rolls and various d6 rolls for determining damage. This guide will provide you with a clear understanding of how to engage in battles, calculate damage, and emerge victorious!
Initiating Combat
When characters traverse the world, not every moment will be wrought with perilous combatants. Adventuring can encompass many aspects. According to “The Cult of Bashrokul 4D6”, the players may be on a mission to investigate strange occurrences in a small coastal town.
The Attack Roll: 4d6 + Bonuses vs. Defense
The core of Morgalad’s combat system revolves around the attack roll. When you attack an opponent, you’ll roll 4d6, add any relevant bonuses, and compare the total to your target’s defense.
- Bonuses: These can come from various sources, including your character’s Finesse attribute, weapon proficiencies, and special abilities.
- Target’s Defense: This is a numerical value representing how difficult it is to successfully land an attack on the target. Base defense measures a character’s natural ability to dodge attacks.
To determine if your attack hits, use the following formula:
4d6 + Attack Bonuses ≥ Target’s Defense
If your total equals or exceeds the target’s defense, your attack hits! If it fails, your attack misses, and no damage is dealt.
Damage Rolls: Determining the Impact
Once you’ve successfully hit your target, it’s time to determine how much damage you inflict. Damage rolls typically involve rolling one or more six-sided dice (d6s) and adding relevant bonuses. The number of d6s you roll and the bonuses you add depend on your weapon and your character’s attributes.
Damage Modifiers
Your character’s Power attribute can also modify damage.
| Attribute Score | Damage |
|---|---|
| -4 to 0 | 0 |
| +1 | +1 |
| +2 | +2 |
| +3 | +3 |
| +4 | +4 |
| +5 | +5 |
| +6 | +6 |
| +7 | +7 |
| +8 | +8 |
Putting It All Together: An Example of Combat
Let’s illustrate the combat system with an example:
- The Scenario: Braditz the dwarf is facing an Enforcer of Bashrokul. Braditz is wielding a longsword.
- The Attack Roll: Braditz rolls 4d6 for his attack. He gets a total of 12. He adds +2 for his finesse. The total is now 14.
- The Enforcer’s Defense: The Enforcer has a defense of 19.
- Does the Attack Hit?: Braditz’s attack roll of 14 does not exceed the Enforcer’s defense of 19, so the attack misses.
Special Abilities and Combat
Many creatures possess special abilities that can significantly impact combat. For example, the Adlet has the “Call of the Wild” ability. Some special abilities modify attacks, some modify damage, and some may give a bonus to the character.
Conclusion
Mastering the combat system is essential for success in Morgalad. By understanding the 4d6 mechanic for attack rolls and how damage is calculated with d6s, you’ll be well-prepared to face any foe. In our next article, we’ll explore how Hosts can design challenging and engaging encounters using Difficulty Ratings and the 4d6 system!