My Castles & Crusades House Rules: Part 2 - Combat

"Tales From The Crypt" by Brian Paul Thomas

Initiative

• Initiative will be resolved by the book with the following changes/clarifications:
• We will use a d12 instead of a d10. (Why? Because f*ck you, that's why.)
• Ties with opponents go to the player.
• Ties between players are resolved by the players (roll off, discussion, etc.).

Surprise Roll

• The CK will roll as normal. 
• For the players, each player will roll a make a wisdom or dexterity check. 
• The highest roll will be used for the entire group.

"Double Dagger Elf" by Joseph Qui

Shields and Dual Weapon Wielding

• If a PC fights with two weapons, the standard attack penalties apply if the PC wishes to attack with both weapons during the round. Otherwise, the second weapon (which must be medium or smaller), grants an AC bonus.

Small Weapon

• +1 to AC but only for one attack per round (which will be the first attack unless otherwise specified by the player).
• No AC bonus versus ranged attacks.

Medium Weapon

• +1 to AC for all attacks that round
• No AC bonus versus ranged attacks

Shields

• +1 bonus to the AC bonus listed in the Players Handbook  (i.e., +1 to whatever a shield normally gives)
• AC bonus against both melee and ranged attacks

"Storm's End Strike" by Gorrem

Critical Success & Failures

Critical Hits

• A natural 20 always hits. 
• If that is the only way the PC could hit, there is no extra bonus. 
• Critical hits are resolved via “Great Hits & Terrible Misses” tables from The Crusader #7 (although a “00” result will result in a re-roll instead of instant death).
• Players can always opt to do standard, critical damage instead of using the tables.
• When a PC is the victim of a critical hit, the player can decide whether to receive the normal critical damage or to suffer the effects of the tables.

Critical Fumbles

• A natural 1 always misses. 
• If the PC would normally hit (i.e., due to attack bonuses), it is simply a miss.
• Critical hits are resolved via “Great Hits & Terrible Misses” tables from The Crusader #7 (although a “00” result will result in a re-roll instead of instant death).