[the ineffible GM]

I wonder if perhaps a simple card mechanic could be used instead, for the combat. Give each player a number of numbered cards (I would recomend 1 through four, or 1 through 6) and instead of rolling have each player place one card from their hand face down, and then flip cards at the same time. Apply the numbers on the cards as though they were the numbers on the dice. Then discard both revealed cards. Once a player has played all the cards in his/her hand, they return all 4 or 6 iscarded cards to make a new hand. This means a player will lose at least 1 battle with their 1 card, and has to decide along the way when they want to use it. It also makes for bluffing games as you try and determine which number your opponent has most likely played. Easily turns simple die rolls into simple strategy.