Crunchy Video Fighting Game Combat Example

[drkrash]

Turn 3...something distinctive about Dramatic Combat.

Rei: We each get another Action Point, right? I’m at 3 now.

Director: And I’m at 2. Let’s roll Initiative.

Rei: A 9!

Director: Me, too!

Rei: So are we considered to have simultaneous Initiative?

Director: Not in the Dramatic system. In the case of tied Initiative, if the two Fighters are Range 0-2, they both automatically use their turn to engage in a Flourish at no Action Point cost.

Rei: So we just close with one another and throw lots of rapid punches and kicks at one another, hoping to connect?

Director: That’s right. So to resolve a Flourish, we each roll an unmodified d10. Whoever wins does an automatic d10 damage to his opponent.

Rei: OK. [Rolls] A 4.

Director: I rolled a 7. So for damage… [Rolls] 6 points.

Rei: And there’s no defense against that?

Director: Nope.

Rei: Alright. I’m down to 19 Life Bar too now.

Director: And that’s the end of the turn. After a furious flurry of brutal attacks, Battle manages to land a punch right across Rei’s jaw. The Flourish knocks you back to Range 2. No Glory earned. You get 2 Super Energy, while Battle gets 1. Time roll is a 4. Time Count is at 86. “Did you feel that, Oshiro? I’m just getting started with you!”

[drkrash]

The last turn of this example. You can see that combat is much faster, with fewer tactical complications and some anime-styled dramatics. It's an alternative for those who want a bit more of a shonen anime feel instead of a fighting game feel.

Rei: Initiative: I roll a 5.

Director: And our hero continues to have his usual luck against the doctor: I rolled a 7.

Rei: How many Action Points do you have?

Director: I have 3 now, and you have 4. But Battle is going to spend one and use a Special Move: his Mystic Shot.

Rei: So how do Special Moves work again?

Director: They get a +2 Accuracy and +1 die size increase on damage, but they can only be used once without spending a lot of Action Points, and if I don’t defeat you with this attack, I don’t get an Action Point next turn. But I can live with that! So, I will have a +2 Accuracy with this attack.

Rei: I will use Defense. I’ll also spend 3 FS to give me a Defense Total 6.

Director: OK. Well, for 3 FS I can give myself a +5 Accuracy and automatically hit. I’ll do that. Damage is normally 1d6+1, so it’s now 1d8+1. [Rolls] 6 more points! Can’t seem to Stun you! You’re also Knocked Back to Range 3.

Rei: I’m down to 13 Life Bar and I lose my action because of Hit Stun. End of the turn?

Director: Looks that way. Dr. Battle followed up his punch attack with a glowing ball of blue ki energy.

Rei: Yes, but before we round up the turn, I’m spending Action Points to heal.

Director: OK! How many? You can spend up to your Power Level.

Rei: Three it is, then. So I heal 9 Life Bar, bringing me back up to 22. “You think you’ve got me where you want me, Battle? I’ve been playing with you this whole time!” I grin at him as I get ready to lunge.

Director: Great! You get 2 more Super Energy, as does Battle for using a Special Move. Battle also earns 3 Glory. Time count… [Rolls] another 5. Down to 81. Let’s see you deliver on your threat…

That was the last example I had planned. However, I'm still fielding "requests," whether for gameplay, Special Move creation, chargen, or whatever.

I will report on the full 5-on-5 fight next week.

And if you're STILL paying attention to this thread (), the official press release should be out next week, complete with cover art!

[nexus]

I like the idea of having two styles of combat resolution do fights can have different flavors depending on of their major important set piece fights or battles of perhaps lesser "importance" but still interesting enough to dice out and detail.