Battlefield Events

[Morrus]

I remember this idea from the 2E Player's Option: Combat & Tactics book, and I recall it spicing up combats quite a bit without adding undue complication. So I've decided to come up with a more interesting and varied 3.5 version (some of the ones in C&T were a bit crap - "A random combatant gets a +4 to AC"; kinda dull, doesn't really add anything).

So I want to come up with a big list (which I will no doubt use in a product, so if you don't want your idea yoinked, don't suggest it here!). Each needs a description and a game mechanic and, most importantly, each needs to be very, very simple: I'm not trying to comlicate things. Here's a couple of ideas I've come up with:

Earth Tremor - a sudden earth tremor forces all combatants to make a DC 15 Reflex save or fall prone.

Distraction - a major event occurs [suggestions?] forcing all combatants to make a DC 10 Concentration check or provoke an attack of opportunity.

Allies - reinforcements arrive for one side or the other.

Weather - a sudden weather change (starts raining, snowing, gets windy, what-have-you) reduces visibility.

I came up with some ideas like forest fires, avalanches and so forth, but they're a bit too major to use to spice up a combat: they pretty much change or end the combat in a big way. That's not the effect I'm after. I'm also not keen on the idea of events which effect just one random combatant - seems a little unfair.

 

[LostSoul]

I think it would be cool if one of these things happened when a player rolls a 1.

Um...

Can't think of any stuff to happen. Sorry!

 

[CsonTep]

Battlefield Debris -- character slips on some random item of dropped equipment, blood, loose stone, whatever. Make a DC 15 Reflex save or become Dazed.

 

[meleeguy]

A sinkhole starts to open!

 

[FrostedMini1337]

Distraction would be like the stuff in war movies: Buddy takes a haldbred between the eyes; Kid Brother gets overrun by cavalry; etc. But that could constitute a moral check most likely and effect very few people. The most distracting thing I could think of spellcasters/weird creatures such as dragons or the deployment of new weapons: The new army has developed firearms or cannons, etc.

I'm not sure if this is the sort of thing you want, but, some suggestions: (Not sure how player interactive you want these to be)

Pullback- One side is overextended on the battlefield and being told to pull back. Every unit must suceed on a DC 15 Will save or become frightened until they retreat. The side that is overwhelming them gains +1 to moral bonus against fear effects.

Impeded Pullback- One side is falling back, and theyre being cut off. Units must suceed on a DC 18 Will save or become panicked. The side that is overwhelming them gains +2 moral bonus against fear effects.

Magic Use: One side has displayed more magic use than the other. The upper magic side gains +1 morale bonus to Will saves, all checks and attack rolls, the lower side takes -1 morale penalty to Will saves, all checks and attack rolls.

Blood Lust: The unit is completely crushing the opposing side. The unit must suceed on a DC 15 will save or become or gain +1 to hit and damage, but can no longer make int,wis, or cha based checks and will not follow orders.

Feint: The unit is faking a loss. The opposing unit gains Blood Lust, but in 2d6 round they are under an Impeded Pullback

 

[Morrus]

Thanks, FrostedMini... I'm more thinking about D&D combat, though, not large scale battles. A PC party and some bad guys.

 

[Wik]

What about battlefield events that will occur if someone makes a certain action that round?

For example, if someone hits with a power attack this round and inflicts X damage or more, than he knocks his target back 1d3 squares.

If there is a large creature on the battlefield, and he hits someone of a smaller size, he knocks things falling.

If a character takes a critical hit from a slashing weapon and fails a fort save, he loses a limb.

The neat thing about doing things this way (I've used a similar, albeit broader, system for a post-apoc d20 game I occasionally run) is that if you roll a situation that couldn't occur (ie, your fight has no large creatures), you get a "normal" battle. Thus, if you roll at the start of every fight, you occasionally get these battle events happening, but they don't happen EVERY fight.

 

[blargney the second]

Three-way - foes arrive and attack you and your current foe.
Wall collapse - a wall collapses, revealing a hitherto undiscovered area.
Horde of insects - an extremely large cloud of innocuous insects flies through the combat for 2d6 rounds. Nobody can make any attacks of opportunity against each other while in the cloud.
Rocks fall - everyone dies.

-blarg

 

[Wik]

Rocks fall - everyone dies.

-blarg

Don't you hate it when your gaming group gets stoned?

 

[JollieRoger]

Pebbles - Area is covered with small stones or loose dirt causing a DC 15 Reflex save or loose 1 AC to keep balance as long as you are in that area.

Stub toe on a rock - make Fort save at DC 10 or take 1 hp or take -1 on all attacks that round.

Gust of wind - -1 on all ranged attacks for 1d4 rounds.

Trumpet sound - make a concentration check to cast spells this round.

Mud - reduces movement by 5ft as long at you remain in that area

Dust cloud rolls in- reduces visability - 2 to spot checks and reducing range by 1 range increment for 1d4 rounds.

Erie or haunting sounds in the distance make a DC 10 will save or reduce listen checks by 2 as your mind focuses on these sounds to the exclusion of others.

Crazed mount - wounded or frightened animal breaks away running throughout battle field make reflex save DC 15 or loose 1 attack as you get out of its way.

Vermin - the sound of battle and smell of blood attracts a swarm of rats

Common enemy arrives - sound of battle attrachs the attention of a common enemy to both groups of combatants

Neutral observers arrive - sound of battle attrachs the attention of a seemingly nuetral party who stay and observe the battle.

Magical residue - an ancient spell is triggered causing a bright flash of light make a DC 15 reflex save or be blinded for 1d4 rounds.

Weapon lodged in opponent - make a D20 roll above damage dealt add Str modifier to dislodge weapon.

Ricochet - a missed range attack bounce of wall/ceiling/rock/whatever and strikes a random person. Roll to hit as normal is a hit is scored new target takes normal damage.

War banner is unfurled gaining 1 side a +1 moral bonus to attacks for the rest of the combat.

You just killed my friend. One opponent goes into a bersarking rage (same as a Barbarian of 1st level) at the death of an ally.

Sun in the eyes - causing a -1 to attacks and -2 to spot checks.

Death screams - make a will save at DC 10 or take a -1 moral penalty to attacks for 1d4 rounds as a casualty makes loud unnerving screams as they die.

Shadows - +2 bonus to hide checks and - 1 to attack rolls

Eye sore- make a Will save DC 10 to not attack an outrageously gaudily dressed opponent above all others.

War cry - a loud series of screams and hollers are made when both sides start to engage. Make a Will save DC 10 to avoid a -1 moral penalty to attacks for the next 1d4 rounds as the cries unnerve you.

Omen - Your god sends a sign of favor gain a +1 moral bonus to all attack rolls for this encounter.

Hopefully this is some of the stuff you are looking for.