Can a combat system be based on marching order?

[Crazy Jerome]

Some ways you can do something similar:

• Abstract positioning by intent, ala Burning Wheel.
• Zones, best discussion I know of being the stuff that ENWorld user @Rune (correction: @AeroDM) wrote. (Don't have a link to his site handy right now.)
• A slightly more abstract version of marching order, by where the character wants to be--hang back, engage melee, skimish around the edge.

If you do the last one, it should be noted that a melee character (or perhaps melee "companion" should be allowed to hang back with the squishes in order to head off attacks. And I think you need at least three options, thus "skirmish".

Abstract positioning by intent requires some mechanic for each character to test (almost always an opposed test). So if Joe the Fighter says he wants to lock up the orcs in melee, he does his "movement" by rolling against their "movement". If he wins, he keeps at least some of them from getting by. If he loses the positioning contest, they get by. Either way, he gets to take a shot at one after positioning, and the ones locked down near him can take a shot at him.

Addition: http://runeward.blogspot.com/2011/07/zone-combat.html

That is the first zone article referenced above. There were several followup articles that same month, and then some more later.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I'm still intrigued by the pure marching order concept. What if the party has had a few run ins with save-or-die bodaks while exploring. Who is going to take point?

It's important that there is only one position for each character. If there a multiple stances players will always pick the most advantageous. But if several characters want the same spot something interesting is bound to happen.

In recent editions you are rewarded for seeking perfection. There is a perfect build. Marching order changes that a little bit.

 

[Rune]

Zones, best discussion I know of being the stuff that ENWorld user [MENTION=67]Rune[/MENTION] wrote. (Don't have a link to his site handy right now.)

As interested as I am in these ideas, I don't think you're talking about me, as I don't have a different site.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Marching order is exactly how I run things in my Becmi game. Saves bitching and moaning about who was where. The front rank is generally attacked, so the fighters suck up the damage, unless something sneaks up on the wizard and thief from behind. Of course, that all goes out the window in large rooms or outdoors.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

As interested as I am in these ideas, I don't think you're talking about me, as I don't have a different site.

Abject apologies! I had just noticed that I got it wrong a few moments ago. @AeroDm is the user I was thinking, but his site has got "rune" something or another in the title.