How do you describe your combat?

[Aazenius]

I find my discriptions hampererd by the nature of DnD HPs. That's part of the reason I'm trying to shift my group to a wound-based system (make a saving throw each time you take damage, on a failed save you take a wound, the severity of which depends on the amount by which you missed the save. If you fail the save by a LOT you drop. Wounds impose penalties to subsequent saves, and to other things if I can talk the group into it. Unfortunately the system in UA is just too streamlined, for instance you are disabled 1 out of every 20 times you take damage, no matter how tough you are.)

*AHEM* sorry.

The alternate Massive Damage Rules from UA work just fine. I found that the wound point system was a bit deadly for D&D. The Massive Damage Rules allow you to use the HP system, with the occasional chance that a hit could be deadly. If the hit is a Massive Damage one, then it is a perfect opportunity to describe the gory details, whether or not the creature dies from the blow.

 

[cmanos]

When DMing, the rounds take two parts. The first ie the mechanical parth where people go around, do what they need to do, make all the rolls and come up with the outcome. The second part is the cinematic description of the event.

Fighter: I charge the demon, hitting for 21 points of damage.
Rogue: I slip into the shadows and stalk up to the demon's flank. I got a 31 on my Hide and a 27 on my Move Silently.
DM: The Demon attacks the Rogue, who forgot that demons could see in the dark. Hits for 37 points of damage.
Wizard: I CAST MAGIC MISSILE! 22 points of damage!
Cleric: I attempt to Banish the demon. I rolled a 16 for my turn check and 12 for my damage. So I can turn creatures up to 13th level, but can only turn 12 HD total.

{DM calculates for a moment}

OK, Fighter charges the demon, his flaming silver sword blazing a slash across the demon's chest. Ichor sprays out of the wound, but the creature doesn't seem to harmed byt he mightly blow. Rogue slips into the shadows and sneaks up on the fiend's backside for a sneak attack, but before she can get one in, the demon turns suddenly, lashing out with an immense clawed hand, tearing a huge gouge out of rogue's side. Wizard begins to chant in Draconic and 5 glowing bolts spring from his hand, striking the foul beast squarely in the chest, bringing forth a howl. Cleric raises his holy symbol, slamming ito into the creature's forehead, "RETURN TO THE DEPTHS FROM WHENS THY CAME!" he screams. Silver radiance springs from the symbol in Cleric's hand and the demon, howls in pain as the power of good sears it's flesh. The creature stumbes backwards howling, and then explodes in a shower of brimstone and ash.

 

[Munin]

I break my descriptions up into two parts.

First, before the player rolls any dice, he describes what he is attempting to do, ie...stab the orc on the chest with his sword, or cut his legs out from under him with his glaive.

Second, depending on the roll, I describe the success or failure of the attempt. At the lower levels I describe nearly every hit, but at the higher levels, only the killing blows or crits.

I find that this method takes some of the creative burden off of me and gives me an idea of what result to describe, ie..you hook your glaive at the feet of the orc, but the beast leaps in the air at the last second..with a power thrust you plunge your sword through the mail of the orc, it collapses in a heap.