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Message: <blockquote data-quote="scars_of_carma" data-source="post: 5144170" data-attributes="member: 86822">In order to simplify combat on a large scale Units have 2 values to consider. Attack and Defense. These are generalized values and modifiers used when considering a units weapons, armor and level of training.Attack BonusPrimitive or Small Weapons (-1)Simple Weapons - (-)Melee Weapon - (+1 / +2)Reach Weapons - Attack Bonus (+3)Ranged Weapons - Can attack targets at range, thats a huge advantageDefense RatingUniform (11)Light or Medium Armor (12-14)Heavy Armor (15-18)TrainingNo Training (-1 Attack, -2 Defense)Basic Training (-)Career Training (+1 Attack, +2 Defense)Expert Training (+2 Attack, +3 Defense)Discipline bonusThis modifier depends on the type of unit and what they are good at. If you order a unit to attack another unit that they are especially trained and experienced to fight they will get a discipline bonus. Conversely, if they are ordered to do something they are not trained for they will get a penalty.Fervor bonusThis modifier is a judgement call based on the leadership score of the commander.________________________________________________________________Instead of rolling for each combatant a PC need only roll once for each attack a unit makes. The target number is the other units defense rating. Depending on the degree of success (the difference of the value rolled above the defense rating) the target unit will suffer more or less casualties. An attacking unit will always take 5% casualties unless target is routing. The basic number of casualties always equals the number of attackers.+13 or more +50% casualties to defender+10-12 +25% casualties to defender+5-9 +10% casualties to defender+1-4 +5% casualties to defender________________________________________________________________Difference in unit size also matters in the scale of losses. But there are two hard rules of thumb. Defending archers do not get a size bonus to defense. Cavalry units always count as twice their number for unit size.Attacking Unit is:25% larger or +100 men = +4 Attack Bonus50% larger or +500 men = +8 Attack Bonus100% larger/Double = +16 Attack Bonus110% larger or more = Defender RoutesDefending Unit is:25% larger or +100 men = -25% casualties50% larger or +500 men = -50% casualties100% larger or double = +25% casualties to attacker110% larger or more + 50% casualties to attacker_______________________________________________________________For example a heavy cavalry banner [141 H. Cavalry] charges 2 companies of infantry [200 infantry]. Attacker has an attack bonus of +4 (+3 for lances, +1 for career training), a defense rating of 18 (for heavy armor) and a discipline bonus of +6 (for charging melee infantry). The attacking cavalry rolls an 18 on their attack role +4 = 22, which is 10 more then the infantries defense rating. By the chart that means defenders suffer an additional 25% casualties as a result of the charge. 140+ 25% of 200 = 165 losses to the defenders. The attackers would normally loose 50% of their unit attacking a larger force, but remember a cavalry unit counts as double for scale. 141 cavalry are equivalent to 280 infantry which means they get an additional +2 attack bonus for being 25% larger then the defender. However that +2 only gives the attackers an total of +12 over the infantry's defense rating which is not enough to receive an additional 25% to the defenders casualties. Thus the final tally is infantry 165 losses, cavalry 7 losses, proving the age-old truth that heavy cavalry can smash melee infantry. However in other circumstances this would not have been the case. _______________________________________________________________Terrain ModifiersHigh ground: +4 atk and defense. (Cavalry cannot charge high ground)Cover: +2 attack and +2 defense.Barrier: +2 defense. [A castle wall would be considered to be all 3 giving defenders a +6 attack and a +8 defense.]_______________________________________________________________Mass Combat ManeuversBasicsThe Battle Grid: One square on the Battle Grid from the DMG = 100ft.Rounds: In Mass Combat one round equals 6 minutes.Initiative: Before the first round begins each general roles to determine who's orders are carried out first. Generals must be very specific with their orders and guidelines. DM's should have their players write down clear concise commands ahead of time and refer to those by a number so as not to give away their plan. Units that have no career training cannot do Full-Round-Actions. Actions: Units on the battlefield have 3 action phases. Actions may use 1, 2 or all 3 of these phases.Standard Action -Change Order [must be in sight of commander or otherwise see signals]-Attack (Melee or ranged)-Charge (2) [includes double-movement]-Fire siege weapon (2)-Pursue (2) [includes double movement and attack vs. a retreating foe]Move Action-March-Prepare volley-Load Siege Weapon-Alter Formation (2) -Set vs. Charge (2) [infantry must have reach weapons]-Retreat [double move but provokes attack from defenders]Full Round Actions-Disengage [includes double movement]-Encircle [+4 Attack next round]-Move Siege weapon-Skirmish [includes movement and attack with +2 defense]more to come... including movement, fatigue and Command. discuss...</blockquote>

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