Suggestions for learning combat?

[Konyaha]

Aside from playing in games, is there any other way I can learn about combat rules? The group I was in today for my very first D&D session, well the young guys anyway, had the tendancy to tell me what was happening without telling me HOW it was happening.

any suggestions?

 

[Thanee]

Well, I'd try reading the combat section slowly and try to keep to the simple things (like initiative, action types, movement, attack rolls, damage rolls) first, then if you think you got that, expand to the more complex stuff (like attacks of opportunity, special attacks, etc).

Here's a very simple example combat to see how the basics work:

Hero is a 2nd level Fighter with Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14; Hitpoints 20; wearing studded leather armor and a heavy wooden shield (Armor Class 17); armed with a longsword (Attack +4, Damage 1d8+2).

Villain is a 1st level Fighter with Str 12, Dex 12, Con 12; Hitpoints 11; wearing a chain shirt (Armor Class 15); armed with a battleaxe (Attack +2, Damage 1d8+1).

Hero enters room, where Villain is hiding. Hero spots Villain. Villain spots Hero. Combat begins. Hero is 20 ft. away from Villain.

Initiative. Hero 1d20+2=14, Villain 1d20+1=7.

First round.

Hero's turn. Hero takes a move action to get close to Villain and draw his sword during the move, and then a standard action to attack him. Attack 1d20+4=17. Hit. Damage 1d8+2=5.

Villain's turn. Villain takes a move action to draw his battleaxe and a standard action to attack Hero. Attack 1d20+2=13. Miss.

Second round.

Hero's turn. Hero takes a standard action to attack Villain again. Attack 1d20+4=15. Hit. Damage 1d8+2=7.

Villain is now at -1 Hitpoints and dying.

Hope this helps!

Bye
Thanee

 

[Jdvn1]

Aside from playing in games, is there any other way I can learn about combat rules? The group I was in today for my very first D&D session, well the young guys anyway, had the tendancy to tell me what was happening without telling me HOW it was happening.

any suggestions?

Trying asking the older players what's going on. While you need to know the rules ahead of time, which I think is the point of Thanee's post, it's handy if there's someone there telling you how things are happening as they're happening.

When I first started playing, I had an older player act as a mentor, basically, to show me the ropes. We'd talk about my character, what I wanted to do with him, what sort of a personality he had, what to roll and why and when... and he explained all the jokes. There's a lot of stuff to get used to, I think.

 

[rumblehed]

question?

Does the group you game with use any form of battle mapping system? For example, does the combat take place using a large grid in the center of the table with markers for the characters and monsters?

 

[shilsen]

other than actual in-game practice, all you need are two things:

1) Read the combat rules through from beginning to end.

2) Go to the Rules forum on this site, ask questions, and continue to check the forum regularly.

 

[Guillaume]

I always liked the concept of a mentor at the gaming table. It always seems to me that having one person teaching you the ropes is better than having a comitee do the same. Naturally, you have to chose your mentor carfully. You don't want to have an overbearing jerk who will take all the decisions for you. Definitely not cool.

Good luck,

 

[Algolei]

It couldn't hurt to ask one (or more) of the other players to just do a little side-battle--out of game, not actually killing your characters of course--so you can get a feel for what's going on.

My players often face-off with one another if they're sitting around waiting for the game to start.