Initiative

Couldn't get easier than a coin toss. You will flip a coin and design which entire side is going to go first. So side based initiative with a coin flip.

If one side is surprised, that side will default to going second, and they won't have access to Quick Actions during that first round.

Turns / Rounds

Turns are pretty unique in this game, in that they truly are group turns. Anyone on the same side can take their move action or their attack actions in any order. This gives you a lot of tactical leeway. Player 1 can move up to an enemy and wait for Player 2 to also move up so that they are flanking that enemy before they both use their attack actions.

Rounds are over once both group (or all groups) have taken their turns. The game also provides conditions that might signify when combat is over.

• Death
• Surrender
• Flee

Each of these has mechanics behind them to help with solo play.

Action Economy

You have three actions types that you will be taking: Main, Move, Quick. Your main action is going to be attacks, defending, helping, casting spells, etc.

Your move is going to be grid based distances and is based on your dexterity. You can break up your total movement around any action you are taking that turn. You could move, attack, finish moving.

Quick actions are the unique, and most tactical actions you have. These are a combination of 5e reactions and bonuses actions. You get 1 quick action a round, and can use it whenever you want to. Just understand its gone when you do. These allow you to counterattack, maintain a spell effect, cast a spell really quickly, withdraw away from people, etc.

Attack Mechanic

Attacking is dependent on your aptitude with a certain weapon. You always take the highest aptitude for a weapon also. For instance a knife is both a bladed weapon and a finesse weapon. So if you are trained in one but an expert in another then you are an expert.

When you attack you make an accuracy test, which is a d20 + aptitude modifier + attribute modifier. The attribute is dependent on melee weapon, ranged, or type of spell. The result of this roll is trying to beat the NPC/Monster's armor class.

If you are flanking in this game you and your ally will both get a +2.

Defensive Mechanic

There are three types of defensive tests you can take: Dodge, Endure, Resolve. These are based on your attributes: Dexterity, Might, Presence.

Depending on the type of attack you are defending against will determine which of these you use. Your test is going to be a d20 + attribute modifier + aptitude level. You then are rolling against the NPC/Monsters skill level.

If you are hit, armor will be able to help you absorb damage. There is number that armor will subtract based on the type. Shields can help increase your Dodge ability.

Modifications to Resolution

You have already seen that there are the standard modifications of (+)'s and (-)'s. In addition (pun intended) to this you have Favored and Hindered.

These work like Advantage/Disadvantage and Boon/Bane. The idea that you can roll multiple dice and take the higher or the lower results.

Luck is a currency that you have at your disposal. You will roll your class's luck die before you start playing, and this lets you know how many luck points you have. You can do the following with 1 luck point:

• Become Favored with a d20 roll
• Reroll a d20 you have already rolled
• Immediately cause max damage with an effect/attack - awesome

Critical rolls will have different effects depending on the type of test you are taking

• Accuracy Tests = double damage
• Defensive Tests = no damage and you get to make an attack
• Skill Tests = gain 1 Luck

Certain powers, like spells, might also have Exploding Dice. This is where you get to reroll a die if it maxes out, and add the new roll to the previous. So if I rolled a 6 on a d6 I could roll it again and add up the results. There is a cap that abilities will let you know. This means I can't continue to explode the dice infinitely if I was rolling well

Conditions

There are 8 conditions and 22 statuses in this game. That's a lot, but its because this is a highly tactical game, and each one matters and effects the flow of combat.

There is also a Morale system. Different things might cause your enemies to flee or surrender. If one of those conditions is met the enemy will roll 2d6 on their turn. If the result is higher than their morale score then they will either flee or surrender

Environment

This game is grid based combat, but they do define zones. Zones are more conceptual, giving players an idea of how their character, or a monster wants to act in combat.

Frontline creatures want to be doing melee and staying in combat. Midline creatures want to use melee attacks but get away from combat. Backline creatures want to stay away from combat and use ranged abilities.

Time or Scenes

This game utilizes progress clocks which I believe were first created in the game Forged in the Dark. These are great ways to denote the passage of time, or better yet, the progress towards something good or bad happening. They are ways of representing progress.

Anytime you have a failed skill test or you decide to take a short rest you are going to increase the progress clock. This really stresses the need to do well and push

This game utilizes progress clocks which I believe were first created in the game Forged in the Dark. These are great ways to denote the passage of time, or better yet, the progress towards something good or bad happening. They are ways of representing progress.

Anytime you have a failed skill test or you decide to take a short rest you are going to increase the progress clock. This really stresses the need to do well and push on

Rest Mechanic

There are two types of resting: Long rests, Short Rests. Taking a Long rest will full heal your character, recharge all abilities, and restore your Luck Points. Short Rests will allow you to roll hit dice to get some hit points back (as long as you aren't Fatigued).

Resource

Two main resources exist in this game. Your hit points and your mana. Your Hit points signify your ability to keep standing up and being conscious. Your mana is going to be the resource you use to cast spells.

Luck points are also technically a resource, but you don't need them to play the game necessarily. They are a fun way to break the rules and take agency over the story

Health & Dying

When you reach 0 hit points you are going to fall prone and be incapacitated. This is called Staggered. You are now going to have to make checks to not die.

At the beginning of your group turn you have to roll one of your hit dice that is not spent. If you roll a 1 on it you die! If you succeed you get to roll again next turn unless someone can heal you, but you also have spent that hit dice and could run out. If you run out you also die. This means that if you have used your hit dice to heal during a short rest you are more likely to die. This also means that classes with smaller hit dice are more likely to die.