Example of Combat

It is determined that Party B is surprised for 2 segments and that both front ranks of either party are within melee range of each other when the encounter begins.

Because Balto has a Dexterity reaction modifier of +1, he will only be surprised for 1 segment (unknown to those in Party A).

• The Dungeon Master rolls surprise for both groups. The DM determines that neither group notices each other's light due to extraneous factors and so surprise is 30% or 1-3 on a d10 for both (none of the characters involved have special surprise chances). Party A rolls a 4 on a d10 and Party B (unfortunately for them) rolls a 1 on a d10. This means that Party B is surprised for 2 segments in the first round of combat, a major disadvantage.
• Furthermore, since one of the parties was surprised, the Encounter Setup distance (indoors) is only 1" to 3", rolled using a 1d3. The DM makes the roll and the result is a "1" which means the front ranks begin combat within melee range of the opponents.

Party A can Declare Intentions for both surprise segments before the round begins. The group recognizes Party B as a group of "evil marauders" and chooses to attack immediately.

1. Aggro decides to attack the nearest opponent, which happens to be Balto. He selects to spend his 2 surprise segments attacking Balto. Aggro rolls an Initiative 4.
2. Because Arlanni had readied her sling, the DM allows her a bonus attack in the first segment. She decides to spend her 2 surprise segments attacking Blastum (whom she correctly assumes is an evil spell caster). Arlanni rolls an Initiative 1 (0).
3. Abner knows to select a quick spell to use in the surprise segments and chooses to cast magic missile at the armored dwarf, Gutboy. He does this for each surprise segment hoping to drop the dwarf before combat begins. Abner rolls an Initiative 3.
4. Arkayn also targets the dwarf with a quick spell of command before wading in with a mace due to close quarters. Arkayn rolls an Initiative 5.

• Because Party B is surprised for 2 segments, this gives Party A a huge advantage using each segment as a full round to attack (with some limitations, see Combat, Surprise). Thus, their attacks occur without the usual delay due to weapon speed factor although other types of attacks (such as spells) conform to standard time requirements.
• Once the 2 surprise segments are complete, both groups will be able to Declare Intentions for the remaining 8 segments of the first round.
• Because Balto is only surprised for 1 segment, he will be able to declare actions after segment 1 (disrupting Aggro's attempt at another surprise segment attack).
• Arlanni rolls a 2 for Initiative which is modified to a 1 by her Dexterity (The lower initiative in the segment goes first). While her actual modifier is -2, the lowest initiative is 1 in any particular segment although the lowest overall result (which can be less than 1) will go first.
• Abner can cast a spell without material components with one hand (he is holding the torch with his other hand).

Segment 1, Init 1: Arlanni throws two sling bullets at Blastum but both miss.

Segment 1, Init 3: Abner casts magic missile at Gutboy doing 6 points of damage.

Segment 1, Init 4: Aggro hits Balto for 2 hit points of damage with his +1 hand axe.

Segment 1, Init 5: Arkayn casts command at Gutboy demanding that he "surrender". Gutboy makes his save and ignores the command with a laugh.

• Arlanni rolls a "3" on a d20 and a "4" on a d20 to-hit. She only needs a "5" on a d20 to hit Blastum due to a THAC0 of 18 vs. AC 10 and a +3 Weapon vs. AC Rating of 10 but these poor rolls miss him with both attacks.
• Abner wisely chooses a 1 segment magic missile spell and automatically hits with 2 missiles doing 1d4+1 damage each. The spell has sufficient range to be used without movement.
• Aggro rolls a 14 on the d20 to hit Balto, easily hitting his AC 10 (Aggro needs only a 5 on a d20 to hit with his magic hand axe and a +1 Weapon vs. AC Rating of 10).
• Arkayn casts a 1 segment command spell as he is within range of the dwarf. In most circumstances, creatures encountered do not receive a saving throw, but Gutboy is 6th level and rolls a 17 on his save (saving easily with his dwarf bonuses).

Segment 2, Init 1: Arlanni throws a sling bullet at Blastum but misses again.

Segment 2, Init 3: Abner casts another magic missile spell at Gutboy doing an additional 7 points of damage.

Segment 2, Init 4: Aggro chooses to attack Balto again with his hand axe. However, because Balto is no longer surprised, the standard time is assessed and the DM informs Aggro's player that the attack will occur on segment 5 of the round.

Segment 2, Init 5: Arkayn draws his mace so that he may attack Gutboy later in the round.

• Arlanni (who is having an very bad day) rolls a natural 1 to hit Blastum with her third sling bullet and misses.
• Abner, taking advantage of the surprise segments, gets off another magic missile spell on the dwarf.
• Aggro is surprised at Balto's reaction and loses a surprise segment attack action due to his Dexterity reaction modifier.
• Arkayn decides the wise move is to attack the dwarf after he's been wounded by Abner's spells.

Segment 3. Abner moves away. Init 6: Blastum casts shocking grasp.

Segment 4. Abner moves away. Init 6: Blastum enters melee with Aggro, Arkayn, and Arlanni.

Segment 5. Abner drops his torch and retrieves his scroll. Init 3: Balto attacks Aggro with his staff but misses. Because Balto rolled the lower initiative, he attacked before Aggro. Init 4: Aggro attacks Balto with his hand axe, hitting and killing him.

Segment 6. Abner retrieves his scroll. Init 4: Gutboy hits Arkayn with his war hammer for 5 points of damage.

Segment 7. Abner retrieves his scroll. Init 1: Arlanni misses Blastum again with her sling. Init 2: Barjin hits Arkayn with his long sword for 6 points of damage. Arkayn is starting to have second thoughts about this whole affair.

Segment 8. Abner retrieves his scroll.

Segment 9. Abner retrieves his scroll. Init 5: Arkayn misses Gutboy with his footman's mace.

Segment 10. Abner retrieves his scroll.

• Blastum casts a touch spell and then enters melee with the spell "on the hand" so he can attack with it next round.
• Abner dropping the torch is a minor action that takes no time and the DM rules that the hallway is dry enough that the torch will stay lit for 3 rounds guttering on the floor.
• Balto rolls a 19 to hit Aggro! Unfortunately he needed a modified 20 to hit Aggro's AC 1 which is effectively -6 due to the staff's Weapon Type vs. AC modifier of -7. Because Balto gains no bonus to hit, he missed with a roll of 19.
• Aggro rolls a 12 on the d20 to hit Balto and hits doing 5 points of damage killing Balto who only had 2 hp left. Actually, Balto is only unconscious but it is unlikely the PCs will go through the effort of trying to save him before he bleeds to death in 7 rounds.
• Gutboy rolls a 12 on the d20 hitting Arkayn. He needed an 8 to-hit Arkayn's AC of 5 given his THAC0 with the magic axe of 14 and a Weapon vs. AC Rating of +1.
• Arlanni continues her Very Bad Day by missing Blastum yet again with a to hit roll of 2.
• Barjin hits Arkayn with a 13 on the d20. He needed an 11 to hit Arkayn's AC with his long sword. Arkayn has 10 hit points left.
• Arkayn rolls a 7 to hit Gutboy with his mace and misses. He needed to roll a 16 with his THAC0 and a +1 Weapon vs. AC Rating.

Segment 1, Init 3: Blastum touches Arlanni and discharges his shocking grasp spell, dropping the thief.

Segment 2, Init 3: Abner casts the web spell from his scroll, filling the hallway. Only Aggro makes his saving throw avoiding the webs. Barjin's spell is ruined. Gutboy, Barjin, Blastum, and Arkayn are all caught in the webs. The light from the lantern is blocked and the hallway is darkened as only the guttering torch on the floor is providing light.

• Blastum rolls a 19 on the d20 and touches the thief's AC of 5, discharging the spell doing 12 points of damage (maximum) to the thief who falls unconscious.
• Aggro rolls an 18 on his Dexterity save vs. Spell (a successful save) and the DM rules he has jumped free of the webs. The rest fail their saving throws and are trapped.
• Given the enemy are held fast in the webs of the spell (as are poor Arlanni and Arkayn), they are subject to whatever tender mercies are to be visited upon them by Aggro and Abner. The PCs may choose to free their comrades before dealing with the remaining marauders.