I developed an alternative system that works well with figurines (it was ment to be part of a skirmish tabletop game that I may finish some day), but not so well without them.
I separate SR (meaning in this case Strike Range), which is based on Siz and Weapon, from Initiative, which is based on Dex.
Strike Range
The basis for determining SR is the creatures Siz. In my system the
different creatures are agregated on Siz categories (it is not the same
categories that may be extrapolated from RQ's Siz SR); when gaming with
miniatures those categories relate to quadrangular bases (for humanoids) of
different sizes.
Next comes weapon. Weapons are agregated acording to close combat range:
short (SR), medium (MR), long (LR), extra long (XR) (once more, this may be
related to RQ's Melee SR). When gaming with miniatures, short weapons are
to be used when the bases of the miniatures are contacting; medium weapons
at a distance equal to the size of the base of the attacking creature; long
weapons at two bases; extra long at three or more bases.
This defines the ideal range to use a weapon. Some weapons cannot be used
at a SR that's different (shorter or longer) from the ideal SR. Other
weapons can be used at different SRs with penalties. A small number may be
used at different SRs without penalties. Some examples:
- - The normal SR for a Pike is XR. It can be used at LR with a penalty and
cannot be used at SR or MR.
- - A medium sword is to be used at MR. It can be used at SR without
penalties, and can be used at LR with penalties. It cannot be used at XR.
Notice that SR is relative to the creatures Siz. What I consider 'medium'
for a duck is not the same as 'medium' for a dark troll. (That's why it is
easier to use this system with miniatures.)
What aboutpenalties? Penalties are applied to skill (say, a 10% penalty for
using a medium sword at LR); and to Iniciative (the pike used at LR has a
penalty of -1 to initiative).
Initiative
Initiative is based on Dex. I tried several possibilities here:
1. Fixed Initiative: Ini is equal to RQ's Dex SR. The creature with the
higest value attacks first.
2. Dex SR + die: Initiative is equal to RQ's Dex Sr + 1d4.
3. Die based Initiative: Roll 1d4 for a Dex Sr of 1; 1d6 for a dex SR of 2;
and so on.
In fact, I use a mix of those alternatives: Sometimes I use 1. when dealing
with NPC vs. NPC situations; 2. when dealing with PC to NPC interaction;
and 3. when combat is between two PCs.
Dex may be modified by Range (see above) or by other factors. If the result
of the roll + modifiers is negative, the atack hits the air.
Best,
Sergio Mascarenhas
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