Designed for compatibility with fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons Combat Trials provides a deck of 100 unique challenges for exciting critical misses. Combat Trials present players with dramatic outcomes and tough choices to provide tense and fun consequences for critical fails without many of the drawbacks of traditional fumble charts.
This addon includes an alternative copy of the card deck produced with an accessible font.
The vast majority of trials are independent of attack or weapon type and the simple rules avoid penalizing players for making multiple attacks. As characters advance in levels the trials become easier to overcome.
Most trials allow players opportunities to avoid or limit consequences, often inviting players to choose their own course of action. Environmental complications and situational challenges encourage players to adapt their tactics to changing circumstances; sometimes adding new features and hazards to the battlefield.
All trials include descriptive text to explain why characters might have missed or the consequences of missing. These narrative prompts help Game Masters and players to describe events in ways that support role playing without ridiculing characters.
Veteran Points are earned for every trial and can be traded for boons in combat. They don’t provide a free pass, but players will be glad to have some in difficult battles.
Using cards allows easy reference for players and reduces the burden on Game Masters trying to keep track of effects in play. Simple icons help GMs quickly assess the impacts of trials and optional flavor text supports narration without slowing down play.
Combat Trials can be used with both player characters and non-player characters. A streamlined alternative for non-player characters is provided as a macro for Game Masters running large combats.
License: Roll20 End User License Agreement
(Personal Use Only, Do Not Distribute)
