Combat rules
OK, after much consultation with my players, we’ve tenatively settled on some new combat rules. Some research leads me to believe that they’re roughly equivalent to the new True20 system; I’ll have to see it before I can comment.
To-Hit = BAB + DEX
Defense = 10 + (BAB + DEX + dodge bonuses) + shield bonus
Flat-footed = 10 + shield bonus
Damage = 10 + weapon + STR
Toughness Save = CON + armour bonus
Only one attack per round, and no attacks of opportunity (though you can expend a hero point for an extra attack).
So, attacker rolls to hit; if he connects, the defender saves against damage.
What does this mean for combat flow? It means one lucky hit can put you out of action. It means that in most cases, being wounded means getting the heck out of there instead of going toe-to-toe until you’re dead.
However, it also means that enemies are far more likely to surrender or pull back, it means that hero points will be of immense use during combat, and it encourages people to use caution and tactics. It also means that negotiation and politics become more prominent.
And it also means I get to redesign everything in my campaign setting *again*.