2019-01-05 Episode 11

{.right} Halberds and Helmets Podcast Basic terms, hopefully in the right order for a newbie to read: I want to make sure they understand the difference between *player* and *player character* because that can help defuse difficult situations at the table; *experience points*, *level*, *hit points*, *saving throw*, the usual stuff, nothing new; *circle* is what I’m trying to use instead of spell level! We use the word “level” for dungeon level, character level, and spell level. This is my attempt to talk about “spells from the first circle” instead of “first level spells.” Do you think this is going to work? I have my doubts but I’m not yet ready to give up. And finally, the two most important terms: *reaction roll* and *morale check*. Important stuff if you don’t want your game to be about combat all the time.

Halberds and Helmets Podcast

I didn’t talk too much about it. There’s still time to talk about it when we talk about combat rules. But combat is just one of the ways to enforce consequences. For me, it is *not the core experience* at the table.

11-halberds-and-helmets.mp3

Links:

2010-01-25 One Page Notes: “I looked at old school dungeons, and started to like what I saw: a lot less text! At first I thought these dungeons were boring hack-n-slay expeditions, but I started to realize that this doesn’t have to be true. The most important points were the *monster reaction table* where you roll 2d6 and add a Charisma modifier, and *morale checks* where you roll 2d6 at appropriate times to see whether the enemies retreat or flee. That changes many combat situation into social situations!” I’m starting to realize the importance of reaction rolls and morale checks.
2011-08-10 Darkness Beneath: “A few sessions ago, however, the party decided to investigate some more and found an entrance to the warrens. There, they started talking and got a superb *reaction roll*. In the end, one of the characters did some cave paintings for the troglodytes. Then they heard about the king’s treasure and wanted to see him. They started realizing how big the dungeon was with pits, unsafe areas, guards, patrols, lizards, toad knights, and more. They spoke with the king and promised to take care of the crab-men.” I love these surprises!
2014-08-21 No Dice: adding more entries to the reaction table, and realizing that in the end, the reaction roll is the one thing you will keep rolling up into high level play
Riffing on 2d6: Reaction Rolls by Peter Fröhlich compares the 2d6 roll to other ways of doing it
Why B/X Is My Favorite #10: The Reaction Roll subsytem and Why B/X Is My Favorite #16: The BEST morale system EVER!, both by P Armstrong, with with the best blog post series on B/X!
2012-03-20 Not Smart Enough: reaction role and morale checks help me be an impartial referee
2016-12-22 Mass Combat, Again: morale is important for mass combat, too
2017-04-27 Rulings: we talk about many things, including appropriate moments to check morale
Halberds and Helmets: my homebrew rule set with links to the PDF files

2010-01-25 One Page Notes

2011-08-10 Darkness Beneath

2014-08-21 No Dice

Riffing on 2d6: Reaction Rolls

Why B/X Is My Favorite #10: The Reaction Roll subsytem

Why B/X Is My Favorite #16: The BEST morale system EVER!

with the best blog post series on B/X

2012-03-20 Not Smart Enough

2016-12-22 Mass Combat, Again

2017-04-27 Rulings

Halberds and Helmets

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#Halberds and Helmets Podcast