Kharille wrote:
Would it be simpler to increase EVASION for being in cover? That DRAGONBREATH spell sure won't work so well if you're peering around a wall.
For some reason, I've not put these onto the Cobwebbed Forest yet, but here's how I handle cover in my games:
CoverThere will be times when the character is partially obscured by a low wall or just peering around a corner when required to make an Evasion test. In these circumstances, if the character is able to (and prepared to) hide his whole body behind the object that is already partially obscuring him and the object is capable of withstanding the full force of the attack, he gains a bonus to his Evasion test of between +1 and +4, at the GM’s discretion, depending on how much of the character’s body is currently exposed. As a general rule, for each 20% of the character’s body in cover at the time of needing to make an Evasion test, the character gains a +1 bonus.
ExampleAn archer shooting from behind an embrasure in a castle might have almost total cover and be at +4 to any Evasion tests, but an archer on the battlements may be slightly more exposed, gaining only a +2 or +3 to Evasion.
Similarly, an explorer poking one eye round a corner may have a +4 to his Evasion score in the event that he has to whip is head out of the way of a gout of flame that spears towards him, but a sorcerer looking to launch a spell down a corridor will probably need to be more exposed, gaining only a +1 or +2 to Evasion.
Shields as coverUsing a shield as cover from an incoming attack increases a character’s evasion by +1. Shield cover bonuses are not cumulative with other cover bonuses. Note that if the incoming attack exceeds the shield’s damage threshold it will be damaged, just as it would be in melee combat. At the GM’s discretion, powerful damaging effects (such as powerful spells, for example) may entirely destroy the shield.
[And if you're wondering what a shield's damage threshold is, it's basically the most damage a shield can absorb in a single attack and not be damaged.]
Thoughts or comments welcome.