Optional Rules: Fighting Offensively or Defensively?

 

Fighter using shield for Vigorous Defense

Melee combat in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) often feels mundane—a repetitive exchange of blows unless special abilities or spells come into play. But what if we could inject more depth and strategy into these encounters? In this article, we’ll explore voluntary maneuver modifiers that players can employ to elevate their melee attacks.

Voluntary Maneuver Modifiers

At the start of a combat round, players can declare specific maneuver modifiers for their attacks. These modifiers apply to all actions taken by the character throughout that round. However, they cannot be used for special abilities or attacks like Sneak Attack. Let’s delve into offense and defense:

Offense:

To-Hit Rolls: Adjust your chances of hitting the targets in front of you.

Damage Rolls: Enhance the impact of your strikes.

Defense:

Armor Class (AC): Determine how difficult it is for opponents, you directly face, to land hits on you.

Offensive / Defensive Modifiers

±0 Normal  / ±0 Normal - Normal Melee

+1 Offense / -1 Defense - Risky Attack

+2 Offense / -2 Defense - Reckless Attack

-1 Offense / +1 Defense - Cautious Defense

-2 Offense / +2 Defense - Vigorous Defense

Remember, these voluntary maneuvers add tactical flavor to combat, allowing players to tailor their approach based on the situation. So, let’s break free from the mundane and make every swing count!

Example: Toral the Rat-Catcher, finds his escape route blocked by three guardsmen. He knows that if they dogpile him, he's done for. In desperation to rushes forwards with an all-out Reckless Attack, hoping to bring down the guard on his right, so that he can escape, with only one guard having a possible attack on him.. Assuming he incapacitates the guard he's rushing. (In this case Toral gets Advantage on his attack because of surprise.)