While often underrated, this skill is just as important as attacking. Sometimes the best offense can be a good defense. But at other times, a fighter can be his own worst enemy.
Table: Critical Rolls for Parrying | ||
D20 | Success Effect | Failure Effect |
20 | Enemy stumbles: Free attack against enemy at +2 to hit and +2 to damage. | Ordinary failure, but character looks bad doing it. |
19-17 | Enemy’s weapon must make a Save vs. Crushing Blow or it gains a permanent -1 to hit and -1 to damage. Magical weapons gain a +2 bonus to this save. Does not apply to missile attacks. | Unsteady footing: Your next initiative roll has a -4 penalty. |
16-13 | Enemy caught off balance: Free attack against enemy. | Enemy strikes you hard: Take additional 1d6 points of damage. |
12-9 | Skillful dodging: Gain an extra parry this round at +2. | Fumble! Make a successful Dexterity Check or drop your parrying device. Lost weapons or shields take 1 round to recover. |
8-5 | Strike your opponent with parrying device: Enemy takes 1d6 points of damage. Does not apply to missile attacks. | Dropped your guard: Enemy gets a free attack against you. |
4-2 | Fumble! Enemy must make a successful Dexterity Check or drop his weapon. Lost weapons take 1 round to recover. | Your parrying device must make a Save vs. Crushing Blow. Weapons that fail gain a permanent -1 to hit and -1 to damage. Shields that fail gain a permanent -1 penalty to AC. Magical items gain a +2 bonus to this save. |
1 | Ordinary success, but character looks good doing it. | Walked into it! Treat enemy’s attack as a Critical Success. |