Parrying

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.