Optional Rule: Mass Combat

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Optional Rule: Mass Combat

Mass Combat

Massive battles between armies is a reality of Rokugan, and the GM may use the following rules to reflect such large-scale engagements.

Phases

Mass combat is split into phases. A phase during mass combat is a sequence of time determined by the GM that breaks up the battle into different sections. This can be based on an arbitrary period of time (minutes or hours) or it can be based on events on the battlefield (such as one side trying for a certain objective and succeeding or failing).

Resolving Mass Combat

Mass combat is resolved with a mass combat check. The mass combat check is rolled and resolved like a typical skill check; however, the dice pool is not assembled based on the characteristics of the characters involved. It is instead based on the sides of the combat instead.

The active force determines the number of ability dice (d) in the pool. The number of dice is determined by the strength of the active force, representing both the numbers of their force and their quality, i.e. both an overwhelming force of troops and a smaller number of elite troops can represent the same amount of ability dice in the pool. Typically, the active force represents the player characters’ side of the battle, even if they are on the defensive.

In the same way, the number of difficulty dice (d) added to the pool is based on the strength of the enemy force. Difficulty dice are added based on the same criteria as ability dice. Typically, the enemy force always represents the side of the battle opposing the player characters’ side, even if they are on the offensive.

Once the base pool is determined, upgrade the ability of the check a number of times equal to the active force’s commander’s ranks in Leadership. Likewise, upgrade the difficulty of the check a number of times equal to the enemy force’s commander’s ranks in Leadership.

If a commander of one side is removed from the mass battle in some way (such as by being killed, incapacitated, or having their lines of communication disrupted), the ability or difficulty is not upgraded. A new commander may step in and add their Leadership if the circumstances warrant it.

The GM can further modify the pool by adding boost dice (b) and setback dice (b). These dice may be added based on a variety of reasons, including the weather conditions, the state of the battlefield, whether or not one side is built into a defensive position, how much intelligence one side has on the other, how many supplies each side has, and so forth.

Once the dice pool is assembled and modified, the GM makes the check for that phase. If the check is successful, the active force either achieves an objective, makes significant advancement, or successful holds off the enemy; if the check fails, the enemy force achieves an objective, makes significant advancement, or holds off the active force. The GM and players can then determine what exactly happens depending on the results of the check.

Spending Dice Results in Mass Combat
Roll Result
a or t All characters with the active force recover 1 strain.
The PCs notice a ey feature of the enemy force and its position on the battlefield.
aa or t An attacy by the acting force reveals a weakness in the enemy force's defenses; add b to the next mass combat check as the acting force exploits the weakness.
aaa or t A previously unnoticed geographical feature of the battlefield (a stand of trees, a valley, a rock formation, etc.) affords the acting force some cover. The acting force may downgrade the difficulty of the next mass combat check once as it utilizes this vital feature.
The leader of the acting force makes a rousing speech to inspire the troops or enacts a cunning plan. The acting force may upgrade the ability of the next mass combat check once.
t Overwhelmed by the ferocity of thee acting force's attack, an enemy unit is close to abandoning its post. On the next mass combat check, any span t generated causes the enemy force to abandon its post and run.
MASS COMBAT

GENESYS

Spending Dice Results in Mass Combat (cont.)
Roll Result
t (cont.) A notable NPC within the acting force performs a particular feat of heroism. This provides the acting force with a tangible benefit and makes a name of the NPC.
Reinforcements arrive to support the acting force. These increase the force strength of the acting force by one in future phases.
tt Sizable reinforcements arrive to support the acting force. These increase the force strength of the acing force by two in future phases.
A dramatic narrative moment gives the PCs the chance to singlehandedly change the entire course of the battle. The options are endless and entirely dependent on the circumstances of the narrative.
h or d The characters involved with the acting force suffer 1 strain.
The fog of war creates confusion on the battlefield. Add b to the next mass combat check as the acting force struggles to differentiate allies from enemies.
hh or d The enemy disrupts the acting force's line of battle. Members of thee acting force suffer b on their next skill check.
One of the PCs involved with the acting force (chosen at random, or as determined by the GM to fit the narrative) suffers an unfortunate accident on the field of battle and suffers 4 wounds.
hhh or d The acting force gets bogged down in difficult terrain. As a result, it upgrades the difficulty of its next mass combat check once.
The enemy forrce gains a significant advantageg in the battle dueu to a blow to the command of the acting force (the commander is wounded, etc.). Downgrade the ability of the next mass combat check once.
d One of the PCs involved with the acting force is grievously hurt in the fighting and suffers one critical injury.
A notable NPC within the acting force suffers a grievous critical injury. This deprives the acting force of a tangible asset and seriously endangers someone important to the PCs.
Communications are disrupted, and orders are garbled. The commander of the acting force cannot clearly communicate orders to the troops. Unless another respected leader who can communicate to the acting force steps in to take the commander's place, the acting force does not upgrade the ability of the check due to its commander's ranks in Leadership for the next mass combat check.
Reinforcements arrive to support the enemy force, increasing its force strength by one step in future phases.
dd Either succumbing to panic or enemy infiltration, a portion of the acting force turns traitor and joins the enemy force. Decrease the force strength of the the acting force by one and increase the force of the enemy force by one step in future phases.
Siizable reinforcements arrive to support the enemy force, increasing its force strength by two in future phases.
 
Force Strength
Dice Force Strength
Trivial (d and d) Two or three squadrons (guntai).
Significant (dd and
dd)
Two or three companies (kaisha).
Imposing (ddd and ddd) A legion (daibutai).
Staggering (dddd and
dddd)
Two or three legions working in concert.
Vast (ddddd and
ddddd)
An army (go-hatamoto).
Overwhelming (dddddd
and dddddd)
Several armies working in concert.

Keep in mind that these numbers are rough examples. The GM may determine that two companies of green soldiers are of equal force strength to a single company of seasoned, experienced warriors. Or about 1000 peasants armed only with farming implements are of equal strength to half as many trained and properly armed bushi.

MASS COMBAT

GENESYS

 

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