One of my quirks as a Fudge GM is that I enjoy shifting from one rules option to another depending on circumstances and general mood. For example, I see no reason not to use story elements, simultaneous combat rounds, and alternating combat turns at different points during the same session as long as it feels right. There is, indeed, a method to my madness, and it occurred to me that it could be codified quite easily. Here, then, is my very simple solution for incorporating the major combat subsystems into a single system. I'll tentatively call it the combat option selection system.
The rules from which I am drawing are in Section 4.2, Melee Combat of the Fudge 1995 Edition.
When combat seems imminent, the first step in the combat option selection system is to roll for the initiative. Different methods for determining initiative are described in Section 4.23, Alternating Combat Turns, but in this iteration initiative is determined before the combat option is selected.
If the initiative roll is a tie between the two opposing parties (whether they are individuals or groups), then the fight will be resolved using simultaneous combat rounds (see Section 4.22).
If the initiative roll results in a winner and loser, then the fight will be resolved using alternating combat turns, with the winner making the first attack (see Section 4.23).
Regardless of the result of the initiative roll, if both parties are agreeable, the fight may be resolved using story elements instead (see Section 4.21).
Optionally, the winner of the initiative roll may state whether alternating combat turns or story elements will be used for the fight.
Not only is this system completely intuitive (ties are fought simultaneously; non-ties favor the quick and the bold), but it gives everyone the chance to the use the combat rules they like best.
[Originally posted in Fudgery.net/fudgerylog on 4 March 2011.]
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