In the world of tabletop RPGs, combat often comes down to a single roll of a d20—hit or miss, success or failure. But battles aren’t that simple. A reckless swing might barely connect, while a masterfully placed strike can end a fight in an instant.

PsychScape: Historical throws out the d20-based hit/miss system in favor of something far more visceral:
✅ A combat system where accuracy directly affects damage.
✅ Weapons that are more than just stats—they reflect craftsmanship and reliability.
✅ A high-risk, high-reward structure where every strike matters.

With the Die-Cast System and the Edge & Forge System, combat in PsychScape is brutal, skill-based, and deeply strategic—a far cry from the random swing-and-hope-for-a-crit mechanics of traditional RPGs.

The Die-Cast System: Precision Matters

Most RPG combat boils down to "Did I hit?" but in PsychScape, it’s also "How well did I hit?"

Instead of rolling to simply hit or miss, the Die-Cast System scales damage based on the accuracy of your attack. A well-placed strike is far deadlier than a clumsy swing.

Impact Tiers: How Accuracy Affects Damage

When an attack lands, compare the attack roll to the character’s To-Hit Score (THS) to determine the strength of the hit.

• Glancing Blow (Weakest possible hit) → If the attack roll is exactly at THS, roll D4 for damage.
• Solid Strike (Standard hit, effective but not optimal) → If the roll is within 80-99% of THS, roll D6 for damage.
• Focused Impact (Well-placed attack, stronger than average) → If the roll is within 60-79% of THS, roll D8 for damage.
• Devastating Hit (Heavy blow, potentially fight-altering) → If the roll is within 30-59% of THS, roll D10 for damage.
• Crushing Blow (Near-perfect strike, maximum damage potential) → If the roll is below 30% of THS, roll D12 for damage.

Why This Works

• Trained fighters deal consistent damage, rewarding investment in combat skills.
• Unskilled characters still have a chance to land devastating hits, creating exciting moments of luck.
• Combat feels more dynamic and strategic—players think about precision, not just power.

Example in Combat

A warrior has a To-Hit Score (THS) of 42% with their longsword.

• Rolls 42 → Glancing Blow (D4 damage).
• Rolls 38 → Solid Strike (D6 damage).
• Rolls 30 → Focused Impact (D8 damage).
• Rolls 20 → Devastating Hit (D10 damage).
• Rolls 10 → Crushing Blow (D12 damage).

This makes every attack a risk-reward decision, ensuring that combat feels fast, deadly, and deeply tied to skill.

The Edge & Forge System: Why Weapon Craftsmanship Matters

Not all weapons are created equal. A legendary blade shouldn’t hit with the same unpredictability as a rusted sword. The Edge & Forge System ensures that better-crafted weapons don’t just deal higher damage—they deal more reliable damage.

Weapon Craftsmanship (CR) & Minimum Damage Rules

Weapons in PsychScape have a Craftsmanship Rating (CR) from +1 to +5. Higher CR weapons guarantee a minimum damage roll, meaning you’ll never roll pathetically low on a great weapon.

• Basic (+1) → If the roll is 1, increase it to 2.
• Well-Made (+2) → If the roll is 1 or 2, increase it to 3.
• Mastercrafted (+3) → If the roll is 1, 2, or 3, increase it to 4.
• Elite (+4) → If the roll is 1, 2, 3, or 4, increase it to 5.
• Legendary (+5) → If the roll is 1-5, increase it to 6.

Why This Works

• Weapons feel meaningful—a well-crafted blade is an investment, not just a stat boost.
• High-quality weapons are more reliable, preventing frustratingly low rolls at critical moments.
• Players are rewarded for seeking out legendary weapons beyond just "higher base damage."

Crafting & Economy: The Cost of Quality

Better weapons require skilled blacksmiths, rare materials, and expert craftsmanship—and that comes at a cost.

• Basic (+1) → Standard cost.
• Well-Made (+2) → 2× base cost.
• Mastercrafted (+3) → 5× base cost.
• Elite (+4) → 10× base cost.
• Legendary (+5) → 25× base cost (or priceless).

🔹 Legendary weapons (+5) must be won, stolen, or forged with rare materials—they can’t be bought.
🔹 Upgrading a weapon at a blacksmith costs half the difference between tiers. (Example: Upgrading a +2 weapon to +3 costs 3× base cost.)
🔹 Weapon prices fluctuate based on the world economy. (A +3 sword in a warzone costs far more than a +3 dagger in a peaceful city.)

Critical Hits & Fumbles: The Thrill of High-Stakes Combat

Critical Hits (01-05 on a To-Hit Roll)

• Roll D12 for damage and double the result (or deal a fixed 24 damage, if using the simplified rule).
• Roll a D8 for hit location and check the Critical Hit Chart for brutal injuries:
  • Severed limbs.
  • Internal bleeding.
  • Blinding wounds.
  • Instant death (if hitting the head or heart).
• Armor Piercing: Ignores half of the target’s armor.
• Debilitating Wounds: May cause permanent injuries (e.g., crushed limbs, loss of an eye).

Critical Fumbles (96-100 on a To-Hit Roll)

• Weapon Breaking.
• Self-Inflicted Injury.
• Dropping a Weapon.

(Want a full Fumble Chart? We can design one with chaotic, battle-changing failures!)

Why This Makes PsychScape’s Combat Stand Out

With the Die-Cast System and Edge & Forge System, combat in PsychScape is precise, tactical, and deeply rewarding.

✅ Accuracy directly affects damage.
✅ Weapon quality makes attacks more reliable.
✅ Critical hits and fumbles add high-stakes drama.

No more random d20 rolls dictating fate—every swing is a calculated choice. Every weapon is a symbol of craftsmanship. And every battle is a test of skill, not just luck.

🔪 Sharpen your blade. Steady your aim. Every strike counts. ⚔️

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