Part 18

Learn Dark and Darker weapon damage calculation, Strength Bonus, Spell Prowess, Talent Prowess, and Weapon Bonuses.

Carrying Capacity:

Carrying Capacity in Stones is calculated as Strength x 5.

Hit Points (HP) and Damage:

Hit Points (HP) represent the damage a weapon can inflict with a successful, unparried attack. This damage is reduced by the opponent's Armor Rating, and the remaining value is deducted from their Vitality as Damage Points. The 'Strength Bonus' varies by weapon and further increases inflicted hit points. A value of 12/4 means hit points increase by 1 for every 4 points of Strength after Strength 12. Calculation: Weapon Damage + possible Strength Bonus.

Spell Prowess (SP):

Spell Prowess (SP) indicates a hero's proficiency with a spell. If a hero hasn't learned a spell, they have no SP for it. Spells can be learned from Trainers using Experience Points and Ducats. An SP of 0 means the hero has learned the spell and can increase SP with Experience Points. Maximum SP is limited: Spells: base value + Level + 3. No spell can exceed the highest involved attribute +3. The base value is shown in Expert Mode during character creation after resetting all Experience Points.

Strength Bonus Details:

Many melee weapons benefit from the Strength Bonus, representing increased damage from physical strength. A Khunchom sabre has a Strength Bonus of 12/3. The first value (12) is the required Strength (ST) to benefit. The second value (3) indicates the Strength increments at which additional damage increases by 1. Reaching the first value (12) does not grant a bonus. Example: A hero with ST 17 inflicts 1D+5 damage instead of 1D+4, as their Strength exceeds 12 + 3 = 15. At ST 18, they inflict 1D+6, reaching the second increment: 12 + (3 + 3) = 18.

Talent Prowess (TP):

Talent Prowess (TP) indicates a hero's proficiency with a talent. If a hero doesn't possess a talent, they have no TP for it. Talents can be obtained from Trainers using Experience Points and Ducats. A TP of 0 means the hero has learned the talent and can increase TP with Experience Points. Maximum TP is limited: Spells and Combat talents: base value + level + 3; Talents: Base value + 2 * level + 3. No talent or spell can exceed the highest involved attribute +3. For melee combat talents, attributes used are AG, ST. For ranged talents, attributes used are DE, AG, or ST. The base value is shown in Expert Mode during character creation after resetting all Experience Points.

Dice Rolls:

The TDE ruleset uses six-sided dice (D6 or D) for things like weapon damage and twenty-sided dice (D20) for tests. For example, if a sword causes D+5 damage, the game rolls a D6 and adds 5. 'W6+6' also means a D6 is used for damage. '2D6' means rolling two D6.

Weapon Bonus:

The Weapon Bonus modifies Attack and Parry values. The first value adds to the Attack value, the second adds to the Parry value. A Foil (Weapon Bonus 1/-1) grants a +1 to Attack but a -1 to Parry. A Wooden shield (Weapon Bonus -1/3) imposes a -1 to Attack but a +3 to Parry.

Talent/Spell Limits:

Weapon talents cannot be raised above AG +3 or ST +3 (whichever is highest). Other talents and spells cannot be raised above the highest involved attribute +3.

Archetypes:

Archetypes are categorized by race or specialization. Using Expert Mode during character creation allows reducing some stats to free up points.

a. Weapon Specialist:

Amazons:

• Attributes: Courage 14, Cleverness 10, Intuition 12, Charisma 13, Dexterity 10, Agility 13, Constitution 14, Strength 14
• Vitality 33, Astral Energy 0, Endurance 37, Resist Magic 5
• Bonuses/Penalties: Melee Bonus, Social Talents Penalty
• Skills: Sneak 0, Willpower 2, Perception 0, Treat Wounds 0, Human Nature -2, Fast Talk 1
• Combat Talents: Daggers 5 (3+2), Axes and Maces 4 (3+1), Sabers 9 (5+4), Spears 3 (1+2), Brawling 6 (3+3), Bow 4 (2+2), Throwing Weapon 2
• Talents: Feint, Armor Use I, Shield Fighting I
• Spells: None
• Recipes: None
• Equipment: Cutlass, Short Bow, 20 x Arrow, Amazonian Helmet, Amazon Armor, Steel Arm Greaves, Greaves, 5 x Simple bandages

Elven Fighter:

Primarily specialized in close combat, with the bow as a secondary role.