Alternative Jousting

[tetramorph]

I posted this over on ODD74 and got no bites. More the kind of things that folks over here might engage, although, sadly, this wonderful forum feels a little empty of late.

We finally had a chance to joust in our game and although getting a chance to use CM was awesome, it wound up being very unsatisfying. Jousting in CM assumes equal opponents and provides a meaningful way to resolve a classic way that knights fought in a mass-combat abstraction game.

I read the article where EGG tries to apply it to characters with levels, but it was so complicating my head spun. So I invented this. Let me know (kindly, even if critically) what you think:

Jousting

Each combatant agrees to joust. They choose one of three attacks and one of three defenses (see table, below). Choices are compared. Attack rolls are modified by opponent's defensive type. See the following table.

Joust attack vs. defense table

Attack	defensive	type
	Shield	Steady-seat	Helm
High	+1	0	-1
Mid	-1	+1	0
Low	0	-1	+1

Each player then rolls one die and consults the following formula:

1d6 + HD + MOD (if any) = Score

Note, if opponent's HD are equal, HD are factored out of the equation. Likewise, if modifiers are identical they may be factored out.

Each players' score is then compared to the other, a higher score wins the round; consult the following table for affect on losing party and points for winner, if tourney:

Joust score results table

Difference	Indicates	Injury	Points
Tie	Miss	-	-
1 - 2	Lance broken	ST*	1
3 - 4	Helm removed	ST -1*	3
5+	Unhorsed	1d6**	5

*If loser fails to save loser sustains injury (1d6**)
**If combat and not tourney, injured party takes damage in d6 equivalent to HD of winning opponent

Battle

When used for battle, note the following:

Miss indicates another charge on the next round
Broken lance indicates that loser must joust with sword (or other melee weapon) on next round; may not choose steady seat as defensive type
Helm removal indicates that loser must joust without head protection on next round; may not choose helm as defensive type
Unhorsing indicates that melee continues off mounts on next round, if loser survives unhorsing

Tourney

When used for tournament play, note the following:

Joust is over after: a.) three attempts; b.) someone is unhorsed
If tied after three (3) attempts, joust additional rounds until someone scores points to break tie
Broken lance forces loser to use another lance, if available
If no additional lance is available loser must joust with sword (or other melee weapon) on next round; may not choose steady seat as defensive type
Helm removal indicates that loser must check if helmet is fit for reuse on next round, the helmet saves for additional use
If helmet unfit for use, may not choose helm as defensive type
Unhorsing indicates joust has ended; no melee to continue unless part of the terms of the tourney
Injury in 1d6 alone for tournament jousting
Player with the highest score wins the joust

Unless a duel or a battle between champions, most tourneys will include several opponents competing for a prize. Single elimination may keep things moving along.

[waysoftheearth]

You may also be interested in DD's jousting rule, which is seamlessly integrated into with the regular combat rules and the Alternative Attack Matrix: ddo.immersiveink.com/#jousting

[tetramorph]

Very nice, waysoftheearth. I like the way you tie it to being mounted.

I also like the way you put the jousting matrix into randomization with dice.

I wanted to get a stream-lined RPS effect going.

So far, play-tests are swell.

Thanks!

[waysoftheearth]

I see the CM jousting matrix as ultimately a game of rock-paper-scissors (albeit with not quite equal odds on all options), so a throw of the dice can produce very similar outcomes for one off jousts. A rock-paper-scissors game can, hwoever, enable specific individuals to favor specific techniques; dice will not reproduce this effect.

On the otherhand, I really like that DD jousting fits directly into the broader combat mechanics, allowing for fighter level, arms/armor quality, and I also really like that a quality mount can enable even an inexperienced fighter to be competetive.

I went to some trouble to ensure the probability of various jousting outcomes was as close in DD to CM's as possible within the constraints.

[bestialwarlust]

Interesting I've never had a joust come up in game though.

[tetramorph]

It is coming up because we are in the wilderness where castle inhabitants demand them.

And it adds an interesting option for combat while mounted, mass combat scenarios, etc.

[Admin Pete]

I have never had jousting come up in a game, I will copy this and give it a try if it does come up.

Regarding the OP, yeah not much going on in August and early Sept. I know those were busy times for me. Looks to be picking back up now.