Non-Lethal Combat in AD&D 2e

The following is a secondary primer to 2nd Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons combat designed to give an overview and basic functions of non-lethal combat.

AD&D 2e Basics and Combat Overview

One thing to remember going forward is that attacking an armed opponent while unarmed is excessively dangerous.  Doing so will allow the armed opponent to strike first with his weapon regardless of the initiative roll.  If that wasn't enough, in addition the defender will be granted a +4 to attack and damage rolls.

Note that this is not an 'attack of opportunity' as it is in later editions.  Rather, it simply allows the defender with a weapon to strike the unarmed attacker first, and with a hefty bonus.  It is not a 'free' attack.

Non-Lethal Combat

Punching, Wrestling and Overbearing are the three main ways of engaging in unarmed non-lethal combat. Weapons can also be used, as we will see.  Each of these methods has a different system of resolution.  

Punching

1. A normal attack roll is made vs. the defenders normal armor class.
2. The score on the attack roll, if it is successful, is compared to the Punching chart to determine the type of attack that landed.
3. The amount of damage is given, along with a percentage to 'knock-out'.
4. Damage is treated differently.  Record punching damage separately.
5. Barehanded punches cause 1 or 2 points of damage, with brass knuckles or metal gauntlets causing 1d3.
6. All punching damage is subject to Strength bonuses.
7. When a creature reaches 0 hp, they fall unconcious.  Only 25% of punching damage is permanent, actual damage.  The remaining 75% is temporary and heals 1 turn after the combat is finished.
8. It is best to have the lowest successful score you can get.  If you hit AC 6 on a 12, for example, you will have better results on the 'Punching' chart with more damage and higher K.O. chances with a 12.

Wrestling

Wrestling is handled very similar to Punching, with the following changes.

1. A normal attack roll is made vs. the defenders normal armor class.
2. The score on the attack roll, if it is successful, is compared to the Wrestling chart to determine the type of hold you manage to land on your opponent.
3. A hold is broken by a throw or gouge result on the Wrestling chart, the assistance of another person or the successful use of a weapon.
4. Armed combatants involved in Wrestling are limited to using Small size weapons after the first round due to arm bars and head locks.
5. Damage is treated differently.  Record wrestling damage separately.
6. All Wrestling moves inflict 1 point of damage plus Strength modifier.  Certain moves can be maintained from round to round until broken.
7. Holds maintained for consecutive rounds do one extra point of damage per round they are maintained.  For example, an arm lock maintained for 3 rounds would do a total of 6 damage (1 + 2 + 3) at base (plus Strength bonus each round).
8. When a creature reaches 0 hp, they fall unconcious.  Only 25% of wrestling damage is permanent, actual damage.  The remaining 75% is temporary and heals 1 turn after the combat is finished.
9. It is best to have the lowest successful score you can get.  If you hit AC 5 on a 7, for example, you will have better results on the 'Wrestling' chart with more damage and higher K.O. chances with a 7.

Overbearing

Overbearing is where you dogpile something.

1. A normal attack roll is made.
2. For each category of size difference, the attack roll is modified by +4 (if the attacker is larger) or -4 (if the defender is larger).
3. For every leg beyond the second the defender possesses, the attacker suffers -2 to their attack roll.
4. Multiple attackers make 1 attack roll, with a +1 for each attacker beyond the first.
5. If the roll is successful, the target is pulled down.  
6. The pin can be maintained from round to round with successful overbear attacks.  In this case, the "prone" modifiers to combat are ignored for the dogpile.

Using Weapons in Non-Lethal Attacks

For when you have no other option or only barely care about how it turns out.

1. Can only be attempted with weapons with which a non-lethal beatdown could be effected.  No warhammers, maces or arrows.
2. Damage is treated differently.  Record non-lethal weapon damage separately.
3. When a creature reaches 0 hp, they fall unconcious.  Only 50% of non-lethal weapon damage is permanent, actual damage.  The remaining 50% is temporary and heals 1 turn after the combat is finished.

Additional Notes on Unarmed Combat

1. A creature's natural weapons are always 'usable'.
2. It is possible to specialize in Punching or Wrestling.  Any character of any class can do so.
3. Single-Class Fighters can eventually specialize in both, but you may only start play with one specialization or the other.
4. A Weapon Proficiency slot can be spent by any player character to learn Martial Arts.
5. Martial Arts is functionally identical to punching but with higher damage and K.O. percentages.
6. Specializations in Unarmed techniques can be continued and improved upon.
7. It is possible to perform the following maneuvers (covered in the Overview):
• Called Shot
• Disarm
• Grab
• Hold Attack
• Parry
• Pin
• Pull / Trip
• Sap

Additional considerations may come into play due to whatever reasons.  For bookkeeping purposes, simply note the amount of damage done by these attacks and figure it out at the end of the combat - there's no reason to break each attack into the temporary / permanent categories.  Worry about it once the opponent is at 0 and then figure out if they are still alive.

Pining for Treasure

The following is from GameDoc's personal session log from our private social media group.  You can listen to him recount it himself here on the Arcane Alienist!

** The Mythic World of Urd Campaign **

While prepping for their adventure to the pine forest, Harald strikes up a conversation with the displaced foresters and learns that the goblins seem to have descended throug the forest from the north. Their numbers are unknown because they came in the night when the humans couldn’t see anything. Eager for any help, they provide Harald with directions to their camp.

Celestina also eavesdrops in on the conversations of the foresters over breakfast and learns they’ve appealed to the castellan for aid, but that they are competing with a group of dwarves who want help securing their mine.

While gathering flowers, Gormer is approached by one of his fellow villagers from Ünmann who explains that the rest of the group set up their own camp nearby because when they arrived, Urgash was not permitted into the Canopies due to being an orc. Gormer sends word for Urgash to meet them outside the Canopies and join the treasure hunt.

The party sets out at last, guided by Jessup, the odd fellow who first approached Dolly about helping find the treasure. Along the way he explains that there is an old tower in the pine forest where the treasure is supposed to lay. No one that’s gone after it has returned, and the lizardfolk of the surrounding fens refuse to go into the forest.

When they arrive, they discover most of the trees are covered in webs. Several skeletons have been webbed to rocks and trees. Roderick pokes at a skeleton with his sword and it falls apart, spilling forth a swarm of spiders. Another nearby skeleton animated and lunges at the party. Urgash shoots it with an arrow and it also fast apart and released a swarm of spiders. As the party is overrun by hundreds of spiders, most are bitten. Harald lights a torch and is able to disperse the swarms with fire.

The party approached the tower, carefully avoiding the other web encased skeletons they find along the way. As they near the tower, the clerics are hit with a feeling that something unholy is about. The tower is covered in webbing whose strands are far to thick for normal spiders. 

Khaine scales the side of the tower to reach the rooftop while the others cautiously enter through the door. The first floor is empty. Ascending the stairs, they discover a pair of giant spiders with glowing eyes and profane symbols on their heads. 

On the roof Khaine discovers the site of an unholy ritual with Chaos runes written in blood. He destroys the runes. Menawhile, inside the tower, Celestina managed to put the spiders to sleep with a spell and the others quickly kill them as the evil symbols fade from their heads. 

The party locates a cache of coins, jems, and jewelry in the tower and Urgash is able to harvest the venom glands from one of the spiders. 

The party heads back to the castle to cash in their loot and buy additional gear. Urgash is admitted to the castle after the others vouch for him.  Celestine notes that one of the corner turrets has the markings of a wizard’s tower. A guard confirms for her that it is the home of Ovilair, a reclusive wizard who often advised the castellan. She knocks on the door but no answer is given.

At the inn, Dolly meets a pair of fellow dwarves who further explanation their predicament. They are of the Irongrit clan. A week or so hence, their sulfur mine was attacked by bugbears and the dwarves were driven out. Their thane, Hanksite Irogrit bravely covered the escape of his clan and is presumed to have been killed. They are getting nowhere with the castellan in terms of help and offer a reward if the part can reclaim their mine for them.

The party decides to first investigate the foresters’ camp and try to learn more about the goblins in the woods, and then move on to the dwarven mine. Given that goblins and bugbears are related, there is likely a connection.

Traveller: To the Moon! [Parts 1 & 2]

The following is from GameDoc's session notes in our private social media group.

** Welcome, Traveller... Campaign Page **

After reviving Khaine from his state of suspended animation, the crew travels to the topmost level of the complex, encountering another handful of troxbolg guards. There, they also find more human prisoners. This group appears weary and seems to have endured more physical abuse than the others. 

Among them are Sir Aaran Berani and his daughter Emma, scientist in the employ of Baroness Edda who were taken form the alien ruins on Tinath. Sir Aaran explains that all the prisoners are abductees. The troxbolgs prevent them from escaping and put them to work assembling machine parts. But otherwise ignore them if they are docile abs compliant.

"Too bad we can't fly that one...and ours is outside in the vacuum."

There is a gang of thugs among the prisoners that have become collaborators in exchange for better treatment. The prisoners on this level are those that are unruly, uncooperative, and that manage to resist the drugs that are added to their food to make them compliant.

"I guess we should like...round them up?"

The level below houses the compliant prisoners and below that, the workshops. The hangar level (ground level) is storage. Below that are the quarters of the troxbolgs and their human collaborators. The lowest level is off limits to humans. 

It turns out that Dr. Mondocane needs to take 3 Tee-Up actions in order to offset his melee penalty.

The crew proceeds methodically to each subsequent level, killing the troxbolgs and freeing the remaining prisoners. Khaine is able to use a psionic suggestion to cause the ringleader of the collaborators to have his gang switch side and help fight the alien cyborgs. 

"This is why God invented grenades."

One level remains - the lowest level and command center for the facility. The crew is warned that there are no humans there, and that the troxbolgs that guard it are armed with guns. Rumors are there is another variant of cyber-organic beings there as well.

"We're in a tight spot!"