Challenger RPG Forums

Knowledge (tactics):

A Knowledge (tactics) skill check might be used to determine whether a PC found a “choke point” or was able to maneuver in a way that would prevent some enemies from attacking him, thus reducing or negating free attacks when severely outnumbered.

For example, instead of drawing a complicated map, the GM might simply say that PC's battling a large stack of goblins must succeed in a RR10 Knowledge (tactics) check, or suffer one free attack.

PC's succeding in the Tactics skill check are supposed to move intelligently in combat, staying away from other attackers while engaging an opponent or maneuvering in such a way that an obstacle (such as a table, tree, column, or even the opponent they are currently engaging) lies between them and their other potential attackers.

PC's failing the check would receive one or more automatic attacks (depending on how severely outnumbered they are).

Leadership skill:

PC's succeding in a leadership skill check of apropriate difficulty would be able to tell their companions what to do or how to maneuver to avoid free attacks (assuming they also succeded in their Tactics skill check).

These rules are meant to make the Tactics and Leadership skills more valuable to PCs and encourage them to invest in improving it.

Additionally, the GM could simply allow PCs to roll a tactics roll of RR 20 every combat. If they succed, they either gain a free attack or some other advantage (for example, they forced an opponent armed with a large sword to fight in close quarters, forcing him to switch to a weapon that causes less damage).