Quick & Dirty Duel Rules

One game night a character was ignoring every hint and pushing his luck with the local authorities. As a player he should be able to do what he wanted, but if it was two hours earlier, I could have run the scene differently with them putting the beat down on him. I didn't want to tell him not to do it but I didn't have a way to immediately put the decision to the dice in a “proper way” at that point in the game night. We did a straight d20 vs. d20 roll, he won, the character got away with being a smart-ass and we moved on. In retrospect, I wanted a quick, easy way to determine appropriate results, thus my Q&D Duel Rules were born.

Q&D Duel Rules

Used for quick resolution between one PC (called the primary) and at least one more foe. The primary always uses one dice. The other side uses one or more dice. The total number of dice rolled should always add up to 20. While called duel rules, it just means situations where only one player will roll. If more than one PCs get involved, these rules should not be used.

Dice to Use

If opponents are within 2 HD or level of PC, both use a d10 each

Primary is more than 3 - 4 HD or levels higher, Primary = d12, foe = d8

Primary is 3 - 4 HD or level less than their opponent, Primary = d8, foe = d12

If Primary taking on a group and HD is between 5 HD or levels more than primary attacker, use primary d4 vs foe = 4d4

This decision to use Q&D rules should be jointly made by both DM and player. The PC should not know which dice they will roll beforehand. It is an unplanned action, they cannot buff-up using spells, it happens right then in game at the table, during the story.

Modifiers

Add total BAB & Strength bonus + dice roll; (Total BAB of each side, highest strength bonus of any individual.)

Rogues & Monks (or anyone with a dexterity feat), may substitute dexterity bonus for strength if they are the primary. The Opponent will always use strength unless it is a one on one duel, in which case they may use Dexterity bonus.

Outcome

Whoever scores higher wins, knocks the other foe (s) out. If the primary wins, they may declare their enemies either dead or unconscious. Take whatever is higher between HD + BAB or the dice roll as the damage the winner receives, but they never have fewer than 1 hp. If the PC loses, they have dropped below zero hit points and are bleeding. Assume they have five rounds before death, unless they are stabilized or healed.

Assume that the all duel action is handled within five total rounds.