Damage Application Order

#systemRPG #combat #damage

Damage Application Order

Use this sequence to compute damage consistently after a successful hit.

  1. Base Damage: Start with the attack’s base damage dice (e.g., from Weapon Baselines or Spell Baselines).
  2. Additive Modifiers: Apply ability-specific additive dice steps or flat dice before multiplication.
  3. Damage Multiplier: Multiply per Combat Rules#Attacker Wins (×(1 + extra successes beyond minimum)).
  4. Flat Damage Reduction (DR): Subtract the target’s DR = Endurance ÷ 5 (round down).
  5. Resistances/Weaknesses: Apply elemental/typed adjustments.
  6. On-Hit Riders: Apply conditions or ongoing effects (e.g., Bleeding, Burning).

Notes:

  • If damage is reduced below 0, treat as 0.
  • PD/MD are part of the contest via Defense Power Level; they do not add extra soak beyond DR unless a specific effect states otherwise.