Putting the fight in large creatures

Large creatures can be a let down in many an Oldschool RPG fight. I recall one player saying “Gee, I though ogres would be tougher” after the party slew a pair of them in 2 rounds. I’ve seen a big beast brought down before it could do much of anything in many game systems even those that seem to account for size in the game mechanics ( I recall a giant being slain by a party of 3 or 4 150 pt characters in GURPS before it could get into position to take a single blow).

Large creatures often lose quickly because they are outclassed by the attacks of multiple opponents at range. Without deploying special attacks methods such as dragonbreath the big guys are often at a decided disadvantage in ranged combat; it should work out that way that’s one reason humans dominate the planet in real life.  How can we improve the odds or make the fights more exciting?  

Have combat options open to all large creatures that are quick and easy to resolve under the rules:

The Trample, large creatures can attack multiple foes simply by trampling them. The creature overruns a position of smaller foes by charging through them. Everyone in the path must make a saving throw or take damage from being trampled. I recommend a simple 1d6 of damage for every 4 HD the trampling creature has. A simply large creature continues on its path until 3 foes make a save (at any point in it;s path), a huge creature continues on it’s path until 4 consecutive foes make a save or it suffers damage over it’s HitDice/Level from opportunity attacks (spear set vs. charge) or incidental damage.

The Pin, a large creature can can simply pin down a smaller foe. This require a successful attack on the large creatures part against a single smaller foe with a penalty of -2 to hit to reflect greater percussion being needed. The foe get’s a saving throw to break free at the end of this round and each following round, anything the foe is carrying in hand is dropped. This pin attack will do normal damage this round. On successive rounds the creature will be able to automatically hit with it’s primary attack against the pinned foe and get a bonus of +4 with other attacks it may be able to employ if not begin attacked by allies of the smaller foe. A pinned foe can choose to try to attack (ay -4) or try to escape (at the end f the round).

The Grab, large creature can grab smaller foes either in their mouthes or claws if they are built for it.  A grab attack is made at a penalty of -4  and if it hits the smaller foe can make a saving throw to break free at the end of this and following rounds.  A grabbed foe may be carried away and will suffer an automatic hit from the bite (or claw) attack each round even if the large creature is begin attacked by allies of the smaller foe. A smaller foe grabbed by a larger creature may either attempt to attack the larger creature or break free in normal initiative order. Depending on size and strength the larger creature may be able to move away with the grabbed victim at up to running rates, when running like this the smaller foe suffers no damage from the grab attack.

The Drop, this goes along with the grab at any point the large creature can drop the smaller foe who suffers appropriate falling damage. this will clerkly have more impact the bigger the creature or if they have the power of flight. Anyone dropped will land prone unless they are appropriately nimble and make a save.

The Toss, this goes along with the grab, on any round following the grab the large creature can toss the smaller foe away. A successful hit roll vs an unarmored target is required and the smaller foe can be thrown 10’ per 2 HD the creature has and suffer 1d6 peer 10’ thrown as if falling (a save is allowed for nimble foes to cut the damage in 1/2), if there is a barrier in the way damage is still suffered and no save is allowed. If that hit roll fails the smaller foe is dropped but only suffers 1/2 damage normally accounted for in the distance dropped from the larger creatures grasp.

The Punt, a large creature may simply knock a smaller foe away. This happens on a normal attacks made at -2 to hit if the creature is focusing on it or on any attack that does damage equal to or less then the Strength score of the smaller target. A foe that is punted away is thrown 10’ per 2HD and lands prone, a save is required to avoid being stunned by the impact.

The Shield Smash, a large foe can crusha shield meant to block attacks from man-sized opponents (which means all normal shields). Any successful claw,slam, or similar attack on an odd #’d attack roll that hits a shield using smaller foe will damage the shield. If you  have no fancy shield rules or equipment damage it’s broken on a failed save (your rules could have a smashing blow save for equipment, don’t forget them).

The Crush, if a large creature is big enough it can simply crush a smaller foe with it’s mass. A crush attack is made at -2 to hit and the smaller foe gets a save, if the save fails the smaller foes is knocked prone and suffers 1d6+1d6 per 3HD the large creature has. The large creature loses all further actions (and stops moving of course) and has to make a save itself to avoid being considered prone until it can act next round. The smaller creature crushed flat under the larger creature is prone under the larger creature and is helpless until the large creature moves and also suffers 1/2 damage of the original crushing attack on each round it fails a save. A nimble warrior is allowed to attempt to attack a creature trying to crush it, they will automatically lose the save vs crush and be trapped helpless under the larger creature but may strike as if setting vs a charge if their weapon would so allow at the same time (the nimbleness can be determined by Dexterity, initiative or declared actions as appropriate).



Unimpeded Movement, large creatures can just ignore smaller foes now and again, a bull can wade through a crowd of men: surely a 40' tall giant or 100' long dragon just isn't going to care if a person is in standing in the way if they aren't much of a threat.  If a creature is much larger it can simply ignore smaller foes when moving (a bunch of mice or ants might be icky but they really can't stop you from walking through them). Anyone who tries to block the large creatures travel runs the risk of being trampled when they could otherwise dodge aside with no save required if the large creature isn't tryign to trample the smaller foes intentionally. A DM should use this with discretion but seriously, unless the PCs are superheroes they are not standing in the way of Godzilla are they?

All of the above attacks should be allowed to all larger creatures able to physically attempt them. Don’t forget large creatures can charge and this can decrease the number of  ranged attacks they will face.


Other options are in increase the defensive options of larger creatures, all of these may not apply to all creatures and some are slight alternatives to each other that may apply to different large creatures but not all.

Man-sized Weapon not designed to fight large creatures, it’s a simple fact almost all weapons are designed to fight other man-sized foes not large creatures. When a man-sized foe is using a weapon not specifically designed to attack larger creatures the weapon only inflicts 1/2 damage. Basically if it’s not a spear, and atl-atl javelin, or an arrow used in close range it is only going to do 1/2 damage vs a large creature. Axes might work great against giants but not be all that meaningful vs a triceratops or island sized dragon turtle. Use with discretion a derringer pistol isn’t designed to shoot elephants for example but a burst from an SMG isn’t going to be pretty.

Weapon Loss and Breakage, as above: most weapons are not meant to endure the stress they would take striking a large foe. Any bad miss or good hit has a chance of ruining the weapon in hand or simply getting it knocked away. Any miss in melee that is under the large creatures HD could end up with the weapon knocked out of the hands of the smaller attacker a saving throw will allow the attacker to retain the weapon. Any successful hit has a 2 in 6 chance of damaging the weapon (in absence of fancy damage rules in your game if a save fails the weapon suffers a -1 penalty each time it’s damaged and breaks when this penalty is over 1/2 the weapons damage rating).

Damage Threshold, attacks must cause a specific amount of damage or be ignored. If a large creature has a damage threshold of 4 any attack that causes 3 or less is ignored (or causes 1 point in a camping with a generous DM). This needs to be scaled to the expectation of the campaign and the weaponry on hand.

Achilles Heel, the large creature is only really vulnerable in one location. Attacks from non-magical weapons do only 1 pt if not going for the vulnerable location, magical weapons only do 1/2 damage (if you have critical attacks they either don’t apply unless directed at the special location or indicate the special locate was hit by coincidence, DM’s call).
The attack vs an achilles heel may require a called shot and should likely be limited in how many attacks may be directed against the vulnerable location based on position and weapon used (if using very abstract combat only the first 2 or 3 attacks should be allowed to possibly hit the vulnerable spot). A large creature can be given different Acs for different locations (some creatures in old school rules use this but not many).

Some weapons need not apply, this is a variant on weapon size but some weans just aren’t doing damage to a large creature in any normal combat situation. A club or mace might not be the best choice to use against a dinosaur, hippo or bison. Weapon types can outright be ineffective, minimized to 1 point or 1/2 damage.

This thing is scary, large creatures are frightening to face in combat. Sure everyone wants to think their PC is a bad-ass but not everyone is aware of their limitations until they come face to face with them. PCs shouldn’t lose all nerve when facing a large creature but when facing a large creature with HD in excess of their own Level (or type of large creature) for the first time a save is required to not briefly balk in combat (characters of certain background sand classes may not suffer this effect vs some foes, others may face it their entire career). If someone balks they are considered surprised until the end of the round. NPCs may require a morale check to stay and fight, inspiring leadership and good planning will surely win out over base craven instincts (?).


What about PCs vs small monsters? Well turnabout is fair play when fighting a smaller foe  a PC should be allowed to attempt many of the offensive actions as if they were a larger creature. Such methods are primal and could cause the attacker to lose out on actions and special abilities that require more finesse. I’ve had a PC punt giant rats and kobolds, one used a goblin as a club for a little while (they get soft and unwieldy fairly quickly but there is a morale hit when a 6 and a half foot tall warrior starts swinging away at his goblin captors with one of the goblins).

HANDS OFF !!!

(click for full sized version)

APES VICTORIOUS  is coming this summer from Goblinoid Games.  I must admit I most certainly went ape as a child in the 70's so I am looking forward to this.

 The cartoon above "borrows slightly" from a couple stills from the original Planet of The Apes Movie. I just couldn't help myself.

Hellish Coins

Here are 1d100 coins to languish in the coffers of dead kings, to fill the purse of a wicked merchant, to be found in a dead misers home. These coins are unlikely to be accepted by honest merchants and woe be to the unwitting soul that has one pressed into his palm by a stranger...

1D100	Description	Value *
1	Wooden Coin; Horned Devil; on reverse: Devil Whispering into Ear of King	1/20 cp
2	Large Wooden Coin; Bearded Devil; on reverse: King kissing a maiden while his queen is distracted by a handsome knight	1 cp
3	Huge Wooden Coin; Coiled Dragon; on reverse:Devil chasing a crowd.	20 cp
4	Ceramic Trade Marker; Blind King; on reverse: Queen accepting coins from corpulent priest.	1 cp
5	Ceramic Coin; Medusa; on reverse: Faun dancing before bound warriors.	4 cp
6	Small Stone Coin; Serpent; on reverse: Satyr chasing a maiden.	1/5 cp
7	Stone; Dragon; on reverse: Devil ridign a serpent taunting a bound angel.	1 cp
8	Huge Stone Coin; Laughing Faces; on reverse: Angel slipping atop a pile of skulls held in a platter by tormented souls.	200 cp
9	Small  Lead Coin; Horned Devil; on reverse: Cherub drinking from wine before a thirsty man. Any drink bought with these coins will sour by morning.	1/20 cp
10	Large Lead Coin; Bearded Devil; on reverse: Devil riding a bear threatens a trio of children.	2 cp
11	Tin Coated Lead Coin; Medusa; on reverse: Devil whispering to sleeping maiden.	1 cp
12	Transparent Glass Coin; Demoness; on reverse: Maiden tempted by fruit	2 cp
13	Opaque Glass Coin; Demon Prince; on reverse: Saint scolding three merchants.	3 cp
14	Iron Coin; Weeping Saint; on reverse: Wizard tormenting a pair of nude maidens	1/5 cp
15	Large Iron Coin; Serpent; on reverse: Devil whispering into the ear of a king.	1 cp
16	Huge Iron Coin; Dragon; on reverse: Witch kissing a warrior.	50 cp
17	Small Steel; Horned Devil facing forward; on reverse: Death chases a knight	1/2 cp
18	Large Steel; Skull; on reverse: Orcus feasting from a pile of howling souls.	2 cp
19	Small Brass; Demon Knight; on reverse: Devil whipping a naked warrior.	1/8 cp
20	Brass; Demoness; on reverse: Saturn tempting a modest queen.	1/2 cp
21	Large Brass; Demon Prince ; on reverse: Justice in chains surrounded by lemurs.	3 cp
22	Copper; Bearded Devil; on reverse: Venus in fallow field stalked by skeletons.	1 cp
23	Copper; Horned Devil; on reverse: Skeleton menacing a bound man.	1cp
24	Large Copper; Horned Skull; on reverse: Mars trampling fallen warriors.	4 cp
25	Tin Coated Brass; Medusa; on reverse: Gorgon embracing a skeleton.	2 cp
26	Tiny Tin Coin; Blind Prophet; on reverse: Devil reading a scroll.	1 cp
27	Tin Coin; Screaming King; on reverse: Demoness fornicating with a king.	4 cp
28	Gold Coated Lead; Winking Demon; on reverse: Jupiter sits on throne judging a line of prisoners while a hungy demon looks on.	5 cp
29	Gold Coated lead; Lewd Demoness; on reverse: Demoness fornicating with a king and priest.	5 cp
30	Tiny Bronze; Horned Queen; on reverse: Hercules riding a goat lead by a nude queen.	1/2 cp
31	Bronze; Bearded Devil; on reverse: Nude King being beaten by an angel and devil.	2 cp
32	Large Bronze; Crowned Devil; on reverse: Fool tumbling from a tower.	10 cp
33	Tin Coated Bronze; Skull; on reverse: An Innocent is lost outside the gates of a city.	12 cp
34	Silver Coated Lead; Horned Serpent Skull; on reverse: Nude Queen sits on a throne scolding a pair of imps.	5 cp
35	Silver Coated Bronze; Warrior Cleaved to teeth; on reverse: Devil commanding a skeletal knight.	8 cp
36	Silver Coated Bronze; King in Bleeding Crown; on reverse: Satyr chasing a women near an empty throne.	8 cp
37	Tiny Silver Coin; Cross-Eyed Demon; on reverse: A Tipped Cup. There is a small chance any drink bought with this coin will turn into poison while it is imbibed.	1/10 sp
38	Small Silver; Horned Devil; on reverse: Devil reading from a book to a crying king.	1/4 sp
39	Silver; King in Crown of Throns; on reverse: Angel riding a winged horse over a field of wailing souls.	1 sp
40	Large Silver; Vampire; on reverse: Death riding a skeletal horse.	5 sp
41	Huge Silver Coin; Queen with eyes gouged by daggers; on reverse: Devil on throne tormenting prisoners.	50 sp
42	Crystal Coin; Demoness; on reverse: Demoness	5 sp
43	Larger Crystal Coin; Witch; on reverse: Pentacle	20 sp
44	Small Electrum; Imp; on reverse: Nude Maiden surrounded by lemures.	1/20 gp
45	Electrum; Devil with crown of thorns; on reverse: Mars leading an army against a foolish king.	1/2 gp
46	Large Electrum; Horned Devil; on reverse: Demons pulling King from throne.	4 gp
47	Tiny Aluminium; Crowned Fish; on reverse: Orcus drinking from a goblet.	1/10 gp
48	Aluminium; Lewd Imp; on reverse: Three Dunken Nude Kings engaged in deeds best unspoken.	1 gp
49	Tiny Gold; Cyclopean Demon; on reverse: Saturn standing on body of dead maiden.	1/10 gp
50	Small Gold; Vampire; on reverse: Jupiter feeding on children.	1/4 gp
51	Small Gold; Bearded Devil; on reverse: Hercules striking a lion with two snake tails.	1/4 gp
52	Gold; Horned Devil; on reverse: King falling from horse while chased by demons.	1 gp
53	Gold; Demoness; on reverse: Fool dancing with naked women and a demon.	1 gp
54	Gold; Skull; on reverse: Death riding a dragon above a pile of skulls.	1 gp
55	Gold; Serpent; on reverse: Fool navigating a ship. Booking passage on a sea voyage with this coin curses the traveller to fall overboard on after the 3rd day.	1gp
56	Large Gold; Demon Prince; on reverse: Fattened Venus eating a leg atop a pile of bones and skulls	5 gp
57	Large Gold; Horned Devil; on reverse: God of the Cups pouring wine onto two bound kings	5 gp
58	Huge Gold, Two headed Dragon; on reverse: Dwarves digging above a sleeping dragon	100 gp
59	Tiny Orachalcum; Winking Imp; on reverse: Maiden whipping an unworthy suitor.	1/5 gp
60	Small Orachalcum; Lewd Hag; on reverse: Demoness gifting Witch a glowing orb.	1/2 gp
61	Orachalcum; Blind Saint; on reverse: Justice pushed from a pedestal by a pair of slaves.	2 gp
62	Tiny Platinum; Lemure; on reverse: Chained Skull.	1/10 pp
63	Small Platinum; Manticore; on reverse: Fool Impaled with arrows.	1/4 pp
64	Platinum; Three Headed Dragon; on reverse: Demon Prince on Throne carried by winged demons.	1 pp
65	Larger Platinum; Two Faced Demon; on reverse: Gluttonous demon consuming tormented souls.	5 pp
66	Small Uranium, Smiling Demon Prince; on reverse: Warrior surrounded by skulls.	1/2 gp
67	Uranium; Gaunt Demoness; on reverse: Crowned Skeleton standing on empty cornucopia.	2 gp
68	Small Hepatizon Coin; Crowned Raven; on reverse: Pygmy fighting a crane.	2/3 gp
69	Large Hepatizon Coin; Horned Warrior; on reverse: Three ant-headed warriors mounted on wasps fighting a hydra.	5 gp
70	Small Galvrin Coin; Horned Dward; on reverse: Two devils tugging at a king.	1/2 gp
71	Galvrin Coin; Blind Angel; on reverse: Angel dropping tormented soul into blazing pit.	2 gp
72	Aethril; Demon Prince; on reverse: Cherubs tormenting bling king that has fallen from his throne	20 gp
73	Aethril; Lewd Priest; on reverse: A demon urinates on a choir of angels.	20 gp
74	Small Adamant Coin; Blind Emperor; on reverse: A sleeping knight is stalked by death.	10 gp
75	Adamant Coin; Chortling Demon; on reverse: A parade of demons watched by a nude queen.	40 gp
76	Large Adamant Coin; Crowned Demoness ; on reverse: A king is pushed from a mountain by a crowd of skeletons.	200 gp
77	Petrified Wood; Vampire; on reverse: Demon menaces a child.	2 sp
78	Amber Disk; Blind Warrior; on reverse: crossed arrows.	3 sp
79	Salt; Crowned Skull; on reverse: A demon kicks at a closed gate.	1/2  sp
80	Brass Square; Wizard; on reverse: Demon sleeping in a circle.	2 cp
81	Brass Oval; Triton; on reverse: Three heads in the mouth of a horned fish.	3 cp
82	Scalloped Bronze; Hell Hound; on reverse: A hound feasts on the bodies of fallen warriors watched by a crying angel.	3 cp
83	Scalloped Silver; Leviathan; on reverse: A ship wreck pours tormented souls into a whirlpool.	2 sp
84	Hexagon of Silver; Cyclops; on reverse: Two hammers over an anvil covered in symbols.	3 sp
85	Scalloped Gold; Diabolic Charm; on reverse: Blasphemous verse celebratign wanton deeds of fallen angels.	2 gp
86	Triangular Gold; Bearded Demon; on reverse: King Falling into Hell. This coin will bore a hole though any purse or non-magical chest it is kept in for 3 days or longer.	2 gp
87	Platinum Wedge; Demon Prince; on reverse: Demon mounted on bat-winged pegasus.	2 pp
88	Coin Cut from Prophet’s Skull;  Arrows gouge the eyes of prophet; on reverse: A demon feeds scrolls into a pile of flaming skulls	20 gp
89	Coin Cut from Angel Skull; Angel cleaved to the teeth with a sword; on reverse: A horned skeleton wreathed in flame standing atop a pile of bones	200 gp
90	Coin cut form Saint’s Skull; Laughing Demon; on reverse: A Saint and a king skewered by a lance held by a horned fool. Anyone with this coin in their purse will only be able to hit betters in combat, they will be unable to harm equals and lesser foes,	500 gp
91	Unmelting Ice Coin; Crowned Wolf; on reverse: Giant standing atop raven heads	20 gp
92	Unmelting Ice Rectangle; Frost Giant riding chariot drawn by wolves; on reverse: Giant wolf menaces a crowd while a king flees with a sword	50 gp
93	Leviathan Ivory Coin; Mermaid; on reverse: Broken ship pours heads into a fanged maw. If this coin is placed in a coffer on a ship the ship is doomed to sink shoud it encounter a storm.	25 gp
94	Leviathan Ivory Coin; Fish; on reverse: A demon kicking a rich man off a boat floating inside a whale.	25 gp
95	Leviathan Ivory Wedge; Tentacle; on reverse: A demon holding a serpent and a trident	30 gp
96	Unicorn Horn Coin; Demoness; on reverse: A corpulent maiden feeds from a cornucopia; food bought with this coin will rot in hours, wine and potions will sour.	20 gp
97	Unicorn Horn Coin; Blind Maiden; on reverse: A knight falling from his horse threatened by skeletons; Mundane steeds will not bear a rider with this coin in a purse.	20 gp
98	Coin stamped from Dragon Scale; Blind Dragon; on reverse: A bound princess surrounded by laughing heads	5 gp
99	Gold Coated Dragon Scale; Demon Prince; on reverse: A dragon eating a mountain of gold while two dwarves try to climb away.	20 gp
100	Opalized Dragon Scale; Lewd Demon Queen; on reverse: A dragon birthing a legion of demons and lemurs; Verse on coin may be used to summon 1-4 lesser demons	100 gp

* Value of coins is based on devilish lucre being common in some manner, they may fetch a higher price from unwise collectors or may be valueless among truly good folk.