Help, new(ish) to AD&D

[talmor]

Hey,

After playing 3.x for several years now, I'm starting up a new AD&D 1st ed game. However, I have a number of questions about the rules that I would like to know before I really get started. Is there a FAQ or any other "so you're an idiot when it comes to AD&D" thread or anything? Some of my key questions:

There are rules for interrupting spells is you lost initiative. What if you won? Do all participants in a fight need to declare their intentions at the start of a round? That's the only want I can see some who won initiative interrupting a spell.

How do weapon speeds affect combat in group (non one-on-one) combat?

How fast and how far can someone move in a combat segment? Combat round?

What about non-standard movement. For example, I was running a test combat last night, and the Ranger wanted to climb a tree. I figured that he was A) A ranger and B) had the hunter secondary skill, so I let him, even though it was the middle of combat. Is that right?

How the heck does unarmed combat work? I can't quite get my head around it...

I think those are the questions I have for now, but I'm sure I'll have more. Can anyone help me find a resource for this?

Thanks!

[Scott]

"Is there a FAQ or any other "so you're an idiot when it comes to AD&D" thread or anything?"
Nope, but I'll be happy to assist as best as I can.

"There are rules for interrupting spells is you lost initiative. What if you won?"
The book details two methods for such situations, one that uses speed factor and one that does not. I do not use speed factor for any situation, except one on one, weapon vs. weapon combats. I use the initiative and casting time method, If the caster's initiative result + casting time is less than the attackers' initiative result, the spell comes first. The by-th-book initiative which is d6 high score wins method means that the caster has to use the attackers' result for his own in these situations. As a house rule I use low result wins. It will not affect any other aspect of the game, but it makes this isse a tad easier to figure out.

"Do all participants in a fight need to declare their intentions at the start of a round?"
Yes, but the winer of initiative does have the option to act or react, so I will usually allow some variance to the winner, or sometimes I make two initiative rolls. The first to determine who declares actions first, and the next to determine who acts first.

"How do weapon speeds affect combat in group (non one-on-one) combat?"
They don't. They're only used in one on one exchanges.

"How fast and how far can someone move in a combat segment?"
Their movement rate in feet.

"Combat round?"
Their movement rate in feet times 10. But if you are engaged in melee, you cannot move more than 10', and you have to start the round within 10' of each other, or else your move is just closing to melee next round, unless you charge. The rules do not explain how attacks occur while withdrawing or chasing fleeing opponents, so you need to create house rules.

"What about non-standard movement. For example, I was running a test combat last night, and the Ranger wanted to climb a tree. I figured that he was A) A ranger and B) had the hunter secondary skill, so I let him, even though it was the middle of combat. Is that right?"
That's for the DM to decide on a case by case basis, remembering how standard combat works and how non-standard the situation is.

"How the heck does unarmed combat work? I can't quite get my head around it..."
I've been using the UA rules since UA was released, so I can't recall the DMG rules.

[talmor]

admin said:

I've been using the UA rules since UA was released, so I can't recall the DMG rules.

Hmm, I assume that UA is Unearthed Arcana. I don't actually have this book. Should I go ahead and get the pdf from paizo or drivethrurpg? I've never read it myself, merely heard the horror stories from DM's who have used it (to be fair, generally, but not exclusively, due to the Cavalier).

[Scott]

I like the book. I think those complaints come from people who have never really played or DMed the class. I've never had a problem with them, or any of the book.

[talmor]

Aiight, I'll check it out. I'm sure I'll have a bunch of new questions when I try running combat with a MU!

Thanks for your help!

[Scott]

No problem.

[dcas]

I think weapon speeds are also used to break ties in the event of simultaneous attacks.

[Scott]

Yeah it mentions that, but it also mentions that simultaneous attacks will occur simultaneously. I use the latter.

[Falconer]

I don’t care for most things in UA, but I definitely use the unarmed combat rules from there.

Hell, I moved from AD&D 1e to OD&D, and I still use the UA weaponless combat method I. Although, come to think of it, we’ve only ever used it when the PCs have a disagreement...