Combat
Combat is generally not the most important part of Ars Magica stories, but when it occurs it is both dramatic and deadly.
Combat Scores
Characters have five combat scores: Initiative, Attack, Defense, Damage, and Soak. If a character is just using one weapon, the weapon modifiers can simply be read off the weapon table (see below). If the character is using a weapon and a shield, add together the modifiers of the weapon and the shield to get the final modifier.
| Initiative Total
|
Quickness + Weapon Initiative Modifier – Encumbrance + Stress Die
|
| Attack Total
|
Dexterity + Combat Ability + Weapon Attack Modifier + Stress Die
|
| Defense Total
|
Quickness + Combat Ability + Weapon Defense Modifier + Stress Die
|
| Damage Total
|
Strength + Weapon Damage Modifier + Attack Advantage
|
| Soak Total
|
Stamina + Armor Protection (+ Form Bonus, for magi)
|
In addition, the Attack Advantage, calculated during combat, is central to resolution.
| Attack Advantage
|
Attacker's Attack Total – Defender's Defense Total
|
