Scenario: The Duelist's Gambit

Setup:

• Paladin Reynard (level 12, Reflex Save +13)
• Evil Sorcerer Malthus (level 12, Reflex Save +11)
• Setting: A crowded tavern in the city's underbelly

Paladin Reynard has a Tier2 action economy (6 attacks, 2 spells, 3 general) Evil Sorcerer Malthus has a Tier1 action economy (3 attacks, 3 spells, 3 general)

The Scene Unfolds:

Tick #1

GM: "The tavern is bustling with the usual evening crowd when suddenly, Reynard, you spot your sworn enemy, the evil sorcerer Malthus, sitting at a corner table. Malthus, you also notice Reynard at the same moment. What do you both do?"

Reynard's player: "I'm going to leap towards Malthus, sword drawn, ready to strike him down with everything I've got."

Malthus's player: "Knowing I can't win in a direct fight, I'm going to flee. I draw my Rod of Quicken and cast Quickened Dimension Door to escape."

GM: "Alright, Reynard's charge and two sword attacks will take 1 tick. Malthus, your Quickened Dimension Door also takes 1 tick. Let's roll for Reflex to see who acts first."

Reynard rolls: 1d20+13 = 25
Malthus rolls: 1d20+11 = 23

GM: "Reynard, your paladin charges the sorcerer with incredible speed. You notice a rod glowing in Malthus's hand, likely for spellcasting. You strike fast and true, and the deep wound you inflict on the sorcerer's torso disrupts his spellcasting. Malthus, your spell fails as pain sears through your body. Reynard, you ready your second sword hit, but this time, Malthus's luck allows him to avoid a fatal injury, though he's still badly wounded."

Malthus's player: "I grimace in pain, clutching my wound. That was too close!"

Reynard's player: "I press my advantage, ready to end this once and for all."

Tick #2

GM: "Alright, what are your actions for this tick?"

Reynard's player: "I'm attacking Malthus again, determined to finish him off this time."

Malthus's player: "I'm going to try Quickened Dimension Door again. This time, I'm confident I can pull it off. My character Malthus says, 'You are strong, just like your father was. But you have a long way to go. The next time we meet, it won't be so easy.' Then I activate my Rod of Quicken and cast Quickened Dimension Door."

GM: "Excellent roleplaying! Let's roll for Reflex again."

Malthus rolls: 1d20+11 = 30 (a critical roll!)
Reynard rolls: 1d20+13 = 28

GM: "Reynard, you swing your sword with all your might, but you feel nothing but the ale-scented air of the tavern. Your foe has escaped. Malthus, in a flash of arcane energy, you disappear just as Reynard's blade whistles through the space where you stood a split second ago. You reappear several blocks away, wounded but alive."

Reynard's player: "I let out a roar of frustration, my sword embedding itself in the tavern's wooden floor where Malthus stood."

Malthus's player: "I collapse against a wall in the alley where I've teleported, breathing heavily. That was far too close, but I've survived to fight another day."

Combat review: Action boards

Paladin Reynard (Tier2 action economy: 6 attacks, 2 spells, 3 general)

Tick	Action Board	Actions Taken	Remaining Actions
1	T2-T1	Attack (Charge) - Attack (Sword Strike)	A:4, S:2, G:3
2	T2-T1	Attack (Sword Strike)	A:3, S:2, G:3

Evil Sorcerer Malthus (Tier1 action economy: 3 attacks, 3 spells, 3 general)

Tick	Action Board	Actions Taken	Remaining Actions
1	T1	Spell (Failed Quickened Dimension Door)	A:3, S:2, G:3
2	T1	Spell (Successful Quickened Dimension Door)	A:3, S:1, G:3