SF2E COMBAT QUICK REFERENCE

Source: SF2E Chapter 8: Playing the Game Last Updated: 2026-01-17

ACTION ECONOMY

ATTACK ROLLS

• Melee: d20 + Str (or Dex for finesse) + proficiency + modifiers vs AC
• Ranged: d20 + Dex + proficiency + modifiers vs AC
• Spell: d20 + spellcasting attribute + proficiency + modifiers vs AC

Multiple Attack Penalty (MAP)

Resets at start of your turn. Does not apply to reactions.

Range Penalty

DEGREES OF SUCCESS

Natural 20: Improve by one degree. Natural 1: Worsen by one degree.

DEFENSES

AC = 10 + Dex (capped by armor) + proficiency + armor bonus + modifiers

Basic Save Results

DAMAGE

• Melee: Damage die + Str + bonuses
• Ranged: Damage die + bonuses
• Thrown: Damage die + full Str
• Propulsive: Damage die + half Str
• Spell/Grenade: Damage die + bonuses (no attribute unless noted)

Types: Physical (B/P/S) | Energy (Acid, Cold, Electricity, Fire, Sonic, Vitality, Void) | Other (Force, Spirit, Mental, Poison, Bleed, Precision)

Process: Roll dice → Add modifiers → Determine type → Apply immunity → weakness → resistance → Reduce HP

• Critical hits double all damage
• Round down when halving (minimum 1)

Immunity, Weakness, Resistance

• Immunity: Complete negation
• Weakness: Increase damage by value (use highest if multiple)
• Resistance: Reduce damage by value (use highest if multiple, minimum 0)

DEATH AND DYING

Reaching 0 HP

• NPCs: Typically die immediately
• PCs: Gain dying 1 (or dying 2 from crit/crit fail save). Nonlethal: unconscious without dying.

Recovery Check (each turn while dying)

DC = 10 + current dying value

• Dying 4 = Death
• Taking damage while dying: +1 dying (+2 from crit)
• Losing dying: gain wounded 1 (or increase wounded)

Wounded

• When gaining dying while wounded: add wounded value to dying
• Removal: Treat Wounds, full HP + 10 min rest, or -1 per full night's rest

Doomed

• Max dying reduced by doomed value (doomed 1 = die at dying 3)
• Removal: -1 per full night's rest

Instant Death

• Dying reaches 4
• Death effect reduces to 0 HP
• Massive damage (>= 2x max HP in single blow)
• Doomed reduces max dying to 0

HERO POINTS

• Start with 1 per session; max 3
• Reroll (1 HP): Reroll check, use second result
• Heroic Recovery (all HP): Lose dying, stabilize at 0 HP, no wounded gain

HIT POINTS

• Temporary HP: Separate from current/max; damage reduces temp first; only one source; can't be healed
• Fast Healing: Regain HP each round at start of turn
• Regeneration: Like fast healing; prevents dying; deactivates from specified damage type

COMMON COMBAT ACTIONS

MOVEMENT

• Stride: Move up to Speed (triggers reactions)
• Step: Move 5 ft (no reactions)
• Modes: Burrow, Climb, Fly, Swim
• Difficult Terrain: Double movement cost
• Forced Movement: Involuntary; doesn't trigger most reactions

COVER AND FLANKING

• Lesser Cover: +1 AC
• Standard Cover: +2 AC
• Flanking: Two allies on opposite sides; target is off-guard (-2 AC)

KEY CONDITIONS (COMBAT)

PROFICIENCY RANKS

BONUSES AND PENALTIES

• Bonus Types (use highest of each): Circumstance, Status, Item
• Typed Penalties: Use worst of each type
• Untyped Penalties: All stack

SPECIAL CHECKS

• Flat Check: d20 only, no modifiers. Auto-succeed DC <= 1; auto-fail DC >= 21
• Secret Check: GM rolls for player
• DC from Modifier: 10 + total modifier

SPELL SYSTEM

• Attack: d20 + spellcasting attribute + proficiency
• DC: 10 + spellcasting attribute + proficiency
• Innate spells: Use Charisma unless stated otherwise

GENERAL CONVENTIONS

• Specific overrides general
• Round down (minimum 1 when halving)
• Multiple multipliers combine: x2 and x2 = x3
• Duplicate effects: only highest level/rank applies

THREE MODES OF PLAY