If multiple characters attempt an action, you can use this shortcut. This is particularly useful when rolling a large number of foes’ attacks versus the heroes. Pick one character to be the primary, then add a bonus based on the number of participants using the Combined Actions Chart (derived from the Torg Value Chart).
Assigning Attacks
The Game Master should use common sense when assigning attacks. Ranged attackers should split their attacks among all possible targets unless there is a clear threat for them to focus fire on. Melee attackers tend to pair off evenly among all possible foes, but usually can’t pit more than four against a single defender since that’s all that can physically crowd around him. Each group hits with a single attack, but the bonus from the combined attackers improves the chance of gaining bonus damage.
Extra Effort
Player characters who want to put additional effort into helping another character complete a task can make an appropriate skill test for Extra Effort. Use this only for player-based actions—keep the simpler system for summing up attacks or other nonplayer character actions.
- Failure: The helper gets in the way and adds nothing to the primary character’s total.
- Standard: The helper counts as an additional person as usual.
- Good: The helper counts as two additional people.
- Outstanding: The helper counts as three additional people.
Group Penalty
Sometimes more people have no effect or are even harmful to the outcome rather than helpful, such as 10 people trying to sneak past a guard tower rather than two. In this case, the GM may decide there’s no bonus for Combined Actions, or the bonus is read as a penalty instead!