Mass Combat

I have been considering streamlining the FS rules for large combats for some time now. This is my current proposal, not yet playtested.

I propose to use a hex map and miniatures, and as little bookkeeping as possible.

As far as I can tell, there are two main problems with mass combat in FS. Initiative and Dice Rolling.

Initiative

The problem here is that it is too cumbersome to keep track of individual current shots for large groups of people. My solution; use a set or cards. Name one side the red faction, the other side the black faction. Draw cards. Each card has a color (red or black).

If you draw a black card, all the characters in the black faction with a speed equal to or less than the value of the card gets to take one action. Those with Speed ten higher than that of the card get to take two actions in a row. The same applies to the red faction and red cards.

If you want to do 1-shot actions, like dodging and certain Fu powers, you can do an unlimited number of such actions (but a maximum of one for each card drawn) at the cost of your next action. Lay your miniature down to indicate this. The next time you would ordinarily take an action, stand your miniature up instead. You may make a normal move.

Dressed cards (jack, queen, king) indicates the "end of the sequence". Powers governed by sequences (like Fu points and stances) reset at this time. Note that there are separate sequences for the black and red factions.

Dice Rolling

It is tedious to roll two dice for each and every mook. Especially when there are plenty of mooks attacking one another. Instead of rolling the usual two dice in the FS fashion, roll a single open d6 and subtract 3 from the result.

Glass Jaw Mooks

This is not really a function of the mass combat rules, I use this rule at all times, but it makes the makes mass combat flow smoother.

Instead of the usual "Outcome 5 kill" rule for mooks, all mooks are assumed to have 1 WP. Once he takes one point of damage, he is out of the fight. Mooks can never use MAgic or Forune points. They can spend up to 1/3 of their Fu points on each action, but no more. Thus, they do not record Fu points. If the Fu power costs 1/3 of their u or less, they can use it an unlimited number of times, otherwise they can never use it.