Chapter 10: Battle Master Combat and Deck Building

In Demayth, combat takes on a unique and dynamic form through the use of a customized deck of cards. This innovative system replaces traditional dice rolls, adding an element of strategy and personalization to every battle.

Understanding Your Deck

Your Demayth Deck consists of two main card types:

Common Demayth Chapter Cards (DC):

  • Magical Arsenal: These cards encapsulate your demigod's spells, magical powers, and special abilities, offering a diverse range of tactical options in battle.
  • Chapter Organization: Each Demayth Chapter card is associated with one of three chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of your demigod's divine heritage or training.
  • Casting Spells: When you play a Demayth Chapter Card, choose one of the abilities listed on the card from the corresponding chapter. This represents your demigod casting a spell or activating a unique power.
  • Starting Deck: Battle Masters do not need to abide by the starting deck rules.

Common Battle Cards (BC):

  • Martial Prowess: These cards represent your demigod's physical combat skills, including basic attacks, defensive maneuvers, and special combat techniques.
  • Attack and Defense Values: Each Battle Card has a total value of 6, distributed between Attack (ATK) and Defense (DEF) values. These values determine the effectiveness of your Demigodā€™s attacks and your ability to withstand enemy attacks.
  • Card Effects: Some Battle Cards may have additional effects or abilities printed on them, providing further tactical options in combat.
  • Starting Deck: Battle Masters do not need to abide by the starting deck rules.

Weapon and Armor Bonuses

In Demayth, weapons and armor offer more than just basic protection and damage. They can be enchanted or imbued with special properties that grant bonuses to your character's combat abilities, making them more effective in battle.

How Bonuses Work:

Weapon and armor bonuses are applied to the base attack or defense values of your Battle Cards (BC) or Demayth Cards (DC) after the card's value has been calculated. The formula for calculating the total attack or defense value is:

Total Attack/Defense Value = BC/DC Attack/Defense Value + Misc. Bonus + Item Bonus

Battle Cards and Bonuses:

  • Attack Bonus: Increases the attack value of your Battle cards, typically granted by weapons or ammunition.
  • Defense Bonus: Increases the defense value of your Battle cards, typically granted by armor or shields.
  • Damage Bonus: Most weapons grant a damage bonus instead of an attack bonus, adding to the damage dealt by your attacks.

Demayth Cards and Bonuses:

  • Demayth Bonus: This bonus, derived from magical weapons or other sources, enhances specific aspects of your Demayth cards:
    • Demayth Spell Attacks
    • Demayth Spell Defenses
    • Demayth Spell Healing
    • Demayth Spell Magic Shields
    • Demayth Spell Damage
  • Item Descriptions: Always refer to the item description to determine which specific aspect of your Demayth cards it enhances.

Example:

Your demigod mage wields a staff that grants +2 Demayth Spell Damage. When they cast a Fireball spell using a Demayth card with a base damage of 5, the total damage would be 7 (5 + 2).

Enemy Deck Options: Flexibility for the Battle Master

In Demayth, Battle Masters have the flexibility to manage enemy decks in two distinct ways, catering to different playstyles and encounter dynamics:

Shared Deck (The Master's Arsenal)

This approach involves a single, comprehensive deck containing a wide variety of Battle and Demayth Chapter cards. The Battle Master draws from this shared deck for all enemy creatures, ensuring a diverse range of tactics and abilities across encounters. This method is ideal for Battle Masters who prefer a streamlined approach and have a deep understanding of the card pool. As a seasoned player, the Battle Master likely has accumulated a vast collection of cards, making this a viable and engaging option.

Individual Decks (Personalized Foes)

Alternatively, the Battle Master can create customized decks for each enemy creature or group of creatures. This allows for greater personalization and strategic depth, tailoring each deck to the specific strengths, weaknesses, and thematic elements of the enemy. This method is particularly effective for creating memorable and distinct encounters, where each foe presents a unique challenge.

Choosing the Right Approach

The choice between a shared deck and individual decks ultimately depends on the Battle Master's preferences and the desired experience for the players. A shared deck offers simplicity and efficiency, while individual decks provide greater customization and thematic resonance.

Ultimately, the best approach is the one that enhances the narrative, creates engaging encounters, and fosters a sense of challenge and excitement for the players. By carefully considering the strengths and weaknesses of each method, the Battle Master can create a combat experience that is both dynamic and rewarding.

Group Tactics for Minor Enemies: Shared Decks and Hands

When a Battle Master commands a group of minor enemies in Demayth, they can leverage a unique tactical advantage: shared decks and hands. This mechanic represents the collective coordination and hive-mind mentality of certain creature types, allowing them to act as a cohesive unit in battle.

How it Works:

  • Shared Deck: Instead of each minor enemy having its own individual deck, the entire group draws from a single, shared deck. This deck contains a mix of Battle Cards and Demayth Chapter Cards tailored to the group's overall capabilities and tactical focus.
  • Shared Hand: The group also shares a single hand of cards, typically consisting of 3-5 cards drawn from the shared deck at the start of their turn. This allows for greater strategic flexibility, as the Battle Master can choose the most opportune cards to play based on the current battlefield situation.

Tactical Advantages:

  • Coordinated Attacks: The shared hand enables the group to launch coordinated attacks, overwhelming a single target or spreading their assault across multiple enemies.
  • Efficient Card Usage: By sharing a hand, the group can avoid drawing unnecessary or redundant cards, maximizing the effectiveness of their limited resources.
  • Unpredictability: The shared deck introduces an element of unpredictability, as the Battle Master can adapt their tactics on the fly based on the cards drawn.
  • Resource Conservation: With a single deck and hand, the group conserves resources, reducing the need for frequent reshuffles and minimizing Demayth point expenditure.

Example:

A Battle Master commands a group of goblins, utilizing a shared deck and hand. On their turn, they draw three cards + 1 for each goblin in battle: Battle Cards with high attack values and a Demayth Chapter Card that grants a temporary attack bonus to all allies. The Battle Master decides to play both Battle Cards, focusing their attacks on a vulnerable enemy, then follows up with the Demayth Chapter Card to bolster their allies' offensive capabilities for the next round.

Strategic Considerations:

  • Group Composition: The composition of the group influences the card choices in the shared deck. A group of archers might favor ranged attack cards, while a group of melee fighters might focus on close-quarters combat cards.
  • Enemy Tactics: The Battle Master should consider the overall strategy and tactics of the enemy group when constructing the shared deck. A defensive group might prioritize cards that bolster their defenses, while an aggressive group might focus on offensive cards.
  • Situational Awareness: The Battle Master must remain adaptable, adjusting their card choices and tactics based on the evolving battlefield situation.

Balancing and Fairness:

While shared decks and hands offer a tactical advantage, the Battle Master should ensure that the overall encounter remains balanced and fair for the players. This can be achieved by carefully controlling the number and power level of the enemy group, as well as by incorporating counterplay options for the players.

Boss and Godlike Decks

In the realm of Demayth, where epic battles and legendary foes await, a special category of decks exists for the most powerful entities: Boss and Godlike Decks. These decks transcend the limitations of standard Demayth Chapter Cards, replacing them with the awe-inspiring might of Godlike Chapters.

Godlike Chapters

Unlike standard Demayth Chapter Cards, which focus on specific schools of magic, Godlike Chapters encompass a broader spectrum of divine abilities. These chapters draw inspiration from the domains of powerful deities, granting access to extraordinary spells, awe-inspiring effects, and game-changing abilities.

Specialty Battle Cards

In addition to Godlike Chapters, Boss and Godlike Decks can also include Specialty Battle Cards. These cards go beyond the standard attack and defense values, offering unique effects, devastating combos, and strategic options that can turn the tide of battle in an instant.

Crafting a Legend

Battle Masters would reserve these exceptional decks for the most formidable adversaries in their campaigns, such as:

  • Final Bosses: The ultimate challenges, testing the players' skills and teamwork to the limit.
  • Divine Beings: Gods, demigods, and other celestial entities wielding immense power.
  • Legendary Creatures: Ancient dragons, mythical beasts, and other creatures of immense strength and cunning.

A Battle for the Ages

By wielding a Boss or Godlike Deck, these entities become forces to be reckoned with, capable of unleashing devastating attacks, manipulating the battlefield, and challenging the players' strategic prowess. These encounters transcend mere combat, becoming epic clashes that shape the destiny of characters and the world itself.

The Battle Master's Responsibility

Crafting a Boss or Godlike Deck requires careful consideration and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. The Battle Master must balance power and challenge, ensuring that the encounter is both thrilling and fair. By wielding these decks with wisdom and restraint, the Battle Master can create unforgettable moments that will be etched in the players' memories for years to come.

Combat System Consistency and Flexibility

The combat system outlined in this guide mirrors the core mechanics established in the Demayth Adventures Guide, ensuring a familiar and consistent experience for players transitioning between roles. Battle Masters can confidently reference the existing rules for card-based combat, initiative, actions, and damage resolution, streamlining the learning curve and promoting smooth gameplay.

However, the Battle Master's role extends beyond mere rule enforcement. As the architect of the narrative, they have the authority and creativity to adapt or modify the combat system for dramatic or story-driven effect. This flexibility allows for:

  • Cinematic Moments: Heightening tension and excitement through rule adjustments that emphasize heroic feats or dramatic reversals.
  • Thematic Resonance: Tailoring combat mechanics to reflect the unique abilities or limitations of specific creatures or environments.
  • Narrative Flexibility: Introducing unexpected twists or challenges that keep players on their toes and enhance the overall story.