>> Combat

Quickstart
>> Combat
Quickstart

Copyright © 2019 Christopher Peter

Divine Madness Press

Cover Art by FoORay

Layout by Craig Judd
Introduction
Fight! is a role-playing game that emulates
the characters, storylines, and combat style
of fighting video games. This free Quickstart
edition is meant solely as a demonstration of
Introduction to the
Setting
There is no default setting in Fight! beyond the
presumption of some standard tropes found
in many fighting games. However, the two
Quickstart characters contained here are part
of the implied setting contained in the artwork
of the 2nd Edition rulebook. The first is Shine
Holly, a young, party girl superhero trying
to protect her loved ones from an evil group
called the Empty Black.
Her opponent is Hideki Douglas, Shine’s
occasional partner and possibly more. Hideki
is a noble fighter from the Azure Scythe School,
a style known for its cutting ki attacks and its
honorable practitioners. Hideki is an exemplary
member of his school’s tradition, but he is trying
to escape from a rash action from his youth.
Why are these two Fighters fighting one another
if they are friends? That’s for you to decide!
the combat system, using two pre-generated
characters. It does not contain the entire
combat section, nor does it contain rules for
character generation or skill use.
Introduction to
Increasing or
Decreasing Die Sizes
The Fight! system uses d4s, d6s, d8s, d10s, and
d12s (though never more than one in a single
roll). All rolls use a particular die type for a
check (most are either d6 or d10). However,
some effects in the rules add or subtract a die
size. For example, if a particular roll is a d6, but
the character is under the influence of a rule
that increases his die size, instead of rolling a
d6, he would roll a d8. If a die size is reduced
below a d4, it is reduced to a d2, and then
to simply a single point. If reduced again, it
becomes zero. If a die size is increased beyond
a d12, roll a d12 and add two. For each die size
beyond d12, add 2. Thus, 2 die size increases
beyond a d12 would be a d12+4.
>> Combat Quickstart
Understanding
the Character
Sheet
The two character sheets included with this
Quickstart edition are complete character
sheets, even though many of the elements on
the sheet are not used in this playtest. Each of
the categories on the sheet will be explained
individually here.
Power Level
Power Level (PL) is basically equivalent to the
concept of level in a level-based role-playing
game. It determines some of a character’s combat
capabilities, as well as how many Special
Moves and Skills the character possesses. It
is rated from 1 to 8. This is a reference to the
standard demarcation of eight difficulty levels
in many classic fighting games. Just as a player
playing fighting games on difficulty 8 will need
to know all the tricks of a character and how
to use him in play, a PL 8 character will have
reached his full potential, with a full array of
Special Moves and resources.
All relevant game effects of Power Level have
already been factored in elsewhere on the sheets.
Strength, Speed, and
Stamina
These three characteristics, referred to as
Basic Qualities, are the only “attributes” in
the game. They range from –1 to 2, with 0
being average. However, “average” is a rating
4 Understanding the Character Sheet
• •
measured against other extraordinary martial
artists in the setting, not “normal” people. All
such extraordinary PCs and NPCs are called
Fighters. Every other NPC with game statistics
who is not a Fighter is referred to as a Thug
(regardless of their actual profession). Thugs do
not have Basic Qualities. Thus, a 0 Strength is
still much stronger than a regular person.
Strength determines how much damage a
character does in combat. A character with a
Strength 1 or 2 increases their base damage
by one or two die sizes respectively. Likewise,
a Strength of –1 reduces base damage by one
die size. The effects of Strength have already
been added into the damage of Special Moves
on the character sheet, but not to Basic Moves
(see the combat section for the distinction
between Basic and Special Moves).
Stamina determines how much damage a
character can endure in combat. A character
with a Stamina 1 or 2 decreases the damage
received in combat by one or two die sizes
respectively. Likewise, a Stamina of –1 actually
increases the damage received in combat by
one die size. Both of these characters have a
Stamina of 0, so it has no effect on combat
between these two characters.
Speed is a bit more complicated. A Speed
of 0 means the character acts in combat as
normal. However, a character with a positive
or negative Speed is further distinguished by a
benefit or liability in the categories of Control
and Initiative. Control represents a Fighter’s
ability to more consistently pull off more
difficult Special Moves or longer Combos.
Initiative represents a Fighter’s ability to
strike first, thereby potentially preventing his
opponent from responding.
 • • Combat Quickstart
In every combat turn, a Fighter rolls 1d6 each
for Control and Initiative. A Fighter with a
Speed of 1 can choose to increase his die size
for either Control or Initiative, but this choice
is made at character creation and can never
be changed. A Fighter with a Speed of 2 can
choose to increase each by one die size or
to increase one or the other by two die sizes.
Likewise, a Fighter with a –1 Speed must
choose a permanent one die size penalty on
either Control or Initiative.
Both of the included Quickstart Fighters have
increased Speeds. Hideki has a Speed of 1
in Control, while Shine has a Speed of 2 in
Initiative. Thus, Hideki rolls 1d8 for Control
and 1d6 for Initiative, while Shine rolls 1d6 for
Control and 1d10 for Initiative.
Life Bar, Fighting Spirit,
and Bonuses
Life Bar (LB) represents how much damage
a character can take before being defeated in
combat. Usually this means “Knocked Out,”
but depending on the circumstances, it may
just mean the Fighter is unable to continue
fighting. It corresponds to the Life Bars at the
top of the screen in a fighting game.
Fighting Spirit (FS) represents the drive,
resourcefulness, and endurance of a Fighter. It
is used for many purposes in combat: it can
increase Initiative or Control, increase the
Accuracy of an attack, and it can increase
one’s defense against attack. A character
may spend any amount of Fighting Spirit in a
single turn, though he is limited to spending
no more than his Power Level on any single
roll or calculation. For example, the playtest
Understanding the Character Sheet
>>
characters are both Power Level 3. Each could
spend up to 3 FS to increase Initiative, another
3 to improve their chance to defend against
being hit, and then another 3 to improve their
own chance to hit, all on a single turn, but
never more than 3 FS in any one instance.
As a Fighter advances in Power Level, he earns
bonuses that can be applied to four different
categories to better exemplify his specific
fighting style. The four categories are Accuracy,
Control, Damage, and Defense.  Accuracy
+1 adds 1 to all attack rolls. Control +1 adds
1 to all Control rolls. Defense +1 adds 1 to
all Defense Totals (regardless of what Skill is
used for defense; see below). Damage +1 adds
1 to all rolled damage. Note that Shine has
concentrated on Damage and Defense, while
Hideki has concentrated on Accuracy and
Control. Hideki used his bonuses to enhance
his strengths, while Shine used hers to make
up for some of her deficiencies.
Qualities, Weaknesses,
and Quirks
These three categories are additional elements
that define the character. Qualities represent
access to special resources, connections and
contacts, ways to better interact with others,
special knowledge, and even relevant physical
traits like being exceptionally short or tall.
Weaknesses represent “negative Qualities,”
while Quirks are personality traits that
influence the way the character acts, usually
to his detriment.
A couple of the traits possessed by these
Quickstart characters have an effect on
combat; their relevant effects are included
5
>> Combat Quickstart • •

on their character sheets. All of the other They are used in various ways to determine a
Qualities, Weaknesses, and Quirks should still character’s capabilities outside of combat.
be somewhat evocative about the characters
This Quickstart edition does not require the use
in general and their personalities in particular.
of any non-combat Skills. The Skill system is very
The full version of the rules contains over 100
simple for ease of play, utilizing a d10 + skill
Qualities, Weaknesses, and Quirks.
level to beat an assigned Difficulty Level. The
full version of the rules contains over 40 Skills.
Skills
The next two blocks on the character sheets Special Moves
are devoted to Skills. Skills encompass not
The last part of each character sheet contains
only skills as traditionally understood, but also
the characters’ Special Moves. It should be
special techniques, mystical powers, and even
noted that these characters have fewer moves
states of mind.
than a typical Power Level 3 Fighter.  
The first category of Skills is Combat Skills.
The top line gives the move’s name and Level
These apply specifically to elements of the
(abbreviated L). The Level determines how
combat system. The first three, Defense,
powerful the move is as well as how difficult
Evasion, and Tactics, determine the ability of
the move is to perform. 
a character to avoid being hit. There are no
skills to demonstrate ability to hit someone. In After this, the move’s Accuracy and Damage
a video game, a hit occurs simply because you are listed. Accuracy is added to all attack rolls
attack and your attack lands on the opponent and damage is rolled if an attack is successful.
in some way. Thus, skill in a video game is not The characters’ Strengths are already calculated
in learning how to hit, but rather in avoiding into the listed damages.
being hit. These three skills represent different
The next category lists all the Elements that
ways of doing this: blocking, evading, and
make up the move. Special Moves can also
countering. Ki is a skill that represents the
have Liabilities that limit the move in exchange
damage a character does with a ranged attack.
for more Elements, but the Quickstart
A character without ranged attacks does not
characters don’t have any Special Moves with
need this skill. Finally, Combo represents how
Liabilities. A move’s Elements describe how
well the Fighter can string attacks together
the Special Move is used in combat and what
into a single attack. Its rating determines the
special rules apply to it. Descriptions of all
maximum number of attacks that can be
the relevant Elements and Liabilities for all the
included in a single Combo.
Special Moves of the Quickstart characters are
The second category of Skills is Narrative contained in the next section. Occasionally,
Skills. Narrative Skills correspond most closely a number is located in parentheses after
to regular “skills” in most role-playing games. the Element. These refer to the cost to build

6 Understanding the Character Sheet

 • • Combat Quickstart
the Special Move and are irrelevant for this
Quickstart.
Beneath the move’s attributes is a brief
description of what the move looks like in
execution. Once again, name and description
are very important for capturing the feel of this
very visual genre.
Note that the last move for each character is
listed as a Super Move. This is a more powerful
version of a Special Move. They are included
here to demonstrate what they look like, though
the rules for Super Moves are not included in
this Quickstart.
Elements of Special
Moves
The following descriptions provide details
for all the Elements and Liabilities included
in every one of Shine’s and Hideki’s Special
Moves. These descriptions contain references
to rules contained in the Combat section that
have not yet been explained, but they are
contained here for ease of reference in play.
All titles are arranged alphabetically. The
full version of the rules contains almost 200
Elements and Liabilities for building Special
and Super Moves.
Some of the descriptions below include a
“Combo” entry. This describes any special
rules that apply when a Special Move with this
Element is used in a Combo.
The character sheets also list a series of
Keywords. These are not used in the Quickstart
rules, but they describe how the move interacts
with other aspects of the combat rules in
special situations.
Understanding the Character Sheet
>>
Aerial
This move involves the Fighter leaping high
into the air before attacking or as part of the
attack. If a move with this Element is used and
the attacker is interrupted by an opponent who
had held their Initiative, the attacker receives
a +2 bonus on his Defense Total if he chooses
to use the Evasion Skill to avoid the attack.
Special rules apply if a move with this Element
is used and the defender chooses to use any
Defensive Response other than the Anti-Air
Response. If the attacker using the Special
Move with the Aerial Element misses, he can
use his full Evasion Skill against the defender’s
attack, rather than half his Defense Skill as
normal.
Combo: The effects of this Element only apply
if the move is the first move in the Combo.
Anti-Air
This move is intended to specifically
counterattack as a combatant jumps toward
the attacker. The move allows the Anti-Air
Defensive Response.
Easy to Combo
When this move is used in a Combo, it does not
count against the number of moves allowed by
the Fighter’s Combo Skill.
Fast Recovery
This move is easy to recover from or can be
cancelled out of, making it easier to progress
into the next attack, or the move improves the
actual position of the attacker in relation to his
opponents. If this move hits, the attacker gets a
one die size increase on the following turn that
7
>> Combat Quickstart
can be applied to either Initiative or Control,
determined when the move is first designed.
However, any hit against the user before the
Fast Recovery effect occurs on the following
turn nullifies the bonus.
Combo: As long as the Combo hits, the Fast
Recovery effect occurs regardless of the move’s
placement in the Combo.
Hard to Evade
This move has some characteristic that makes it
difficult to Evade. Regardless of how the move
is defined, the effect is to give a +1 Accuracy
against an Evading opponent.
Increased Accuracy
Each application of Increased Accuracy
(costing three Elements) adds +1 to the move’s
Accuracy. This is already calculated in the
move’s Accuracy characteristic.
Increased Damage
This increases the base damage of a Special
Move. One Element keeps the base damage
at 1d6, but the attack does a minimum of 2
points on the die roll. When one damage is
rolled, re-roll the die until the result is two
or higher. The effects of this Element have
already been calculated in the move’s Damage
characteristic.
Increased Knockback
If this move hits, it knocks the defender back 2
Ranges, rather than just one.
Combo: This move only does Increased
Knockback if it is the last move in a Combo.
8 Understanding the Character Sheet
• •
Juggle
This move knocks the opponent high into the
air, thus increasing the possibility of stringing
together a longer Combo against the opponent
before he hits the ground.
Combo: Even though a move with this Element
Knocks Down, such a move can be used to
begin a Combo. In this case, the Knock Down
occurs at the end of the Combo. If a Combo
begins with a move with the Juggle Element,
any additional Special Move in the Combo
that Knocks Down will cancel this delay effect.
Knocks Down
This is an extremely common Element in the
source material. If this move hits, the opponent
also suffers a Knock Down in addition to Knock
Back, damage, and Stun damage.
Mobile
This Element adds the Mobile Keyword to the
move, allowing the Fighter to move 2 Ranges
before attacking, at a cost of 1 FS.
Combo: The movement allowed by this Special
Move only applies if it is the first move in the
Combo.
Priority
This move is executed quickly and connects
first even in near-simultaneous attack
situations. This move breaks ties in the case of
simultaneous Initiative. It can also be used for
the Priority Defense Response.
 • • Combat Quickstart
Ranged
The Long Range Keyword allows the Fighter to
use this move at Ranges 0-4. Unlike all other
Special Moves, the damage for a Special Move
with the Ranged Element is based solely on
the character’s Ki skill and is not modified by
Strength.
Reach
This move can be used further away than
most moves, though not as far as a move with
the Ranged Element. A move with the Reach
Element can hit a target without penalty at
any Range from 0 to 2 (and still receives a +1
Accuracy at Range 0). Furthermore, the attack
can hit at Range 3 with a –2 Accuracy.
Combo: Only the Accuracy modifier of the first
move in a Combo applies; Accuracy modifiers
for the rest of the moves in the same Combo
are ignored.
>>
die size penalty on Initiative on the following
turn (instead of the usual one die size penalty).
If the Fighter is Knocked Down and he has
already acted this turn, he rolls for Initiative
on the following turn (with the normal one die
size penalty for standing). If he gets Initiative
and has enough Control to use a move with
the Reversal Element, he can use this move at
the same time as he stands up. In this case,
there is no penalty to Accuracy. If he does not
get Initiative but still rolls enough Control to
perform the move with the Reversal Element,
he can use the Reversal Defensive Response if
he is attacked right after he stands up when his
turn to act comes up (i.e., if his opponent has
Held his attack until the Fighter stood up).
Combo: Only the Accuracy modifier of the first
move in a Combo applies; Accuracy modifiers
for the rest of the moves in the same Combo
are ignored.

Reversal
If the Fighter possesses a move with this
Element and is Knocked Down, he can attempt
to perform a Reversal. How this Element is used
depends on when the combatant is Knocked
Down. If the Fighter is Knocked Down and
has not yet acted this turn, he can attempt to
perform the move with the Reversal Element
instead of just standing up on this turn. He
must have enough Control to use the move
(the normal rules for Hit Stun do not apply in
this case) and he must be within Range. The
attack has a -2 Accuracy penalty. If it hits, the
combatant is considered to be standing and
he does not suffer an Initiative penalty on the
following turn. If he misses, however, he is still
considered to be standing, but he suffers a two

Understanding the Character Sheet 9

>> Combat Quickstart
Combat Rules
 The following rules explain how to conduct a
duel between Shine Holly and Hideki Douglas.
For clarity, only the rules required for a combat
between these two characters are included
here. All other options and cases have been
excluded.
General Outline of a Turn
in Combat
1 Each Fighter rolls a separate die for Control
and Initiative. Dice are either kept aside or
the numbers are recorded.
2 Fighters act in order of Initiative.
3 The Fighter with the higher Initiative can
either go first or hold.
4 The attacking Fighter optionally chooses
to move before attacking.
5 The attacking Fighter chooses his attack
limited by the Control rolled for the turn.
This may be a Basic Move, a Special Move,
or a Combo.
6 The defending Fighter determines his
defensive option and his defense total.
7 The attacking Fighter calculates all
modifiers to Accuracy and rolls 1d6. If he
rolls equal to or higher than the defender’s
defense total, he hits.
8 If the attack hits, roll damage, note Knock
Back, and apply effects of Knock Down
and/or Stunning, as applicable.
10 Combat Rules
• •
9 A Fighter who has been hit suffers Hit Stun
and loses his action for the round if he has
not already acted.
10 When all Fighters have acted or lost their
ability to act, the turn ends. Roll 1d6 for
time passed and narrate what has occurred
during the turn, including role-playing
conversation during battle.
11 Begin the next turn with new rolls for
Control and Initiative.
Initiative and Control
Characters roll Initiative and Control. The base
roll is 1d6 for each, modified by the character’s
Speed.
Before rolling, characters can spend Fighting
Spirit (FS) to increase the die size rolled for
either Control or Initiative or both. One FS
will increase the die size for either Initiative
or Control by one, to a maximum of 1d12 for
each. A character can only spend as much
FS as his Power Level. This limit is applied to
both Initiative and Control, not to each of them
separately. If necessary, characters declare
their intention to do this in reverse order of
Speed (so Hideki would have to declare first).
Roll Initiative and Control as separate rolls. If
the combatant with the highest Initiative on
the previous turn also hit his opponent on
the previous turn, he gets a +1 on Initiative
on this turn. If the highest Initiative was tied
last turn or if the character with the highest
Initiative missed his opponent or didn’t attack
at all on the previous turn, no one gets this
bonus. Control Bonus is added to Control roll,
if applicable.
 • • Combat Quickstart
The character with the highest Initiative total
acts first. He is said to “have Initiative.” A
character with Initiative may choose to let
another combatant go first. A character holding
their Initiative in this fashion can choose to act
at any point later in the turn. If this involves
interrupting after another combatant actually
declares a specific attack, a separate Initiative
roll is used only to determine the order for this
exchange. FS can be spent to increase this roll
as usual.
Characters act in Initiative order until all
characters have acted.
Simultaneous Initiative
Simultaneous Initiatives act simultaneously.
Such characters can only use the Defense
skill in response to simultaneous attacks.
Declaration of actions occurs in reverse order
of Control totals, even though the actions are
considered to be simultaneous. Characters
acting simultaneously cannot perform Combos.
If tied combatants wish to move before
attacking or instead of attacking, this occurs
first simultaneously, and then attacks
occur simultaneously. A character doing
a simultaneous jumping Basic attack is
considered to also be Evading for no FS
cost (see Defensive Options below). If two
characters simultaneously move towards one
another, they travel as many Ranges towards
one another as the greater movement (which
means they may pass through one another
– see below). If not all tied combatants wish
to move, those who wish to attack without
moving do so first. These attacks are resolved
simultaneously. If some (but not all) of the
tied combatants wish to move or move and
>>
then attack, and are still able to act after the
opponent has attacked, they now do so.
Simultaneous attacks only Knock Back 1
Range. In other words, the two opponents do
not knock each other back 1 Range each, for a
total of 2 Ranges. If one of the attacks has the
Increased Knock Back Element, Knock Back is
2 Ranges.
How to Resolve an
Attack
The Attacker declares his specific attack, which
can be a Special Move, a Basic Move, or a
Combo. The choice is limited by the Control
roll. A character can only use an attack with a
level equal to or less than his Control roll. If the
attacker does not have high enough Control for
the move or for the length of Combo desired,
that move cannot be used or the Combo
must be of shorter length. Basic Moves are
considered to be L1 moves. A Basic Move can
be defined however the combatant wishes; it
covers all standard punch and kick attacks.
Basic Moves do 1d4 Damage, modified by the
attacker’s Strength and the defender’s Stamina
as usual.
If the Attacker has rolled Control higher than
needed for his choice of specific attack, he
receives a +1 bonus to Accuracy.
If the Attacker intends to act on Full Offense
this turn, this must also be declared now before
the Defender prepares his response.
The Defender then spends FS on defense if
desired. Each 1 FS adds 1 to his defense total.
The Defender can spend FS up to his Power
Level. If the Defender intends to act on Full
Combat Rules 11
>> Combat Quickstart
Defense this turn, this must also be declared
before the Attacker resolves his attack. A
character that has already taken any actions
this turn cannot act on Full Defense.
The Attacker then spends FS on Accuracy if
desired. Each 1 FS adds 1 to the chance to hit.
The Attacker can spend FS up to his Power Level.
The Attacker rolls 1d6 + the move’s Accuracy +
the character’s Accuracy Bonus (if applicable)
+ FS points spent on Accuracy (if applicable).
A Combo is rolled as a single attack, modified
by the Accuracy of only the 1st move in the
Combo, and then further modified by the
number of attacks in the Combo (see below).
A combatant on Full Offense may instead
roll 1d10 for attacks, but then can choose no
defensive options besides Defense during the
remainder of this turn, and even then he only
adds ½ (round down) of his Defense skill to
defense totals. Furthermore, the character’s die
size for either Initiative or Control is reduced
by one on the following turn. This latter effect
is cumulative if the combatant stays on Full
Offense for multiple turns in a row.
The Defender’s defense total is his Defense
skill (or other appropriate skill; see below) +
the character’s Defense Bonus (if applicable)
+ FS points spent on defense (if applicable).
A combatant on Full Defense adds +2 to his
defense total. Full Defense cannot be used
with Evasion or Tactics. A combatant on Full
Defense may take no actions at all, but may roll
one die larger for either Initiative or Control on
the following turn for no FS cost.
If the Attacker rolls equal to or higher than
the defense total, the attack hits. Otherwise,
it misses.
12 Combat Rules
• •
If the attack hits, it does damage. The opponent
suffers from Hit Stun and loses their action
this round. If the opponent has already acted
this round, they do not lose their action in the
following round. This is the simplified rule for
Hit Stun for this Quickstart; the full rule allows
characters with high Control rolls to still have
limited action during the turn.
The first combatant to land a successful attack
during a fight gains back Fighting Spirit equal
to his Power Level (3, in the case of these two
Quickstart characters). If both combatants hit
one another simultaneously, the one doing
greater damage receives the bonus to FS. If
damage is equal, no bonus FS is regained. A
character’s Fighting Spirit cannot go above its
starting total. 
The Attacker rolls damage. Damage comes off
the opponent’s Life Bar.
The Attacker calculates Stunning, Knock Back
and Knock Down (see below).
Play proceeds to the next character or, if a Hit
Stun has occurred, to the next turn.
After Everyone has
Acted
The Director rolls 1d6 for the time check. The
combat begins with a time count of 99. The
time check roll is subtracted from this time
count each turn. If the time count reaches 0 or
less and one of the combatants is not Knocked
Out, the one with the most Life Bar remaining
is the winner. Feel free to come up with a story-
based reason why these two Fighters only have
to a count of 99 to finish their battle.
 • • Combat Quickstart
After everyone has acted, some effort should
be made by the players to narrate the events
that occurred during the turn. This is also a
good time to encourage the players to role-
play the conversation between the combatants
before proceeding to the next turn.
Fighting Spirit in Combat
There is one general rule that applies to all
expenditures of Fighting Spirit during combat.
A combatant may spend Fighting Spirit for
particular actions any number of times during
a turn. For example, a combatant may spend
FS on Initiative, and then to attack, and then
perhaps later in the turn to defend.
However, the amount of Fighting Spirit a
combatant can use for any single application
of FS is always limited by their Power Level.
Therefore, while a PL 3 character may spend
FS four times during a turn, each time no more
than 3 FS can be used. This rule is usually
stated in the specific rules section dealing with
FS expenditures in a specific situation, but
even if it is not mentioned explicitly, this rule
always applies.
Range and Movement
All combat is based on the principle of Range
Categories. There are 6 Ranges, numbered 0-5.
Range 0 is grappling range, though normal
combat can also occur at this range. Range 1 is
standard combat range. Range 2 is just outside
normal combat range, though some attacks
may still hit at this range, as combatants jink
in and out of range of one another. Range 3
is a short distance away, but one in which
combatants can still close with one another
>>
quickly. Range 4 is normal range for most
ranged attacks. Range 5 is effectively out of
combat, while still maintaining the possibility
of re-engaging. All combat occurs between
Ranges 0-4. It is up to the Director to decide
how far apart combatants are at the beginning
of combat. This Quickstart encounter begins at
Range 3.
Attacks at Range 0 receive a +1 to hit. Attacks
at Range 2 receive a –1 to hit.
A combatant can move forward or backward
1 Range and still attack, or can move forward
or back 2 Ranges without attacking. A
combatant can jump forward 2 Ranges and
still attack with a Basic Move or a move with
the Mobile Keyword or jump 3 Ranges forward
or backward without attacking, but either of
these options costs 1 FS. If a combatant moves
only 1 Range but does not attack, he instead
receives a +1 on his defense total for the turn.
If a combatant can jump forward 2 Ranges to
attack with a Basic Attack and land exactly
at Range 0, and then chooses to spend an
additional 1 FS, the combatant can do a Cross-
Up attack. This earns an additional +1 to hit.
Knock Back from a successful hit is 1 Range
away from the attacker. Knock Back cannot
push an opponent to Range 5, however.
Knocking Back an opponent at Range 4 keeps
the opponent at Range 4.
The Environment
This Quickstart combat assumes that the
environment has no effect on combat; the
Fighters are fighting on a large, featureless
plain. If that doesn’t work for your group, you
can imagine that the combatants are fighting in
Combat Rules 13
>> Combat Quickstart
busy downtown Tokyo and describe the action
accordingly, but the environment still has no
mechanical effect on the combat.
The full rules contain rules for the environment,
including walls and ring outs, as well as hazards
such as traps, fires, and explosive floors.
Combos
Instead of a Basic Move or a Special Move, a
Fighter can launch a Combo. A Combo can
be as many hits long as the combatant wishes,
limited by his Control for the turn and his
Combo skill level.
The Control necessary for a Combo is equal
to the total of all the moves contained within
it. Thus, this equals 1 per Basic attack, or the
level of the move for each Special Move.
For example, a 5-hit Combo opening with a
L4 Special Move would require [4+(4x1)] =
Control 8.
A Combo can be composed of all Basic Moves,
a Special Move followed by Basic Moves, a
Special Move followed by Basic Moves and
ending with another Special Move, or three
Special Moves together with no Basic Moves
(this last option is thus always a 3-hit Combo).
Special Moves cannot be duplicated in a
Combo.
No matter how many moves make up the
Combo, the Combo is resolved as a single
attack. A Combo suffers a –1 penalty to
Accuracy for every full three moves in the
Combo. For example, a 2-hit Combo has no
penalty to Accuracy. A 3-, 4-, or 5-hit Combo
has a –1 penalty to Accuracy. If the Combo
ends with a Special Move or is made of all
14 Combat Rules
• •
Special Moves, there is an additional –1
penalty to Accuracy.
Damage for a Combo is based on the 1st move
in the Combo. If a Special Move is in the
middle or end of the Combo, damage is also
rolled for those moves, but they are reduced
to half damage (round down). Each additional
Basic Move in the Combo just adds one to the
final damage instead of a separate roll for each.
A Special Move that Knocks Down the
opponent cannot be used to begin a Combo,
unless it has the Juggle Element (see above).
Knock Back only occurs at the end of a Combo.
Defensive Options
The rules presume a combatant is trying to
block his opponent’s attacks. This is represented
by the Defense skill.
Instead, a combatant can try to Evade his
opponent’s attacks. This represents either
jumping or crouching to avoid being hit. In
this case, Evasion is used instead of Defense
to calculate the defender’s defense total. A
combatant who successfully Evades instead
of blocks may choose to move exactly 2
Ranges forward or backward. This costs 1 FS.
Alternately, he may instead receive a +2 to
Accuracy on his next attack (either on this turn
or the next, as appropriate).
A combatant may choose to both block
(Defense Skill) and Evade (Evasion Skill)
together. This allows the defender to add half
(round down) of the lower skill to the higher
skill. This costs 1 FS, but the defender cannot
move if the attack misses, and he does not
receive a +2 to Accuracy on his next attack.
 • • Combat Quickstart >>
This usually represents a crouching block in a easier chance to hit. If the defender has already
fighting game. A character can do this option acted, he can still use these responses, thereby
on Full Defense as well. The Full Defense making it possible to attack more than once in
bonus (+2) is added to the Defense Skill, and a turn. 
then the combined defense total is calculated
Even if the interrupting attack misses, the
as normal. Attacks that have a bonus to hit
original attack still misses. The successful
against Evading opponents (i.e., the Hard to
Tactics defense that allows the interrupting
Evade Element) can apply these bonuses to
attack to occur still counts as a successful
defenders choosing to combine these two
defense.
Skills in defense.
In each of the following cases, the interrupting
A character might also use a Defensive
attack needs to be in range to hit in order to
Response. In each of the following cases, the
use the defensive option. Furthermore, the
Tactics Skill is used for the defender’s defense
defender has to have rolled high enough
total. There are additional Defensive Responses
Control to use the move used in the Response.
in the core rules; the following are the ones
that apply to the Quickstart characters.
Anti-Air Response
Most of these Responses allow the defender
If the attacker jumped 2 Ranges before
to attack the attacker out of the normal turn
attacking with a Basic Move, or used a Special
sequence. In this case, the attacker (now
Move with the Aerial Element, and he ends his
temporarily the “defender”) may use Defense
movement at Range 0 or Range 1, a defender
as usual, but may not Evade or use any other
can interrupt with any move that has the Anti-
Defensive Response based on Tactics, and
Air Element. If the attacker misses, the defender
his Defense Skill is halved (round down).
temporarily becomes the attacker until the
Furthermore, the defender (now the temporary
Anti-Air attack is resolved. The attacker can
“attacker”) can use this opportunity to
only use Evasion against an Anti-Air Response
attack to launch a Combo, provided that the
though his Evasion Skill is considered halved
interrupting attack can be used as the opening
(round down) when calculating the Defense
of the Combo. This costs 2 FS and there is an
Total. Initiative then returns to normal.
additional –1 Combo penalty to Accuracy
beyond the normal penalties for attacking with
Basic Response
a Combo.
A defender can interrupt with a Basic Move. If
In every case of an interrupting attack, if
the attacker misses, the defender temporarily
the defender has not yet acted in this turn,
becomes the attacker until the attack is resolved.
the interrupting attack takes the place of the
Initiative then returns to normal. This Response
defender’s normal attack at his place in the
represents using a basic attack (usually a fast,
Initiative order. By using Tactics, a skilled
light attack) to interrupt a Special Move before
combatant can thus interrupt the normal
its starting animation has completed.
Initiative order and make attacks with an

Combat Rules 15
>> Combat Quickstart
Jinking Response
Instead of using the Evasion Skill to evade an
attack, the defender can use the Tactics Skill
instead. The Accuracy bonus from the Hard
to Evade Element applies to this attack, even
though Tactics is used for the Defense Total
rather than Evasion. If the attacker misses, the
defender must move away one Range. This
Defensive Response works only if moving 1
Range away will put the defender out of range
from the initial attack. This movement needs to
be away from the origin of the attack, though
not necessarily away from the attacker himself.
Priority Response
A defender can interrupt with any Special
Move that has the Priority Element. Unlike
other Defensive Responses, the defender
can only use half (round down) of his Tactics
Skill when determining his Defense Total. The
defender temporarily becomes the attacker
until the Priority Attack is resolved. Initiative
then returns to normal.
Reversal Response
If the defender does not have Initiative and is
attacked immediately after he has stood up
on the turn following being Knocked Down,
he can interrupt with any move that has the
Reversal Element. If the attacker misses, the
defender temporarily becomes the attacker
until the Reversal attack is resolved. However,
if the Reversal attack misses, the defender
suffers a two die size penalty on Initiative on
the following turn. Regardless of whether the
Reversal attack hits or misses, Initiative then
returns to normal for the current turn after it is
resolved.
16 Combat Rules
• •
Damage and Other
Effects of Being Hit
The damage of a Move is equal to the Move’s
base damage, modified by the attacker’s
Strength and the defender’s Stamina. This is
already calculated on the Quickstart character
sheets. The attacker’s Damage Bonus (if any) is
added to this. The number rolled is the amount
subtracted off the opponent’s Life Bar. When
Life Bar reaches 0, the character is Knocked
Out or otherwise defeated and out of the fight.
Knock Back
Any attack that does Damage does 1 Range of
Knock Back.
Knock Back does not occur during a Combo,
except for the last move of the Combo. In
other words, each attack in a Combo does not
individually cause Knock Back.
Knock Down
A Fighter is Knocked Down when hit by an
attack with the Knocks Down Element. When
a Fighter is Knocked Down, he must use his
action for the turn to stand up. Furthermore,
on the following turn, the fighter also reduces
his die size for Initiative by one.
If a fighter who has been Knocked Down has
already acted this turn, he must use his next
action on the following turn to do so. In this
case, there is no penalty to Initiative.
A character who has been Knocked Down
cannot be attacked until he stands up again.
There are ways to do this in the full rules, but
not in this Quickstart.
 • • Combat Quickstart
If a character Knocks Down his opponent, he
may choose to retreat 1 Range.
If a character is Knocked Down while holding
his action, he loses his held action and must
still use his next action to stand up.
If two combatants are Knocked Down
simultaneously, they each lose their next
actions.
Stunning
Every character has a Stun Threshold. This
number is equal to the character’s Power Level
+ 4. Thus, the Quickstart characters both have
Stun Thresholds of 7.
If a character takes damage greater than his
Stun Threshold in a single turn, he is Stunned.
When a fighter is Stunned, he loses his next
two actions. He must use his action for the
turn to recover, as well as his action on the
following turn. If he has already acted this
turn, he must use his next two actions on the
following two turns to recover. Being Stunned
is a major detriment to a Fighter!
Until the Stunned character can act, he cannot
contribute FS to his Defense Total, he cannot
Evade or use Tactics, and his Defense Skill
is considered to be half (round down). The
opponent can continue to attack the Stunned
character. However, the defender immediately
recovers from being Stunned after suffering
damage once and is also immune to being
Stunned until that attack is resolved, regardless
of how much damage he takes. In other words,
a character cannot be Stunned again while
he or she is already Stunned. However, if the
Stunned character “recovers” by being hit, the
>>
formerly Stunned character must reduce his die
size for Initiative by one on the following turn.
If a character is Stunned while holding his
action, he loses his held action and must still
use his next two actions to recover.
If a character is Knocked Down while he is
Stunned, he still stands up on his next action,
even if that action is also being used to recover
from being Stunned. His Initiative die is
reduced by one die.
If two combatants are Stunned simultaneously,
they each lose their next two actions. Roll the
Time Roll twice and move on.
If a combatant recovers from being Stunned
simultaneously with an attack, he gets his full
Defense skill, but can use no other defensive
responses and his Stun Threshold is considered
re-set to zero (meaning he can be Stunned
again).
Once a character has been Stunned once
during a combat, the character’s Stun Threshold
increases by 2 for the duration of the combat.
If the character should be Stunned again, the
Stun Threshold increases by another 2 (i.e., +4,
+6, etc.).
Combat Rules 17
>> Combat Quickstart
Other Actions in Combat
The following two options can be used in lieu
of an attack or movement during a turn.
Await Opening
This non-attack action can be done multiple
times in successive turns. On the turn following
one or more successful Await Opening actions,
each successful Await Opening action increases
the die size used for Initiative or Control (not
both, though multiple Await Openings can be
split between the two), up to the normal limit
of a d12. This allows a way to increase Control
and/or Initiative without the use of Fighting
Spirit. Each Await Opening action also allows
1 Range of backward movement at the same
time. However, any successful hit against the
combatant eliminates all benefit of Awaiting
Opening, no matter how many successive
turns it has been used.  the middle row, with the center space of the
Refocus
This non-attack action can only be done when
at Range 2 or greater from an opponent. The
Fighter re-gains Fighting Spirit equal to 1d4
+ 1. This cannot bring Fighting Spirit past the
character’s starting total. This action allows
1 Range of backward movement at the same
time.
When using either of these actions, a combatant
cannot use any defensive options besides
standard blocking (Defense Skill). Neither of
these actions can be done during simultaneous
initiative, unless both combatants wish to use
one of these actions.
18 Optional Rules: Battle Map
• •
Optional Rules:
Battle Map
Suppose you want to try out using a Battle
Map. Or maybe you want to try using Rei
Oshiro from the Example of Play and have
three Fighters in combat at once. Here are the
basic rules for using a Battle Map. Please note
that these are simplified here and may create a
situation not covered in these Quickstart rules
(but which is covered in the full rules). In such
cases, simply adjudicate it as seems best!
A Battle Map is a map with a 5x5 square grid
imposed on it. This system is useful if players
prefer a little more lateral movement between
Fighters or if multiple combatants are involved
and specific positioning is desired.
In a battle between two Fighters, they begin in
grid between the two characters. In the case
of multiple Fighters, the characters begin in
mutually agreed upon spaces. If possible, each
character should be two or more squares away
from any opposing character.
On this Battle Map, the Range between two
combatants is determined by counting the
shortest distance between two Fighters. Fighters
that are in the same space as one another are
at Range 0. Note that the starting positions in
the previous paragraph are thus at Range 2,
rather than the suggested start at Range 3. Any
number of Fighters may be in the same space
and Fighters can pass through one another.
With the Battle Map, there is technically no
Range 5. Keep in mind that a Fighter cannot be
Knocked Back to Range 5 and Ranged Special
Moves cannot hit an opponent at Range 5.
 • • Combat Quickstart
Characters do not move freely around the
Battle Map. Forward or backward movement
(whether by normal movement, jumping, or a
Mobile Special Move) moves the Fighter one
square for each Range moved and can be either
directly toward or away from an opponent or
diagonally toward or away from the opponent.
A Fighter can only move one square directly
lateral (i.e. to the Fighter’s right or left) if
he chooses to do this in lieu of taking any
other action in the turn. This movement gives
the Fighter +1 to all Defense Totals for the
remainder of the turn.
Knockback always occurs away from the
attacker in a straight line. Most of the time, this
can be done directly along the gridlines (either
in a straight line or diagonally). However,
if this is impossible, the attacker can choose
which direction the target moves, provided
it is away from the attacker and the defender
ends up further away than before the attack.
>>
considered Checked. The Checked opponent
cannot move towards or attack the combatant
on the other side of the intervening character
without first succeeding at a Maneuver Check
in place of movement. If the Maneuver Check
succeeds, the Checked condition is removed.
Conclusions 
Thank you for taking the time to try out the
2nd Edition of the game! I hope you have
enjoyed testing out the rules and I hope the
duels between Shine and Hideki (and maybe
Rei!) have been entertaining ones. Please feel
free to contact me at:
XX drkrash1969@yahoo.com
XX divinemadnesspress.wordpress.com
XX or on the Fight! Discord server

If the two combatants are at Range 0 and the I would love to hear from you!
attacker moved before attacking, the defender
is Knocked Back away from the direction of
the attacker’s movement. If the attacker didn’t
move this turn before attacking, the attacker
can choose the direction of the defender’s
Knockback.
If a combatant is in a space between two other
combatants, the intervening combatant can
attempt to block one of the others from moving
towards or attacking the combatant on the
other side. In this case, in place of movement,
the character makes a Maneuver Check
against the combatant he wishes to hinder. A
Maneuver Check is a contested Tactics Skill
check: 1d10+Tactics, high roll wins. If the
character succeeds, the desired opponent is

Conclusions  19
>> Combat Quickstart • •

Shine Holly
Power Level 3
Strength -1
Speed 2 (Initiative)
Stamina 0
Life Bar 50
Fighting Spirit 41
Bonuses: Damage +1, Defense +1
Qualities: Attractive, Mobility, Wealth
Mobility: Shine can move swiftly and with
greater control. Because of this, when she
moves 2 Ranges and then attacks with a Basic
Move or a move with the Mobile Element that
allows 2 Ranges of movement, she can choose Narrative Skills
to simply take a –1 penalty to Accuracy instead
of spending 1 FS. XX Agility 4

Weaknesses: Light XX Athletics 4

Light: Shine is much lighter than other XX Draw Ki 2

characters. As a result, attacks with the Juggle XX Fast Reflexes 2
Element do +2 damage against her, as it is
easier to keep them juggled in the air. XX High Society 4

Quirks: Reckless, Secret XX Presence 6

XX Property Damage 2
Combat Skills XX Realize Potential 2
XX Defense 3 XX Sense Ki 4
XX Evasion 3 XX Spirituality 2
XX Tactics 2 XX Thug Thrashing 2
XX Ki 3 XX Wealth 3
XX Combo 3 XX Zen State 2

20 Shine Holly
 • • Combat Quickstart >>
Special Moves Scarlet Strike (L3)
Accuracy: +0
Crimson Sky (L3)
Damage: 1d4
Accuracy: +0
Elements: Fast Recovery (Initiative), Increased
Damage: 1d6 Knockback, Priority, Reversal
Elements: Aerial, Increased Damage (2), Mobile Keywords: Defensive Response, On-Hit
Keywords: Bonus, Mobile Shine twirls around rapidly and strikes with
Shine leaps gracefully in the air, arches her three spinning backhand strikes, red sparks
back as if she were going to dive into the flying off of her as she spins.
water, and comes down on her opponent with
a glowing red fist. Rose Beam (L4)
Accuracy: +0 (+1 vs. Evasion)
Ruby Flash (L3)
Damage: 1d6
Accuracy: +1
Elements: Hard to Evade, Increased Damage
Damage: 1d4 (minimum 2) (2), Ranged (2)
Elements: Increased Accuracy (3), Increased Keywords: Long Range
Damage
Shine spins her arms around in a whacking
Keywords: none motion before releasing a beam of red light
Shine steps forward with blinding quickness. towards her opponent.
There is a sudden bright red flash that obscures
vision and she strikes her opponent with a Crimson Tempest (L5 Super)
driving thrust punch. Accuracy: +0
Damage: 1d10
Elements: Aerial, Breakthrough (2), Increased
Damage (4), Invincibility (2), Mobile
Keywords: Bonus, Mobile
This is a super version of Shine’s Crimson Sky
move.

Shine Holly 21
>> Combat Quickstart • •

Hideki Douglas
Power Level 3
Strength 1
Speed 1 (Control)
Stamina 0
Life Bar 50
Fighting Spirit 40
Bonuses: Accuracy +1, Control +1
Qualities: Attractive, Driven, Intelligent,
Reputation
Weaknesses: Honorable
Honorable: Hideki abides by a simple, specific
form of code related to his general way of life
and how he treats others. In combat, he will Narrative Skills
not strike an opponent who has been Stunned XX Athletics 2
or Knocked Down.
XX Climactic Super Move 4
Quirks: Disgraced, In Love
XX Danger Sense 4
XX Deduction 2
Combat Skills
XX Grim Determination 6
XX Defense 3
XX Meditation 2
XX Evasion 3
XX Perception 3
XX Tactics 2
XX Reaffirm Purpose 8
XX Combo 5
XX The Fighting World 2
XX Thug Thrashing 2

22 Hideki Douglas
 • • Combat Quickstart >>
Special Moves Tempest Breaker (L4)
Accuracy: +1
Final Blade (L4)
Damage: 1d8
Accuracy: +0
Elements: Increased Accuracy (3), Knocks
Damage: 1d12 Down (2)
Elements: Increased Damage (4), Reach Keywords: Knocks Down
Keywords: Reach Range Hideki hops backward, lunges with a feint
Hideki braces himself and flicks his wrist, and then launches a snap kick with lightning
generating a hard to see blade of ki force in speed.
the air that cuts his foe.
Ultimate Blade (L6 Super)
Cloudseeker Strike (L3) Accuracy: +0
Accuracy: +0 Damage: 1d12+2
Damage: 1d8 Elements: Breakthrough (3), Fast Recovery
Elements: Anti-Air, Juggle, Knocks Down (2) (Control), Increased Damage (4), Invincibility
(3), Reach
Keywords: Defensive Response, Knocks Down
Keywords: On-Hit, Reach Range
Hideki lunges forward while drawing back a
punch, blue energy coalescing around his fist. This is a Super version of Hideki’s Final Blade.
Then he thrusts the punch forward, driving his
opponent high in the air.

Blue Sky Wind (L3)

Accuracy: +0
Damage: 1d10
Elements: Easy to Combo, Increased Damage
(2), Mobile
Keywords: Mobile
Hideki launches a series of whirling kicks as
he floats towards his opponent on blue lines
of ki force.

Hideki Douglas 23