Combat system

The Combat system of That Which Sleeps represents flash points in the Old Ones' conflict where meddlesome Heroes get in the way of Agents or the awakened Old One itself. The core mechanics are:


 * Attacks deal damage first to Shields if available, then to Health. There are multiple types of Attack and Shield, which convert at different rates.
 * Mundane shields block mundane damage at 1:1, or Arcane damage at 2:1.
 * Arcane shields block Arcane damage but not Mundane.
 * Ancient damage cannot be blocked.
 * Lost Shields regenerate at the start of every turn, unless special abilities or similar interfere.
 * Some Heroes can Defend comrades; no attacks can be targeted at a Defended hero although spells can.
 * Heroes who lose Health in a turn are Distracted; they will not attack that turn and cannot Defend another.
 * Agents cannot immediately exit a combat; at turn 2 they may Flee, abandoning their Minions to die. After turn 3 they may make an orderly Retreat, and retain any surviving Minions. Certain modifiers (including Hero abilities) may increase these timers.