In combat, when a character makes an attack action, dice rolls are used to determine whether the attack hits the target or misses.
The attacker makes a dice roll (known as the attack dice roll) using the relevant weapon skill (based on the weapon used) + CO, with a weapon attack bonus (based on the weapon used).
The attacker gains a +1/2 bonus on the attack dice roll if he/she attacks using Advance and attack rather than a Stand and attack, and a +2 bonus if he/she is striking the defender from a rear hex (after any reaction the defender chooses to make). If the attacker aims at a location other than the defender's Chest, there will be a penalty on the attack dice roll.
The defender also makes a dice roll, known as the defence dice roll. The skill and modifiers that apply depend on the reaction (if any) the defender has declared in response to the attack as follows:
| Defender's reaction to the attack | Defender's dice roll uses |
| None | Combat (no specialism bonuses) + CO |
| Block | Relevant weapon skill (based on weapon used to block, + relevant block/parry specialism bonuses) + CO + weapon parry bonus (based on weapon used to block the attack) |
| Jump back dodge | Combat (+ relevant dodge specialism bonuses) + CO + 3 (additional bonus for jump back dodge) |
| Side-step dodge | Combat (+ relevant dodge specialism bonuses) + CO + 2 (additional bonus for side-step dodge) |
| Parry | Relevant weapon skill (based on weapon used to parry, + relevant block/parry specialism bonuses) + CO + weapon parry bonus (based on weapon used to block the attack) +3 (additional bonus for parry) |
| Rolling dodge | Martial arts (+ relevant dodge specialism bonuses) + CO (with modifier for encumbrance doubled) +2 (additional bonus for rolling dodge) |
| Drop dodge | Martial arts (+ relevant dodge specialism bonuses) + CO (with modifier for encumbrance doubled) + additional bonus of between +0 and +4 depending on the type of attack being dodged |
| Forearm block | Martial arts (+ relevant block specialism bonuses) + CO (with modifier for encumbrance doubled) + 'weapon' parry bonus of between +2 and -2 depending on the type of attack being blocked |
The defender may also gain a bonus on his/her defence dice roll if he/she has a deflection enchantment.
If the attacker's attack dice roll result is greater than or equal to the defender's defence dice roll result, the attack hits. The better the strike (i.e. the greater the difference between the attacker's attack dice roll result and the defender's defence dice roll result), the more damage will be done by the blow. If the defender's defence dice roll result is greater than the attacker's attack dice roll result, the attack misses, is deflected or blocked (as the case may be).
The attacker's dice roll is carried out before the defender's. Hence, the defender only has to risk on his/her dice roll if the attacker's dice roll result is greater than the defender's basic value.
If the attack hits, the next stage is to work out the consequences on the defender of the attack hitting. As stated earlier, the better a strike lands, the more damage it is likely to do - there is a bonus on the damage dice roll of +1/2 per point by which the attacker's attack dice roll result exceeded the defender's defence dice roll result.
For example, Cogan advances and attacks Urlick, who steps back parrying. Cogan is using a hand-&-half sword. He has a Melee skill score of 6 1/2, with a total of +3 1/2 bonuses applicable to the hand-&-half. He has a CO score of +1/2 and he gets a +1/2 bonus for advancing and attacking and a +4 weapon attack bonus. Cogan, therefore, has a basic value of 15; he chooses to risk all fifteen points, giving him a dice roll of 5D. He rolls a 4, 4, 4, 2 and 2, making a dice roll result of 16. Urlick uses his medium shield to parry the attack. His Shield score is 4 with a +4 specialism in parrying with a medium shield. His CO is +0, and he gets a +3 bonus for parrying and a +4 weapon parry bonus. Urlick, therefore, has a basic value of 15 - he cannot guarantee to parry Cogan's blow. He chooses to roll 4D+3 and rolls a 5,4,3 and 2, giving him a dice roll result of 17, just enough. Urlick narrowly deflects Cogan's attack and the fight continues.
A character's ability to attack, block/parry and dodge are affected if he/she is mounted.