Engagement Bands
Place combatants in relative positioning bands, then resolve movement and targeting by the distance between them.
The Three Engagement Bands
Use three relative bands instead of measuring exact distances. A combatant's band answers whether an enemy is in melee, one step away, or far from the main engagement.
Front Line
Where martial combatants clash. Enemies here are in direct melee range of each other.
Back Row
One step back from the melee. Ideal for archers, spellcasters, and commanders. Reaching or targeting the Back Row from the enemy Front Line requires passing or bypassing the Front Line first.
The Outskirts
Snipers, fleeing targets, or reinforcements arriving to the battle. Completely out of melee threat; requires dedicated movement actions to reach the main engagement.
Movement Between Bands
Move freely inside your current band. Crossing into an adjacent band costs movement; leaving an engaged Front Line has a clear risk.
Within a Band
Free positioning inside your current band (e.g., shifting along the Front Line or taking cover in the Back Row).
Shift One Band
Costs 1 Movement Action to move between adjacent bands (Front Line ↔ Back Row, or Back Row ↔ Outskirts).
Disengaging
Moving from the Front Line to the Back Row while actively engaged by an enemy triggers an Opportunity Attack unless a Disengage action or feature is used.
Ranged & Melee Targeting
Targeting follows the relationship between your band and the target's band. Melee stays in the Front Line; ranged attacks reach across one or two bands according to their range.
Melee Attacks
Target must be in the same band (Front Line).
Short / Near Range
Targets in your band or an adjacent band (Back Row targeting Front Line, or vice versa).
Long / Far Range
Targets two bands away (Front Line to The Outskirts, or Outskirts to Front Line).