Phase 1 Character action or Phase 3 combat?
A Character spends normal actions in Phase 1. NPC movement belongs to Phase 2; eligible melee and NPC Shoot actions resolve in Phase 3.
POTHAM CHRONICLES · 2038
Complete Combat Flowchart
Follow a Character's ranged attack in Phase 1 or an unresolved engagement in Phase 3. NPC movement and the Event occur between those phases. The same Core attack and Defense procedure governs both sides.
Character choiceAI-Bot actionShared resolution
Phase 1 · Character Shoot
Choose an equipped weapon and eligible target
Spend the Shoot action; check ammunition, range, and Line of Sight. The Character may Aim earlier during its activation. Entering enemy base contact ends its activation except where an explicit rule permits otherwise, such as Distracted.
Determine the actual target first
Roll the Black Die. On Success, attack the intended target; on Blank, attack the eligible model in that melee with the highest current Health. Player chooses ties.
Character Shoot vs target Defense
Apply weapon, attachment, Cover, and other applicable rules. The target Defends as a free action.
Phase 3 · Engagement and AI-Bot Shoot
Choose one unresolved engagement
If any melee occurs anywhere this phase, increase Danger by 1 once. Resolve each pairing under the Core procedure. The AI-Bot's action follows its Primary Directive and eligible Action Family.
Who attacks?
Use an applicable Special Rule first; otherwise the higher current total points, including stats and equipment, attacks. On an NPC–Character tie, the NPC attacks.
Attack or Defend
If the Character attacks, it rolls Melee and the AI-Bot Defends. If the AI-Bot attacks, the Character Defends for free, or uses an explicitly permitted counter-attack such as Best Defense Is a Good Offense, spending its required available action. A counter-attack rolls Melee on both sides.
Both routes use the same Core roll comparison
Does Attack exceed Defense?
A winning attack deals the difference in Hits. Any number of Criticals on the successful side adds +1 total damage unless a rule explicitly changes it. In a permitted counter-attack, compare both Melee totals under its rule.
Apply the Core outcome
For a melee tie, push the defender back; if both sides attacked, push the lower-point model, or the player Character when points tie. No normal combat damage on the tie. Otherwise apply damage, Push Back, and any applicable 2038 Special Rules. Continue unresolved engagements until their required opponents resolve or separate.
AFTER MELEE · ELIGIBLE NPC RANGED ATTACKS
Check remaining eligible AI-Bots with Shoot
An AI-Bot not in base contact can Shoot a target in Line of Sight when its action is available. It may shoot into another melee using the Core target check. Spend its normal action unless an explicit rule makes it free; obey the one-action-per-family rule.
Apply the same attack and Defense procedure
Build the Shoot pool and each target's Defense pool, including Cover and other modifiers. Resolve actual target, Hits, Criticals, damage, and applicable effects. After an attacking Shoot Critical, check Out of Ammo under Core rules even if the attack failed.
Resolve eligible fallback actions
Use remaining actions in a different family where legal. If no legal or logical unused family remains, the stated 50% Walk fallback Maneuver is available. Movement and combat still belong to their respective phases; nonmovement, noncombat actions retain flexible legal timing.