Unearthed Arcana: When Armies

Clash
The D&D combat rules in the Player’s Handbook
are designed to model conflict between small
Miniatures and Scale
groups—an adventuring party of perhaps three For ease of play, clarity, and speed of combat
to six characters against monster groups that resolution, these rules assume the use of
rarely exceed a dozen creatures. Combat on this miniatures and a grid, just as you might use for
scale keeps the focus squarely on the small-scale combat. However, time and distance
adventurers. work a bit differently under these rules.
In some D&D campaigns, though, the story Time. Each round of combat represents 1
might hinge on battles involving dozens or minute.
hundreds of monsters and warriors. The rules Distance. A single square measures 20 feet on
presented here build on the standard combat each side.
rules to model conflict on a much larger scale, Diagonals. Diagonally contiguous squares
while still enabling individual adventurers to (those that touch only at a corner) are not
lead an army’s charge against an enemy considered adjacent; each is 1 square away from
regiment, rally dispirited soldiers to rejoin the the other. Stands and solos cannot move
fray, or defeat powerful enemy monsters or diagonally. When determining the distance
leaders. between one square and another, do not count
In most cases, when two armies oppose one squares diagonally.
another, the DM serves as the general for one
side, and one or more players serve as generals
for the opposing force. These leaders direct the
Stands
soldiers that make up their armies, and everyone A stand consists of ten identical creatures that
at the table might also represent individual move and fight as a single entity. Only creatures
champions (such as the player characters and of Huge size or smaller can be formed into
important NPCs) who are capable of turning the stands. Gargantuan creatures always fight as
tide of battle all by themselves. individuals; see “Solos” later in this section.
Space. A stand of creatures occupies the same
The Combatants space on a 20-foot grid that a single creature
would occupy on a 5-foot grid.
In these rules, the elements of an army are
stands, each of which represents ten creatures Creature Size Space
of the same kind, and solos, which are powerful Medium or smaller 1 square
individuals that can act alone or join an allied Large 2 × 2 squares
stand. A stand behaves much like a single Huge 3 × 3 squares
creature in the standard combat rules, with its
own hit points, saving throws, and attacks. Statistics. A stand uses the statistics and
Stands and solos on each side are grouped into special abilities of the creatures within the stand,
units of dozens or even hundreds of creatures. A such as Armor Class, hit points, attack and
unit generally moves and attacks as a single damage capabilities, and so on.
entity, with all of its members using the same Speed. The speed of a stand is measured in
strategy and tactics every round. squares, and is equal to the speed of an
individual creature divided by 5. For example, a

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stand of hobgoblins (individual speed 30 feet) adept at delivering powerful attacks and holding
has a speed of 6 squares. key points on the battlefield.
Configuration. A regiment unit begins a battle
Units in one of three configurations, as chosen by its
general, and it can switch between these
A unit is a group of stands organized into a single, configurations during the fight. See the
cohesive group that fights and acts as one. A unit “Configure” section below.
can contain stands of different kinds of creatures, A regiment unit has the following
such as orcs and ogres. A unit can have any characteristics:
number of stands.
Stands can be organized into units of two • A regiment unit uses the lowest Dexterity
different types: skirmishers and regiments. In modifier from among its component stands to
general, skirmishers have lighter armor and determine initiative.
focus on scouting, while regiments focus on • The unit can take the Configure action (see
attacking or defending a point on the battlefield. “Battle Actions” below).
A unit’s type is designated before the battle • An allied stand cannot move into or through
begins and cannot be changed once the fight is in the space of a stand in a regiment unit.
progress. • An allied solo can move into the space of a
Skirmishers. Skirmisher units are loosely stand of a regiment unit only if it uses its
organized. They excel at moving quickly, making action to join that stand.
hit-and-run attacks, and scouting ahead of the • To keep from becoming isolated (see “Unit
main army. Integrity” below), each stand in a regiment
A skirmisher unit has the following unit must be adjacent to at least one other
characteristics: stand in that unit at the end of a turn.

• All stands in the unit have advantage on

Dexterity saving throws.
Solos
• A skirmisher unit uses the highest Dexterity A solo is a significant creature on the
modifier from among its component stands to battlefield—usually a player character or a
determine initiative. powerful NPC or monster.
• The unit can take the Hide action (see “Battle A solo has the following characteristics:
Actions” below).
• An allied stand can move through the space of • A solo can be unattached, moving and acting
a stand of skirmishers but can’t end its turn in on its own on the battlefield, or it can attach
that location. itself to a stand and a unit by taking the Join
• An allied solo can move through the space of a action (see “Battle Actions” below).
stand of skirmishers but can’t end its turn in • An unattached solo can move through the
that location unless it uses its action to join space of an allied stand of skirmishers, but it
that stand. can’t end its turn in that location unless it uses
• A skirmisher stand can use part of its move, its action on the same turn to join that stand.
take an action, and then complete its move. • An unattached solo can move into the space of
• To keep from becoming isolated (see “Unit an allied stand of a regiment unit only if it uses
Integrity” below), each stand within a its action on the same turn to join that stand.
skirmisher unit must be no more than 1 square • A solo that has joined a stand can be, and often
away from another stand in that unit at the is, a commander. (See the next section.)
end of a turn. • A solo occupies the same space on the
battlefield as a stand made up of creatures of
Regiments. Regiment units move in strict its size. (A Gargantuan solo has a space of 4 × 4
ranks, creating a tight formation. Although they squares.)
are slower than skirmisher units, regiments are

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• To keep from becoming isolated (see “Unit become isolated from their allies are in danger of
Integrity” below), an unattached solo must be being overwhelmed by their enemies.
no more than 1 square away from any allied An isolated stand or solo has disadvantage on
stand at the end of a turn. attack rolls until it is no longer isolated.
When an isolated stand or solo is attacked, the
Commanders attacker has advantage on its attack roll. If the
attack hits, it deals double damage.
Commanders play a key role in shaping a battle. Regiment. A stand in a regiment unit is
Any player character can serve as a commander, isolated if it is not adjacent to another stand in
as can NPCs that the DM designates. its unit.
Commanders are always solos, and a solo must Skirmisher. A stand in a skirmisher unit is
be joined to a stand to act as a unit’s commander. isolated if it is more than 1 square away from
A unit can have only one commander; before a another stand in its unit.
new commander can take over, the current one Solo. An unattached solo is isolated if it is more
must vacate the post. than 1 square away from any allied stand
A solo can use a bonus action to become regardless of that stand’s unit.
commander of a unit if it is joined to one of the
unit’s stands. It can use another bonus action to Terrain
cease acting as a commander. It also no longer
serves as commander if it cannot take actions. Terrain is a key part of most large-scale
As a bonus action, a commander can apply one combats—important enough to be considered a
of the following benefits to all the stands in its combatant by itself, whether allied with or
unit. working against the soldiers on the field.
Each square on the battlefield can have the
Prepare following terrain traits. A square might also be
A commander can order its unit to be more wary difficult terrain, and some types of terrain are
by making a DC 15 Charisma (Intimidation or always difficult, as noted in their entries. The DM
Persuasion) check. If it succeeds, the unit gains should mark squares of difficult terrain.
advantage on all saving throws until the end of Clear. Clear terrain offers no special benefits
the commander’s next turn. or hindrances. Clear squares filled with rubble or
broken ground are difficult terrain.
Incite Road. If the last square of a stand’s movement
A commander can try to inspire the soldiers of takes it into a road square, the stand can move 1
its unit to greater effort by making a DC 15 more square regardless of its remaining speed.
Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion) check. If Road squares are never difficult terrain unless
it succeeds, the unit gains advantage on all attack they are successfully targeted with the
rolls it makes on its next turn. Destruction objective (see “Creating Objectives”
below).
Rally Forest. A stand in a forest square gains half
cover against all attacks. Forest is always
A commander can reverse the effects of a failed
difficult terrain.
morale check by rallying troops so that they are
Water. Water squares are either deep or
willing to resume fighting. See “Check Morale”
shallow water. Shallow water is difficult terrain.
below.
Only a stand made up of creatures that have a
swimming speed, or a solo that has a swimming
Unit Integrity speed, can enter deep water.
High Ground. Any terrain other than water
If the components of a unit become too widely
can also have this additional trait. An area of
separated during a battle, stands and solos that
high ground is given a number that represents
its relative height (in multiples of 20 feet)

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compared to nearby squares of a lower elevation.
A stand or solo on high ground has advantage on
Initiative
melee attack rolls made against targets that are Each unit rolls for initiative using the highest or
at a lower elevation. lowest Dexterity modifier among its stands
Moving into higher ground costs 1 square of (depending on whether the unit is a skirmisher
movement for each 20 feet of difference in or a regiment). This includes solos that are
elevation between the stand or solo’s current attached to a unit at the start of the turn (see
location and its destination square. “Join” below).
If the higher ground is also difficult terrain, the The DM might also rule that some units or
cost of entering it is doubled. unattached solos are surprised, based on the
situation at the start of the battle.
Combat Procedure
The combat procedure in a mass battle is very Movement
similar to that outlined in the standard rules,
On a unit’s turn, each stand in the unit can move
except that the activity in a round is
a number of squares according to its speed,
simultaneous rather than sequential. Other
following the rules for the unit type. A unit of
differences are outlined in this section. Also,
skirmishers can use part of its move, take an
units in a mass battle have access to the new
action, and then complete its move.
action types described below.
Adjacent to Other Stands. There are no
opportunity attacks in these rules. Instead, a
Setting up the Fight stand cannot move once it becomes adjacent to
an enemy stand, unless its unit takes the Retreat
Naturally, before the action can start, the
action. This restriction does not prevent other
opposing armies must be positioned on the
stands in the unit from moving normally—only
battlefield. Before and during this activity, a few
those stands that are adjacent to enemy stands.
determinations need to be made:
Fleeing the Field. If a stand willingly or
• Stands must be organized into units, and those unwillingly moves off the area covered by the
units designated as skirmishers or regiments. grid, it is considered to have fled the battlefield
• Each regiment must begin in one of three and is eliminated.
configurations (see the “Configure” section
below). Battle Actions
• Each solo must begin either as unattached or
joined to a stand. A solo that is joined to a One round of combat in these rules represents
stand is considered to have taken the Join the aggregate results of 1 minute of fighting.
action before combat starts, so that it can take On a unit’s turn, choose one action for the unit.
another action on its first turn. Each stand in the unit individually takes that
action or takes no action. Except when otherwise
• A solo that is joined to a stand is eligible to be
noted (see “Cast a Spell” below), stands in the
designated as a commander.
same unit can’t take different actions.
A bit of bookkeeping on the side is also
recommended. Make a list of which stands Attack
belong to which units, so that you can tell when a Attacks between units work the same as in the
stand becomes isolated or when a unit might standard combat rules, except as described here.
become broken (see “Check Morale” below). A unit that takes the Attack action fights one or
After all these tasks are taken care of, it’s time more other units, with each stand attacking
to start the fight. individually. Each stand in a unit directs its
attack against another target stand. A stand
attacks just like its component creatures. For

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instance, if a creature has the Multiattack ability, Targeted Spells. If a spell requires a target, a
a stand composed of those creatures has that stand of casters can target another stand within
ability as well. Different stands can choose range. A spell that targets multiple creatures can
different forms of attack, according to their affect one stand or unattached solo per creature
capabilities. For instance, one stand of orcs can it can target.
make a melee attack with greataxes, while For spells requiring an attack roll by a stand
another stand of orcs in the same unit makes against an isolated solo, the stand has advantage
ranged attacks with javelins. on the attack roll and the spell deals double
For monster abilities that create a distance damage. If the spell allows a saving throw, the
effect measured in feet, convert that distance to solo has disadvantage on the saving throw and
squares by dividing by 5, using the same rules takes double damage if the saving throw fails.
for calculating the speed of a stand. For example, A solo can cast a targeted spell against another
a minotaur’s charge allows it to push a target up solo, following the normal rules for the spell.
to 10 feet. A stand of minotaurs would thus be Such a spell is effective against a stand only if the
able to push an enemy stand 2 squares. spell normally targets five or more creatures.
Roll the stand’s attack and damage as in the Areas of Effect. A spell that covers an area
standard combat rules, applying damage against affects all the stands in its area. If the area does
the target stand’s hit points. not include all of the squares a stand occupies,
Melee Attacks. A stand that makes a melee the spell either deals half damage to that stand
attack must be able to target a stand or a solo in (if it deals damage) or has no effect.
an adjacent square. If a stand casts such a spell, assume all the
Reach. A stand that has a reach of 10 feet or casters use the same area of effect. Targets make
greater with its melee attack makes a bonus saving throws as normal but take double damage
attack as part of its Attack action. This benefit from the spell. Solos cast area spells as normal
represents the stand’s ability to bring more of its against solos or stands within the area.
members to bear when making an attack. If an area spell has a range of “Self,” its point of
Ranged Attacks. Determine range as normal origin is the midpoint of one of the sides of the
(and remember that each square is 20 feet on a caster’s space. If the spell has any other range,
side). If the range of an attack extends at least 10 the distance to its point of origin is measured
feet into a square, the attack affects that square starting at the midpoint of one of the sides of the
in its entirety. Similarly, even if an attack’s range caster’s space.
is less than 20 feet, the attack can still target a Cone. The length of a cone on the battlefield is
stand or a solo in an adjacent square. 1 square for every 20 feet. Each square of the
area beyond the first one must be adjacent to the
Cast a Spell square that is closer to the point of origin. A cone
Determining the effect of a spell in these rules is wider the farther it extends from the point of
depends on whether the spell requires targets or origin. The cone’s width at any place along its
covers an area of effect, and whether a stand or a length equals the number of squares between
solo casts it. that square and the point of origin. Add squares
If a unit has some stands that can cast spells of length as evenly as possible to both sides of
and others that cannot, the stands that cannot the cone.
cast spells can instead take any action they are Cube, Cylinder, Sphere. The size of a cube or
normally allowed to choose. the radius of a cylinder or a sphere on the
Range. Determine the range of a spell the battlefield is 1 square for every 20 feet. Any
same as for a ranged attack with a weapon (see square in the area beyond the one that contains
above). If the range of a spell extends at least 10 the point of origin must be within 1 square of the
feet into a square, the attack affects that square origin square. If the area extends beyond those
in its entirety. Similarly, even if a spell’s range is squares, each additional square must be within 2
less than 20 feet, the spell can still target a stand squares of the origin square.
or a solo in an adjacent square.

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 Line. The length of a line on the battlefield is 1 Taking this action follows the standard combat
square for every 20 feet. Each square of the area rules. Make a Dexterity (Stealth) check for each
beyond the first one must be adjacent to the stand in a unit that attempts to hide. Conditions
square that is closer to the point of origin. such as obscuring terrain and lack of
illumination might mean that some stands in a
Configure unit can attempt to hide while others can’t.
(Regiments only) A stand that cannot hide (or that chooses not
A regiment begins the battle in one of the to make the attempt) cannot take any other
following configurations. It remains in the action during the unit’s current turn.
chosen configuration until it takes this action
again. Join
Aid. When a unit in the aid configuration uses (Solos only)
the Attack action to make a melee attack, Joining a stand grants a measure of protection to
individual stands in the unit can forgo their a solo creature, so that it does not risk taking the
attacks to support the melee attacks of other penalties for becoming isolated.
stands. A stand that does so grants advantage on To take the Join action, a solo must first move
melee attack rolls made by an adjacent stand in into the space of an allied stand. Its move ceases
its unit. A stand can grant advantage in this at that point. Then, with its action on that turn,
manner even if it has no legal target for an attack the solo takes the Join action and becomes part
of its own (representing soldiers pushing of the stand.
forward to replace casualties, covering an A solo cannot join a stand if the solo is more
exposed flank against a counterattack, or than one size category larger than the stand.
distracting the enemy with ranged fire). Within that limitation, any number of solos can
A unit in the aid configuration moves at half join a stand.
speed (rounding down if necessary) to reflect Remove the solo from the battlefield and mark
the fact that some of its members are moving the stand in some way to note that the solo is
around within the ranks instead of pressing part of it.
forward. When a solo is joined with a stand, it is
Defend. When a unit is in the defend considered part of that stand for the purpose of
configuration, all stands in the regiment gain a being targeted by a spell, though it continues to
+2 bonus to AC. The unit can’t use the Attack use its own AC and saving throws against the
action while it remains in this configuration. spell.
A unit in the defend configuration moves at When the stand moves, the solo automatically
half speed (rounding down if necessary) to moves with it. On its turn, the solo takes its
reflect the fact that its members are focusing on action as normal but does not take its own move.
protecting themselves instead of pressing In place of its move, it can either leave the stand
forward. (entering an empty adjacent space) or
March. A regiment in the march configuration immediately join another adjacent stand in its
moves at its full speed. unit.
If the stand is eliminated (see “Eliminate
Dash Casualties” below), any solos that were joined
A unit that takes the Dash action gains a bonus to with the stand remain in play. A newly
its speed equal to its normal speed. unattached solo can immediately join an
A regiment that is configured to aid or defend adjacent stand in its unit or remain unattached
and takes the Dash action can move at its full and occupy one or more of the squares the stand
speed (not half speed) on that turn. formerly occupied.

Hide
(Skirmishers and solos only)

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Retreat Check Morale
Any stand in a unit that takes this action can Few soldiers want to die. After a unit suffers
move even if it begins its turn adjacent to an significant losses, the survivors might lose their
enemy stand or becomes adjacent to an enemy nerve for battle. Rather than stay and fight, the
stand during movement. rest of the unit tries to run away.
If any surviving unit has lost more than half
Damage the stands it started with, the unit must
immediately check morale. A morale check is a
Apply damage to a stand’s hit points as though it DC 10 Wisdom saving throw, using the highest
were an individual creature. If a stand takes Wisdom modifier from among the unit’s
damage in excess of its current hit points, apply component stands (including any solos that are
the excess damage to an adjacent identical stand joined with surviving stands in the unit).
in its unit, if there is one. On a failed morale check, the unit becomes
Because the action in a round is considered to broken. For the rest of the battle, a broken unit
be simultaneous, a stand is not immediately can take only the Retreat action. The DM
destroyed when it is reduced to 0 hit points. The determines where the unit moves, but it must
stand becomes a casualty but remains in play seek a safe path away from enemy units.
until the end of the round, taking actions A solo, whether joined with a stand or
(including attacks) and moving as normal if it unattached, is never broken. It can decide to
had not already taken its turn in the current move with a broken unit or immediately leave
round. Treat the stand as if it had 1 hit point the unit at the start of any of its turns.
remaining. You can push the stand’s miniature Rally. If a broken unit has a commander, the
onto its side or otherwise mark it to represent unit has a chance to rally at the start of its turn.
that it is a casualty. The unit makes another DC 10 Wisdom saving
throw, with a bonus equal to the commander’s
End of Round Charisma modifier. If the save succeeds, the unit
is no longer broken. It takes its turn as normal.
Unlike the standard D&D combat rules, these
rules require you to take a few specific steps at
the end of each combat round.
Objectives and Victory
Once everyone involved in a battle has taken a
turn, you must first assess casualties and then
Points
check morale before everyone gets to take A battle rarely lasts until one army massacres
another turn. the other. Once one side has achieved its goals,
its opponent usually concedes the field, knowing
Eliminate Casualties that further combat is fruitless. The rules in this
At the end of the round, all casualties are section are designed to help the DM integrate a
eliminated (removed from the battlefield). mass battle into the campaign by giving each
When a stand is eliminated, the person army an appropriate goal, and to provide a way
controlling its unit has the option of immediately of figuring out who wins.
moving an adjacent allied stand into the vacated Objectives define why two armies clash and
space. (Troops can move over to hold the line, the victory conditions for the battle. Just like the
but they create another opening elsewhere in encounter objectives described in chapter 3 of
doing so.) the Dungeon Master’s Guide, a battle’s objective
Eliminating a Solo. Solos use all of the roots it in the story by grounding it in the past,
standard combat rules for damage, death, and giving it a purpose, and making its outcome
dying (in the case of player characters). A dying significant.
solo makes up to ten death saves at the end of While objectives provide the goals for a battle,
the round, one at a time, to determine its fate. victory points (VP) allow you to measure
success. An army earns victory points for

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achieving its objectives. An army wins a battle Custom Objectives. To create a unique
when it scores 10 or more victory points. objective, simply assign a VP value, generally
from 1 to 5, to a specific action or condition that
Creating Objectives an army must fulfill to achieve its goal.
A unique objective might involve killing or
Objectives represent the basic goals of an army. disabling a commander, forcing an opposing
Two opposing forces might have the same army into a specific confined area, or occupying
objective (capture a bridge) or conflicting ones and holding a particular location.
(destroy the bridge or save it). In some cases,
two armies might pursue unrelated objectives Assigning Objectives Evenly
(rescue a captured commander or defend a Once you have established objectives for the
stronghold). battle, check to ensure that both armies have the
When setting up a battle, consider the opportunity to score roughly equal numbers of
following ways to define objectives. victory points. It’s okay if there is a slight
Attrition. One side simply seeks to wear down disparity (not all battles are fair), but keep in
the other. For each enemy unit eliminated, the mind that the army with more ways to score
army with this objective earns a number of victory points has a much better chance of
victory points, as determined by the DM and emerging the overall victor. If you want to
based on the number of units in the battle. ensure an even match, try to give both sides an
Destruction. An army seeks to deny the enemy equal number of opportunities.
a valuable resource, such as by destroying a In a battle where each army has a single
bridge over a river or laying waste to crops that specific objective, this job is easy. For example,
could otherwise sustain an invading force. destroying a bridge is worth 10 VP, while
If this objective is in play, the DM chooses a keeping it from being destroyed is worth 10 VP.
number of squares on the battlefield that In a more fluid situation with multiple
represent the valuable resource and assigns each objectives in play, give each side at least five
square a hit point value from 10 to 100. A stand opportunities to score victory points, and assign
or a solo can attack an objective square the same VP values that add up to more than 10 per side
way it attacks an enemy. A square is (say, 12 to 15). Spreading out the objectives and
automatically hit by any melee attacks against it their rewards in this way gives commanders a
and automatically fails all saving throws. The few options for victory and keeps battles flexible.
square takes damage from spells whose area of
effect completely covers it. Targeted spells cast
by stands can damage a square, but not those
Ending a Battle
cast by solos. A battle ends when one side has amassed at least
An army with this objective scores victory 10 VP at the end of a round. At that time,
points for reducing a designated square to 0 hit determine each side’s victory point total.
points. The DM assigns each square a VP point If one side has at least 3 VP more than the
value from 1 to 5, depending on the objective’s other, it has achieved a total victory. Roll a d20
importance. for each of the loser’s units that survived the
Protection. This objective involves defending a battle. On a 10 or higher, treat the unit as
key position or resource from an attacker. It is eliminated; its survivors flee and desert the
always used in conjunction with the Destruction cause.
objective above. If one side has 1 or 2 VP more than the other,
At the end of each round, an army with this the winner has scored a tactical victory. The
objective scores 1 victory point if it has two or loser withdraws from the field with its
more stands adjacent to an objective that has not remaining forces, while both sides tend to their
been reduced to 0 hit points, and if no enemy wounded . . . and perhaps make plans to meet
stands or solos are within 2 squares of the again.
objective.

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 If both sides have an equal number of victory
points at the battle’s end, the DM can declare the
battle a draw, or the armies can fight one more
round to try to determine a winner.
Because of how objectives inform the action of
a conflict, the army that loses the battle can still
come away with positive results. Even if the
player characters fought on the losing side, they
and their army might have achieved the
objectives necessary to fulfill some of their
strategic goals in the campaign.

Mike Mearls is the senior manager for the D&D

research and design team. He was one of the lead
designers for the fifth edition of D&D. His other
credits include the Castle Ravenloft board game,
Monster Manual 3 for fourth edition, and Player’s
Handbook 2 for third edition.

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