I think I see your point generally...  Then again, I'm also starting to believe that the system is trying a little _too_ hard to be elegant.  I have this impression, though that the damage system is set up to make combat real sudden death?<br/><br/>Major disclaimer: I don't know how dodging works, and that might help.<br/><br/>For the example above: If wimpy little player one with Combative 1 did all of 14 damage at the start of the round, how do we know the opponent is still standing?  They would have needed 15 points of potency or else 10 points of Body _and_ 5 points of armor, right (all in addition to paying 3 points for Combative)?  Or else, whoever attacks _first_ wins, if they can each do that much damage or more.  (What if person with Combative 1 also has Speed 3 to help initiative and Skill: +2 to all Combat rolls?)<br/><br/>Let's say average attacker Body is 5 and average defender body is 10 - skewing it on purpose to make the point.  Then average unmodified attacker damage is 10.  If the defender does have any armor, extra potency above 10, or saving stuff, then they get to  take more than one hit.  Otherwise, it's over with one hit, right?  Or is the whole idea to forget combat, and screw?<br/><br/><br/><br/>