AD&D 2e Complete GM Screen

Table Flow

Describe what the characters perceive.
Ask: “What do you do?”
Clarify intent and method.
Decide: automatic, impossible, or roll.
Roll using the correct mechanic.
Resolve consequences and move the scene forward.

Never roll when both success and failure are boring.

Situation	Ruling
Easy, no pressure	Automatic success
Hard, risky, uncertain	Roll
No plausible method	Impossible unless approach changes
Good plan bypasses obstacle	Reward it; no roll or easier difficulty

Core Dice

Use	Roll	Success
Attack	1d20	Target number or higher
Saving throw	1d20	Save number or higher
Ability check	3d6 / 4d6 / 5d6	Total equal to or under ability score
Nonweapon proficiency	Ability check with difficulty shift	Relevant proficiency reduces difficulty one step
Thief skill	d100	Listed % or lower
Reaction	2d10	Higher is friendlier
Morale	2d10	Roll morale score or lower

Ability check: roll Xd6 by difficulty. Success if total ≤ ability score. No modifiers.

Ruling Matrix

Question	Use
Is the character attacking?	THAC0 attack roll
Is the character resisting harm?	Saving throw
Is it a trained thief task?	Thief skill
Is it a learned nonweapon skill?	Ability check; proficiency shifts difficulty down one step
Is it raw talent under pressure?	Ability check at fictional difficulty
Is there no meaningful risk?	No roll

Best ruling: fair, fast, consistent, and tied to the fiction.

Ability Uses

Ability	Use For
STR	Force, lift, bend, jump, grapple, break
DEX	Balance, dodge, stealth movement, reflexes
CON	Endure, fatigue, exposure, hold breath
INT	Reason, recall, search logic, puzzles
WIS	Notice, intuition, tracking, judgment
CHA	Persuade, command, deceive, perform

Do not add circumstance modifiers. Use fiction to set difficulty, then apply only the proficiency shift.

When to Roll	Handling
Failure is meaningful, interesting, or consequential	Roll ability check
No pressure, no danger, no real consequence	No roll
Good roleplay or clever method removes uncertainty	No roll or lower base difficulty
No plausible method	Impossible until approach changes

Ability Check System

Core mechanic: Roll a number of d6 equal to the difficulty. Compare the total to the relevant ability score. Success means the roll is equal to or under the ability score. Failure means the roll is over the ability score.

No modifiers. No additions. No advantage. No disadvantage. Just roll Xd6 and compare.

Difficulty Ladder

Difficulty	Dice	Use For
Standard	3d6	Reasonable challenge for a competent person; most checks live here
Hard	4d6	Stressful, risky, or requiring precision; failure likely for average scores
Extreme	5d6	Exceptional difficulty; use sparingly; even skilled characters struggle

Nonweapon Proficiencies

Situation	Rule
Relevant proficiency	Reduce difficulty by one step: Extreme → Hard, Hard → Standard
Standard + relevant proficiency + no pressure	Automatic success
No relevant proficiency and task requires training	Increase difficulty by one step
No relevant proficiency but ordinary task	No penalty
Optional expert-level proficiency	Reduce difficulty by two steps; use very sparingly

Setting Difficulty

Ask: “How hard is this in the fiction, before skills?”
Set Standard, Hard, or Extreme.
Then apply proficiency: relevant training shifts one step easier.
If the task reasonably requires training and the character lacks it, shift one step harder.
Roll only if failure matters.

Examples

Action	Base	With Proficiency	Without Proficiency
Climbing a wet wall	Hard, 4d6	Standard, 3d6	Hard, 4d6
Picking a lock	Hard, 4d6	Standard, 3d6	Extreme, 5d6
Persuading a guard	Standard, 3d6	Automatic if no pressure; otherwise Standard	Standard, or Hard if suspicious
Tracking in bad weather	Hard, 4d6	Standard, 3d6	Extreme, 5d6

Final intent: ability score + difficulty + proficiency shift. That is the whole system.

Party Combat Tracker

Editable. Use the buttons to add/remove rows. Saved locally in this browser.

Name	Class/Lvl	THAC0	AC	HP	Move	Saves/Notes

Attack roll needed = THAC0 − target AC − attack bonuses + attack penalties.

THAC0 Calculator

Attacker THAC0
Target AD&D AC
Attack bonus
Attack penalty

Example	Need
THAC0 20 vs AC 10	10+
THAC0 18 vs AC 5	13+
THAC0 16 vs AC 0	16+
THAC0 14 vs AC -2	16+

AC Converter

AD&D descending AC
Ascending AC

Quick conversion: Ascending AC = 20 − AD&D AC.

AD&D AC	Ascending AC
10	10
5	15
0	20
-5	25
-10	30

Ability Check Helper

Ability score
Base difficulty
Proficiency
Requires training?
Pressure / danger / time limit?

Difficulty is set first from the fiction. Proficiency then shifts it. Standard with relevant proficiency and no pressure is automatic.

Travel Calculator

Move rate
Terrain cost / mile

Daily movement points ≈ move rate × 2. Miles/day = points ÷ terrain cost.

Combat Sequence

Determine awareness, encounter distance, and surprise.
Declare intent: movement, attacks, spells, item use, retreat.
Roll initiative.
Resolve movement, missiles, spells, melee, and special actions.
Apply damage, saves, magic resistance, and ongoing effects.
Check death, morale, surrender, retreat.
Start next round.

Spellcasters hit before completion may lose the spell.

Round: about 1 minute; usually one meaningful action.

Attack & THAC0

Number needed = attacker THAC0 − target AC.

Example	Result
THAC0 18 vs AC 6	Need 12+
THAC0 18 vs AC 0	Need 18+
THAC0 14 vs AC -2	Need 16+

Modifier	Effect
Magic weapon, STR, rear attack	Bonus
Cover, darkness, range, bad footing	Penalty
Prone target in melee	Usually bonus
Firing into melee	Penalty/risk by ruling

Calculated THAC0 by Class Group

Group	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
Priest	20	20	20	18	18	18	16	16	16	14	14	14	12	12	12	10	10	10	8	8
Rogue	20	20	19	19	18	18	17	17	16	16	15	15	14	14	13	13	12	12	11	11
Warrior	20	19	18	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
Wizard	20	20	20	19	19	19	18	18	18	17	17	17	16	16	16	15	15	15	14	14

Use actual class group: Warrior includes fighter-type progression; Priest, Rogue, and Wizard use their listed progressions.

Saving Throws

Save Type	Use For
Paralyzation / Poison / Death	Venom, death magic, paralysis
Rod / Staff / Wand	Device magic
Petrification / Polymorph	Transformation, stone effects
Breath Weapon	Dragon breath, blasts
Spell	General spell resistance

Roll 1d20. Meet or beat the listed save number.

Use the most specific save first. If uncertain, use Spell.

Magic Procedure

Spell is memorised/prepared.
Declare spell.
Check range, target, sight, components.
Resolve initiative/casting time.
If hit or disrupted before completion, spell may be lost.
Apply saves, magic resistance, damage, duration.

Can caster speak?
Can caster gesture?
Is the material component ready?
Can target be seen/reached?

Surprise & Encounters

Are both sides aware?
If not, roll surprise.
Set encounter distance.
Describe what each side sees/hears.
Check reaction, morale, or immediate actions.

Situation	Modifier
Ambusher hidden and prepared	Victim penalty
Noisy armour / torchlight	Victim penalty
Alert scout / guard	Victim bonus
Silence / invisibility	Strong penalty

Do not roll surprise when one side clearly knows the other is there.

Reaction & Morale

2d10	Reaction
2–4	Hostile / attacks
5–7	Unfriendly / suspicious
8–13	Uncertain / cautious
14–16	Talkative / open
17–20	Helpful / friendly

Morale Triggers

First casualty.
Leader killed.
Half force down.
Outmatched by magic.
No escape.
Offered mercy or bribe.

Fanatics, undead, constructs, charmed creatures, and cornered foes may ignore normal morale.

Armor Values

Armor	AC	With Shield
None	10	9
Leather / Padded	8	7
Studded Leather / Ring Mail	7	6
Brigandine / Scale / Hide	6	5
Chain Mail	5	4
Splint / Banded / Bronze Plate	4	3
Plate Mail	3	2
Field Plate	2	1
Full Plate	1	0

Lower AC is better. Shield normally improves AC by 1.

Common Melee Weapons

Weapon	Type	Speed	Dmg S-M	Dmg L	Notes
Dagger	P	2	1d4	1d3	Throwable
Knife	P/S	2	1d3	1d2	Backup
Club	B	4	1d6	1d3	Common
Quarterstaff	B	4	1d6	1d6	Two-handed
Short Sword	P	3	1d6	1d8	Sidearm
Long Sword	S	5	1d8	1d12	Classic
Broad Sword	S	5	2d4	1d6+1	Reliable average
Bastard Sword, 1H	S	6	1d8	1d12	One-handed
Bastard Sword, 2H	S	8	2d4	2d8	Two-handed; no shield
Two-Handed Sword	S	10	1d10	3d6	Two-handed
Hand Axe	S	4	1d6	1d4	Throwable
Battle Axe	S	7	1d8	1d8	Heavy axe
Two-Handed Axe	S	9	1d10	2d8	Two-handed
Spear	P	6	1d6	1d8	Set vs charge
Footman’s Mace	B	7	1d6+1	1d6	Blunt
Horseman’s Mace	B	6	1d6	1d4	Mounted
Morning Star	B/P	7	2d4	1d6+1	Heavy impact
Warhammer	B	4	1d4+1	1d4	Fast blunt
Footman’s Flail	B	7	1d6+1	2d4	Flexible
Halberd	P/S	9	1d10	2d6	Polearm
Military Fork	P	7	1d8	2d4	Polearm
Partisan	P	9	1d6	1d6+1	Polearm
Ranseur	P	8	2d4	2d4	Polearm

Type: B = bludgeoning, P = piercing, S = slashing. Weapon speed is mainly used if your table uses weapon-speed initiative.

Missile Weapons

Weapon	ROF	Range S/M/L	Dmg S-M	Dmg L	Notes
Short Bow	2/1	50 / 100 / 150 yds	1d6	1d6	Fast
Long Bow	2/1	70 / 140 / 210 yds	1d6	1d6	Long range
Composite Short Bow	2/1	60 / 120 / 180 yds	1d6	1d6	Mounted cultures
Composite Long Bow	2/1	90 / 180 / 270 yds	1d6	1d6	Excellent range
Light Crossbow	1/1	60 / 120 / 180 yds	1d4+1	1d4+1	Simple
Heavy Crossbow	1/2	80 / 160 / 240 yds	1d4+1	1d6+1	Slow, strong
Sling Stone	1/1	40 / 80 / 160 yds	1d4	1d4	Common ammo
Sling Bullet	1/1	50 / 100 / 200 yds	1d4+1	1d6+1	Better ammo
Dart	3/1	10 / 20 / 40 yds	1d3	1d2	Very fast
Javelin	1/1	20 / 40 / 80 yds	1d6	1d6	Thrown

Simple range default: short +0, medium -2, long -5.

Thief Skills

Skill	Use
Pick Pockets	Steal or plant small items
Open Locks	Locks, manacles, mechanisms
Find/Remove Traps	Mechanical traps
Move Silently	Silent movement
Hide in Shadows	Concealment when conditions allow
Detect Noise	Listening carefully
Climb Walls	Sheer or difficult surfaces
Read Languages	Decipher unfamiliar writing

Roll d100 equal/under skill. Apply armour, race, Dex, tools, and situation as normal for thief skills. These are separate from the Xd6 ability-check system.

Starting Money

Group	Starting Funds
Warrior	5d4 × 10 gp
Wizard	(1d4 + 1) × 10 gp
Rogue	2d6 × 10 gp
Priest	3d6 × 10 gp; excess usually returned to superiors

Base Movement

Race	Move	Dungeon/Round	Outdoor/Round
Human	12	120 ft	120 yds
Elf	12	120 ft	120 yds
Half-Elf	12	120 ft	120 yds
Dwarf	6	60 ft	60 yds
Gnome	6	60 ft	60 yds
Halfling	6	60 ft	60 yds

Indoors: Move × 10 feet/round. Outdoors: Move × 10 yards/round.

Movement Modifiers

Terrain / Condition	Effect
Darkness	Reduce by 1/3 unless risking falls
Heavy brush / forest	Reduce by 2/3
Ice / slippery footing	Reduce by 1/3 unless risking falls
Rugged / rocky ground	Reduce by 1/2
Knee-deep sand/snow	Reduce by 1/3
Waist-deep water/snow	Reduce by 1/2
Shoulder-deep water/snow	Reduce by 2/3

Moving faster than safe speed in darkness/ice: use a DEX ability check only if falling would be meaningful.

Overland Travel

Terrain	Movement Cost per Mile
Clear / farmland	1/2
Untravelled plains / grassland / heath	1
Barren / wasteland / rocky desert	2
Sand desert	3
Light forest	2
Medium forest	3
Heavy forest	4
Rolling hills	2
Steep hills / foothills	4
Low mountains	4
Medium mountains	6
High mountains	8
Medium jungle	6
Heavy jungle	8
Marsh / swamp	8
Tundra	3
Moor	4

Daily movement points ≈ movement rate × 2. Spend points by terrain cost per mile.

Example: Move 12 = 24 points/day. Heavy forest costs 4/mile, so about 6 miles/day.

Mounted Travel

Rule	Effect
Normal mounted travel	Miles/day roughly equals mount movement, adjusted by terrain
Main advantage	Mount carries gear and preserves rider endurance
Double movement	Mount saves vs death or becomes spent/lame
Triple movement	Save vs death at penalty; failure may kill mount
Horse care	Needs food, water, rest, and suitable terrain

Do not treat horses like motorbikes. Bad terrain, no water, and forced marches matter.

Light & Vision

Condition	Effect
Bright light	Normal sight
Torch / lantern	Visible from afar; attracts attention
Dim light	Search/attack penalties possible
Darkness	Cannot target normally without special sense
Infravision	Heat-based sight; may be spoiled by light/heat

Track torch/lantern duration.
Ask who carries the light.
Remember light reveals the party.

Rest & Healing

Condition	Healing
Normal rest	1 HP per day of low activity
Complete bed rest	3 HP per full day
Full week bed rest	21 HP + applicable Con HP bonus
No food/water/sleep	No natural healing that day
Magical healing	Immediate; cannot exceed max HP
Healing/herbalism proficiency	Minor benefits if used

Core death rule: at 0 HP, the character is dead unless using optional death’s door.

Death & Injury

Event	Rule
0 HP	Dead by core rule
Optional death’s door	0 to -10 dying state
50+ damage from one attack	Save vs death or die
Poison death	Poison may remain active after resurrection
Raise dead / resurrection	Use spell/item rules and resurrection survival

Optional Death’s Door

HP	State
0	Unconscious, helpless
-1 to -9	Dying; lose 1 HP/round until stabilised
-10	Dead
Stabilised	No further loss, cannot act

Use for dangerous-but-not-instantly-lethal campaigns.

Poison

Issue	Ruling
Poison save	Usually save vs poison; failure applies listed poison effect
Cure spells	Do not automatically neutralize poison
Neutralize poison	Stops poison; does not restore HP already lost
Debilitating poison	May prevent normal/magical healing until neutralized or elapsed
Poison after death	Venom can remain active for resurrection complications

Exploration Turns

Task	Handling
Search room	Costs time; roll if hidden thing matters
Listen at door	Quiet required; wandering risk
Force door	STR ability check if genuinely uncertain; noisy
Pick lock	Thief skill, or ability check only for improvised/non-thief rulings
Find/remove trap	Thief skill or careful description
Map	Needs light, pace, attention

Time passes.
Light burns.
Noise attracts.
Spells expire.
Wandering monsters may appear.

Doors, Traps, Secrets

Doors

Unlocked: opens unless stuck, barred, swollen, or held.
Stuck: STR ability check if uncertain; noisy.
Locked: key, thief skill, magic, force, or tools.

Traps

Foreshadow danger where fair.
Ask exactly how they inspect.
Reward smart precautions.
Roll only when uncertainty remains.
Trigger: attack, save, or automatic effect.

Secret Doors

Use racial chances, search time, magic, or description-led discovery.

NPCs

Want: what do they need?
Fear: what makes them back down?
Leverage: what can PCs offer?
Line: what will they not do?

Attitude	Meaning
Hostile	Hurts, blocks, betrays
Unfriendly	Refuses unless pressured
Neutral	Needs reason/payment
Friendly	Helps if not costly
Loyal	Takes risk for PCs

Treasure & XP

Treasure

Coins: common reward.
Gems/jewellery: portable wealth.
Magic items: wonder and power.
Maps/clues: future adventure.
Favours/titles/land/allies: campaign rewards.

XP Sources

Completing goals.
Overcoming monsters/hazards.
Recovering treasure if using that rule.
Class-specific achievements.
Good survival/problem-solving.

Wilderness

Set weather and terrain.
Choose pace and marching order.
Check navigation/lost if relevant.
Check encounters by region/time.
Track food, water, mounts, fatigue.
Camp: watches, healing, memorisation.

Hazard	Check
Exposure	CON ability check; survival proficiency shifts difficulty easier
Lost	WIS ability check; navigation proficiency shifts difficulty easier
Forced march	CON ability check
Foraging	WIS ability check; survival proficiency shifts difficulty easier
Ambush	Surprise / scouting

Common Rulings

Help

Help should change the fictional situation, not add a bonus. If a helper meaningfully improves the method, set a lower base difficulty before the roll. If the help removes uncertainty, do not roll.

Group Checks

Use the best character if one lead makes sense. Use majority success if everyone must manage individually. Apply proficiency shifts individually if the characters have different training.

Retrying

Allow a retry only if time, tools, method, or circumstances change. Otherwise failure stands.

Fail Forward

Failure causes cost, delay, danger, noise, damage, lost resource, worse position, or hard choice.

Fast Combat Math

Task	Formula	Example
Hit number	THAC0 − AC	THAC0 17 vs AC 4 = need 13+
Apply attack bonus	Needed number − bonus	Need 13, +2 sword = need 11+
Apply attack penalty	Needed number + penalty	Need 13, -2 darkness = need 15+
Convert AC	Ascending AC = 20 − AD&D AC	AD&D AC 3 = Asc AC 17
Ability check	Roll Xd6 ≤ ability score	DEX 15, Hard = roll 4d6; success on 15 or less

How To Run Common Scenes

Combat

Draw positions or describe range.
Ask declarations.
Roll initiative.
Resolve actions.
For attacks: THAC0 − AC, roll d20, roll damage.
Call saves where required.
Check morale after a major setback.

Search

Ask where and how they search.
Spend time.
If method reveals it, reveal it.
If uncertain, roll appropriate check.
Failure costs time, noise, danger, or missed clue.

Social

Decide NPC desire and fear.
Let players speak or summarise approach.
Judge leverage, threats, reputation, and what is being asked.
Roll only if outcome is uncertain and failure matters.
Partial success: help with price, delay, condition, or risk.

Encounter Design

Good Encounter Checklist

Clear situation.
Interesting terrain.
Monster/NPC goal.
At least one non-combat option.
Reward or clue.
Consequence if ignored.

Pressure Tools

Pressure	Use
Time	Ritual completes, guards arrive
Noise	Wandering monsters
Light	Torches run out
Supplies	Food, water, arrows
Morality	Hostages, innocents, oaths

Session Opening Checklist

1 Recap last session. 2 State current danger/opportunity. 3 Confirm marching order or positions. 4 Confirm light sources. 5 Confirm active spells/effects. 6 Ask: “What do you do?”

Source / Table Notes

This screen is designed as a fast play aid, not a replacement for the books. Armour values, THAC0 table, healing, death, movement, and equipment summaries follow AD&D 2e core references. The Xd6 roll-under ability-check system, nonweapon proficiency shifts, AC ascending converter, and fail-forward advice are table tools added for speed and consistency.