Editing Fate of the Serpentine (section)

=Weapons and Armour=

Unlike other varieties of Fate, this version gives weapons and armour a more active role in the mechanics. All weapons and armour are divided into three classes - 1, 2, 3 - based on how much physical Stress they deal out - or absorb - when a target suffers an Attack. This is in addition to the +/- from the character's own skill roll. 

== Weapon classes ==

Weapons are divided into the following broad classes:

* Light weapons (+1): Dagger, shortsword, cosh, brass knuckles, self bow, etc.

* Medium weapons (+2): Sword, mace, axe, longbow, crossbow, etc.

* Heavy weapon (+3): Greatsword, maul, halberd, lance, pike, quarterstaff, arbalest, etc.

'''Weapon class and turn order'''

Weapon classes affect Fate Condensed's voluntary turn order in the following way - except in cases of surprise, where the ambusher always gets first shot/blow:

* Missile weapons and Sorcery always go first.

* On first round, weapons go in order of their class: 3, 2, 1. This is to reflect the reach of heavier weapons and pole arms. 

* On subsequent rounds, the order is: 2, 3, 1. This is to reflect how cumbersome heavy weapons are to wield at close quarters.

* Within each class, combatants Attack in order of their Athletics. Ties mean simultaneous Attacks.

== Missile weapons ==

Missile weapons have their own rules, aside from just going first in turn order.

Throw weapons - axes, knives, spears, rocks, etc. - use Athletics. Other missile weapons use Shoot.

Missile weapons can reach a number of Zones equal to their Class. So, thrown weapons or self bows can reach one Zone outside their own, longbows can reach 2 Zones, etc.

'''Reload times
'''

Thrown weapons and strung bows require one turn to prepare a fresh shot before shooting at the start of the next exchange. For Class 2 crossbows, this becomes 2 turns. For Class 3 crossbows, it becomes 5 turns.