Tutorial 4

D&D Combat System with Magic

Overview

Orchestrate D&D 5th Edition combat encounters in a training arena setting with full spellcasting support. Handle equipment assignment, spell selection, monster selection, initiative rolls, turn-based combat with weapon attacks OR spell casting, spell slot management, and post-combat healing. Combat follows 5e rules for attack resolution (d20 + bonus vs AC), spell attacks, saving throws, and supports multiple end conditions (victory, defeat, flee, surrender).

Available Scripts

Access six Python scripts in the scripts/ directory:

1. roll_dice.py - Dice rolling (from Tutorial 1)
2. character.py - Character management with spell slot tracking (extended from Tutorial 2)
3. bestiary.py - Monster database management
4. equipment.py - Equipment and AC calculation
5. spells.py - Spell database management (NEW in Tutorial 4)
6. combat.py - Combat mechanics, turn resolution, and spellcasting (extended)

All scripts are located at: ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/

Spellcasting System

Tutorial 4 adds a complete spellcasting system with spell slot management and three resolution mechanics:

Spell Types

Cantrips (Level 0): Cast unlimited times, no spell slots required

• Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, Shocking Grasp, Sacred Flame, Eldritch Blast

Leveled Spells (Level 1+): Consume spell slots when cast

• Magic Missile, Burning Hands, Thunderwave, Shield, Healing Word

Spell Resolution Mechanics

Spell Attacks (like Fire Bolt):

• Caster rolls d20 + spell attack bonus vs target AC
• On hit: Roll damage dice

Saving Throws (like Burning Hands):

• Target rolls d20 + save modifier vs caster's spell save DC
• On failed save: Take full damage
• On successful save: Take half damage (or no damage, depending on spell)

Auto-Hit (like Magic Missile):

• No attack roll or save required
• Automatically deals damage

Spell Slot Management

• Full casters (Wizard, Sorcerer, Cleric, Druid) at level 1: 2 spell slots
• Non-casters (Fighter, Rogue): No spell slots
• Casting a leveled spell consumes one slot
• Long rest restores all spell slots

Spellcasting Stats

Each spellcasting class uses a different ability:

• Wizard: Intelligence
• Sorcerer/Warlock: Charisma
• Cleric/Druid: Wisdom

Formulas:

• Spell attack bonus = Proficiency + Spellcasting Ability Modifier
• Spell save DC = 8 + Proficiency + Spellcasting Ability Modifier

For complete spell mechanics documentation, see references/spell-mechanics.md

Combat Workflow

Follow this workflow when conducting a training arena combat encounter:

Step 1: Seed Databases (First Time Only)

On first use, seed the bestiary and spell databases:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/bestiary.py seed
python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/spells.py seed

This adds:

• Monsters: Goblin, Skeleton (CR 1/4), Orc (CR 0.5), Zombie (CR 1/4), Rat (CR 0)
• Spells: 5 cantrips + 5 level-1 spells from assets/data/spells_core.json

Step 2: Check Character Equipment

Before combat, verify the character has equipment:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/equipment.py show CHARACTER_NAME

If no equipment found, equip starting gear based on their class:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/equipment.py equip CHARACTER_NAME CLASS_NAME

Starting equipment by class:

• Fighter: Chain mail (AC 16), longsword (1d8+STR), shield (+2 AC) → Total AC 18
• Wizard: No armor (AC 10+DEX), quarterstaff (1d6+STR)
• Rogue: Leather armor (AC 11+DEX), shortsword (1d6+DEX)
• Cleric: Chain mail (AC 16), mace (1d6+STR), shield (+2 AC) → Total AC 18

Step 3: Start Combat

Initialize the combat encounter:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/combat.py start CHARACTER_NAME MAX_CR

MAX_CR calculation: Use character_level / 4 as a guideline. Level 1 character = CR 0.25.

This command outputs JSON containing:

• Character stats (HP, AC, weapon, DEX modifier, spell slots if caster)
• Selected monster stats (HP, AC, attack, abilities)
• Initiative rolls for both combatants
• Who goes first ("character" or "monster")

Parse this JSON and display the combat start state to the user in narrative form.

For narrative guidance on setting the scene, see references/narrative-guide.md

Step 4: Combat Loop

Execute turns in initiative order. Continue until an end condition is met.

Character's Turn

Ask the user what they want to do:

• Attack with weapon
• Cast Spell (cantrip or leveled spell if caster and has slots)
• Flee (attempt to escape)
• Surrender (end combat as defeat)

To execute a weapon attack:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/combat.py character-attack CHARACTER_NAME MONSTER_NAME MONSTER_AC MONSTER_HP

The command outputs JSON with:

• Attack roll (natural d20, bonus, total)
• Whether it hit
• Whether it was a critical hit (natural 20)
• Damage dealt (if hit)
• Monster's HP before and after

Parse and narrate the results with dramatic descriptions.

To cast a spell:

First, check if character has spell slots available (for leveled spells). Cantrips don't require slots.

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/combat.py character-cast CHARACTER_NAME "SPELL_NAME" MONSTER_NAME MONSTER_AC MONSTER_HP 'MONSTER_STATS_JSON'

MONSTER_STATS_JSON must include the monster's abilities for saving throws. Get this from the start combat JSON.

The command outputs JSON with:

• Spell resolution (attack roll, saving throw, or auto-hit)
• Damage dealt
• Monster's HP before and after
• Spell slots remaining (if leveled spell)

After casting a leveled spell, the character's spell slots are automatically updated in the database.

For detailed spell casting narrative examples, see references/narrative-guide.md

Monster's Turn

The monster always attacks (simple AI). Execute the monster's attack:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/combat.py monster-attack MONSTER_NAME MONSTER_ATTACK_BONUS MONSTER_DAMAGE CHARACTER_NAME CHARACTER_AC

The command outputs JSON with:

• Attack roll results
• Damage dealt (if hit)
• Character's HP before and after

The character's HP is automatically updated in the database.

Parse and narrate the monster's attack dramatically.

Check End Conditions

After each turn, check if combat should end:

1. Monster HP ≤ 0: Victory
2. Character HP ≤ 0: Defeat
3. Character fled: Escaped
4. Character surrendered: Defeat

If no end condition met, continue to next turn in initiative order.

Step 5: End Combat

When combat ends, call the end combat command:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/combat.py end CHARACTER_NAME OUTCOME

OUTCOME must be one of: victory, defeat, fled

On victory or fled: Character is automatically healed to full HP and spell slots refreshed.

On defeat: Character HP remains at 0 (or current value). No death saves in this tutorial - just narrative defeat.

Narrate the outcome with appropriate drama and closure.

Core Commands Reference

Equipment Management

Show equipment:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/equipment.py show CHARACTER_NAME

Calculate AC:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/equipment.py ac CHARACTER_NAME

Get weapon stats:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/equipment.py weapon CHARACTER_NAME

Returns JSON with weapon name, damage dice, attack bonus, and ability modifier.

Spell Management

List all spells:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/spells.py list

List spells by level:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/spells.py list --level 1

List spells by class:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/spells.py list --class wizard

Show spell details:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/spells.py show "Fire Bolt"

Get spell data as JSON:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/spells.py get "Fire Bolt"

Character Management

Take long rest:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/character.py long-rest CHARACTER_NAME

Restores character to full HP and refreshes all spell slots.

Show character:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/character.py show CHARACTER_NAME

Displays character stats including spell slots (if caster).

Bestiary Management

List all monsters:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/bestiary.py list

List monsters by max CR:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/bestiary.py list --max-cr 0.5

Show monster details:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/bestiary.py show MONSTER_NAME

Add new monster:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/tutorial-4/scripts/bestiary.py add NAME CR 'JSON_STAT_BLOCK'

JSON stat block format:

{
    "ac": 15,
    "hp_dice": "2d6",
    "hp_avg": 7,
    "abilities": {
        "str": 8, "dex": 14, "con": 10,
        "int": 10, "wis": 8, "cha": 8
    },
    "attack": {
        "name": "Weapon Name",
        "bonus": 4,
        "damage_dice": "1d6+2",
        "damage_type": "slashing"
    }
}

Narrative Style - Radio Drama

Present combat as a radio drama - create vivid scenes with words so the listener can see, hear, and feel the action.

Key Principles

1. Set atmosphere - Describe the training arena, torchlight, tension
2. Give monsters personality - Based on stats and type (cunning Goblin, relentless Skeleton, shambling Zombie)
3. Describe attacks dramatically - Not just "hit" or "miss", but WHY and HOW
4. Vary language - Use rich vocabulary to avoid repetition (swing, slash, thrust, cleave, dodge, weave, parry)
5. Match narrative to HP - Fresh and confident at full HP, desperate and wounded at low HP
6. Always show dice rolls - Transparency builds trust (format: 🎲 Roll: 15 + 4 = 19 vs AC 15)
7. Player agency - Make the character feel heroic and skilled

For complete narrative guidance with extensive examples, see references/narrative-guide.md

Important Notes

• Database location: ~/.claude/data/dnd-dm.db
• Monster HP is rolled fresh each combat (using hp_dice)
• Character HP is tracked persistently and updated in database
• Character automatically heals to full after victory or fleeing
• All combat scripts output JSON for easy parsing
• Initiative ties default to character going first (or use DEX as tiebreaker)

Error Handling

Handle these common errors gracefully:

• Character not found: Suggest using character.py list to see available characters
• No equipment: Automatically equip starting gear for character's class
• Bestiary empty: Run bestiary.py seed to add initial monsters
• Spells database empty: Run spells.py seed to add initial spells
• No monsters at CR: Suggest lowering max_cr or adding monsters with bestiary.py add
• No spell slots: Suggest taking a long rest or using cantrips instead

Reference Documentation

For detailed information on specific topics, see:

• references/narrative-guide.md - Complete radio drama narrative guide with extensive examples for combat openings, attacks, spellcasting, and endings
• references/spell-mechanics.md - Detailed spellcasting system documentation including spell types, resolution mechanics, spell slots, and class-specific spellcasting
• references/dnd-5e-rules.md - D&D 5th Edition combat rules reference including initiative, attack rolls, damage, AC calculation, proficiency bonuses, and ability scores

Load these references as needed when conducting combat encounters.