Combat at Different Levels

Combat At Different Levels is an optional rule for melee combat, giving bonuses to attackers at higher elevations.Basic Set: Campaigns, p.402-403 In mounted combat, this is referred to as "height difference".Basic Set: Campaigns, p.398
Vertical Difference
(in feet)	Modifiers 	Examples
1' or less	No change. 	Flat ground.
2' or less	No change, unless you are using hit locations. In that case, the higher fighter has -2 to hit the feet or legs, and +1 to hit the head (skull, face, or eyes) or neck. The lower fighter has +2 to hit the feet or legs, and -2 to hit the head. These modifiers are in addition to normal hit location penalties. 	Atop the seat of a chair. Or in the bed of a truck.
3' 	As above, but the lower fighter is at -1 to any active defense, while the upper fighter is at +1 to his active defenses. Mounted fighters on horseback tend to get this advantage against unmounted foes. 	On top of a dining table. On the hood of a car.
4' 	As above, but the lower fighter is at -2 to defend, while the upper fighter is at +2. The upper fighter cannot strike at the lower fighter’s feet or legs. 	Atop a countertop, or on the back of some chairs.
5' 	The lower fighter cannot strike at the upper fighter’s head, and the upper fighter cannot strike at the lower fighter’s feet or legs. The lower fighter is at -3 to defend, while the upper fighter is at +3. 	
6' 	Up to six feet of vertical difference: The upper fighter may only strike at the lower fighter’s head. The lower fighter may only strike at the upper fighter’s feet or legs. Neither gets any special bonus or penalty to attack. The lower fighter is at -3 to defend, while the upper fighter is at +3. 	
Over 6' 	Combat is impossible unless the fighters adopt some strange position; e.g., the upper fighter lies down and reaches over the edge. In that particular case, he would effectively bring himself three feet closer, and his foe could strike at his head and arm. The GM may offer appropriate bonuses and penalties for any odd tactics that the players employ.	Standing guard on a wall. Or atop the back of a van. Or upon a standard 6'7" scaffold.
== Combat Option: Larger and Smaller Foes ==
As per Combat Writ Large, it's possible to apply Combat at Different Levels to larger and smaller foes. Using this optional rule system will certainly make it more dangerous to fight larger foes like giants and dragons--but likewise, smaller creatures are easier to hit. 
Using this combat option, smallish foes like giant rats are more likely to attack the legs and feet--and they're much more vulnerable to simply being kicked away. 
== See Also ==
* Using a ranged attack at an odd angle? See Firing Upward and Downward!
* Dropping onto an enemy? Use Attack from Above!
== References ==