Hordes

Hordes represent large groups of characters, typically NPCs, banding together to fight. This allows many individuals to do what a single one may not do individually such as a platoon of first level fighters being fighting a dragon, etc.

To form a horde a group must be working together, have similar weapons and attributes (such as HP), and be organized into a horde. A horde must have at least 4 members.

## Damaging a Horde

A horde has a number of hit points equal to the total number of hit-points of all of its composite members. The average number of hit-points of its composite members (which should have a very low σ value, see above) becomes the horde’s Damage Threshold (DT). Whenever a horde takes damage from a single-target source, compare the net damage taken to the horde’s DT. If the damage dealt equals or exceeds the HT, ignore the damage and remove a member from the horde. Otherwise, note the damage and add it to the damage that the next single-target effect deals to the horde, continuing this process until the horde’s DT is exceeded. AOE attacks are the exception to this rule, instead killing a number of members of the horde equal to (damage dealt/HT), as well as dealing 50% bonus damage. Excess damage that is insufficient to break the next damage threshold is carried over to the next attack as if it were a single target attack. Certain AoE effects (such as poison gas or auras) may affect each member of the horde individually, at the GM's discretion. The Triage Extended Action may be used on a horde even if it is not on a ship.

## Hordes Attributes and Advancement

A horde gains levels based on the number of members it has. A 4 member horde is level 1, a 5-6 member horde is level 2, a 7-8 member horde is level 3 etc.. Hordes advance in levels based on the following chart. A horde otherwise has the attributes of its constituents and can use the skills and feats of its constituents as normal. Hordes may take a number of attacks of opportunity each round equal to twice its level. Hordes can occupy any succession of squares up to their size (so a level 4 horde can occupy a straight line up to 9 squares long). A horde may also spread itself thin, allowing it to occupy a number of squares equal to its level +2. When doing so it loses its Extra opportunity attacks and its Engulf abilities.

**Extra Attack** - Whenever a horde makes an attack as a standard action, it gains additional attacks up to the number indicated. These attacks may also be used to do other things that take a standard or full action, but never movement of any kind, including climbing a ladder or using a teleportation ability. A horde may also make that many attacks of opportunity in a round. A horde may only attack the same creature 3 times in this manner.

**Flurry of Hits** - A horde gains a size bonus to hit, as articulated above. Hordes do not gain this bonus when fighting other hordes.

**Too Big to Fail** - A horde gains a morale bonus to will saves, as articulated above.

**Expert Grappler** - at level three a horde may sustain a grapple merely by forgoing one of its extra attacks. The horde loses all of the benefits of its size with respect to this grapel unless it sacrifices an additional attack per size category it wishes to be treated as (up to the horde’s current size category)

**Extra Attack of Opportunity** - at level 2 a horde may take 2 attacks of opportunity per opportunity. It still may not exceed its total number for the round.

**Engulf** - At level 3 a horde becomes big enough to fully surround others. A horde may enter the square of other characters, and a creature so surrounded takes 2d4 + (horde level) + (strength)  damage per round (reflex save for half) whenever it begins its turn and counts as distracted as long as it remains. hordes may not take attacks of opportunity against creatures in the same square as them, but moving within a horde counts as difficult terrain, and costs 4 points of movement if the horde is hostile.

**Volley** - As the volley rules

**A Weapon for Every Occasion** - The horde may make a single attack against every creature that is within its attack range. These attacks must not exceed the level of the horde.