I've been thinking about possible variations to duels: The duel is a separate set of combat rules, but since they are so deadly and usually involve sheathed katanas, they do not play a large role in my campaign. So I was thinking about other kinds of duels that the PCs could become involved in, ones that do not represent court challenges following the Kakita code.
One change would of course be the weapons used. Criminals might fight duels with daggers, monks may have duels with staffs or clubs. But I was looking for further variation.
A few ideas:
- En Garde: Before the duel begins, both combatants roll for the Guard action (which in this case is an additional allowed duel action). They don't start with sheathed katanas like in a Iaijutzu duel, but with drawn blade and defensive stance.
The effect would be that winning initiative is not as important, as you are not as easily hit on the first strike.
- Preparation: On a shugenja duel, the combatants may decide to allow one or two support spells to be cast before the battle begins. The combatants are thus better protected when rolling initiative.
- Raised Stakes: A monks duel classic, the combatants fight atop a set of vertical logs, balancing on top. Being hit forces a combatant to make a Fitness check to keep their balance, effects that make Prone, push or pull the opponent increase the TN. Falling to the grounds means forfeiting the duel.
- Wrestling: In a wrestling competition, the win condition may be that a combatant succeeds in inflicting the Immobilized condition for two rounds (or three) in a row. Knockout or broken bones are not accepted outcomes.
Other ideas?