Cover and Concealment

A character has Cover from an opponent anytime that opponent’s line of sight is partially obscured by an object. If you are using a combat grid, simply estimate a line between the character and the opponent. If that line passes through any potential obstacles, the character likely has Cover. The GM has the final decision whether a character is benefiting from Cover and the degree of that Cover at any given time. Cover comes in three degrees:

Lesser Cover: A target is obscured by about one-quarter their size. This might be caused by a low wall, a piece of furniture, or from standing on the other side of a doorway. A target also has Lesser Cover if there are any allies or enemies between them and their target. Lesser Cover causes a -2 situation penalty to Attack Rolls on Attack Tests. Lesser Cover does not provide enough obscurement for taking the Hide or Shelter actions.

Standard Cover: A target is obscured by about one-half their size. This might be caused by standing behind a waist-high wall or barrier or large window, from standing behind a narrow tree, or attacking through the corner of a building. Standard Cover causes a -4 situation penalty to Attack Rolls on Attack Tests. Characters also receive a +2 situation bonus to Hide actions when benefiting from standard Cover. Characters also receive a +2 situation bonus on Reflexes to avoid area of effect attacks (e.g. explosions and traps).

Greater Cover: A target is obscured by about three-quarters their size. This might be caused by laying prone up on a higher ridge, or from standing behind an arrow slit or small window. Greater Cover causes a -6 situation penalty to Attack Rolls on Attack Tests. Characters also receive a +4 situation bonus to Hide actions when benefiting from Greater Cover. Characters also receive a +4 situation bonus on Reflexes to avoid area of effect attacks (e.g. explosions and traps).

Concealment is when a target is partially obscured by smoke, mist, or other haze. Targets with Concealment impose a -4 situation penalty to Attack Rolls on Attack Tests against them. Characters can take the Hide action when benefiting from Concealment.