We’ve all been in this situation at one point or another, you’re fighting your way through hordes of goblins or you’re defending an ally, when the dice desert you and the dreaded fumble is rolled. These can be challenging for GMs to come up with on the fly, especially if they occur unexpectedly.
Below is a D20 table of descriptions that can be used when an unexpected fumble occurs.
Please note: Each of these would benefit from a bit of elaboration by the GM, nor do they apply specific game mechanics.
| No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Your opponent strikes you on the side of your head causing your vision to blur and your own attack to miss. |
| 2 | The enemy blocks your attack with their own weapon sending your weapon flying from your hand. |
| 3 | Your enemy hurls dust or mud into your face, throwing you off your game and causing the attack to miss. |
| 4 | A glint of sunlight shining off your foe's weapons and armour momentarily blinds you, allowing them to dodge your attack. |
| 5 | Sweat from your exertions drips into your eyes, causing your vision to blue for a few moments, your adversary takes advantage of this and sidesteps your attack. |
| 6 | Recent events have caused you to neglect your weapon maintenance, a dull clang is your reward as your blunted weapon fails to penetrate your opponents armour. |
| 7 | Your opponent lashes out with a foot, causing you to instinctively jerk bacwards, you avade their dirty trick but miss with your own attack. |
| 8 | At the last moment your enemy sidesteps your attack and your weapon thuds into the ground. |
| 9 | You slip on a damp patch of ground causing your attack to go wide. |
| 10 | Your opponent throws themselves backwards at the last moment, your weapon slices a shallow cut in their clothing. |
| 11 | Your adversary reveals a hidden small weapon, whipping it out and parrying your blow. |
| 12 | Lighting conditions cause you underestimate how far away your opponent is and your strike falls short. |
| 13 | Your weapon slips in your sweaty hand, throwing off your aim. |
| 14 | A previously unseen opponent bursts out of the shadows, you raise your weapon to block this new attack but are unable to press your advantage on your previous |
| 15 | You step forward to deliver a punishing strike to your opponent but your foot sinks into a pothole causing you to stagger and miss your target. |
| 16 | The ground below you is slippery and you struggle to maintain your balance, forfeiting your attack. |
| 17 | A stray blow from a nearby conflict causes you to duck and parry, busy defending yourself you're unable to lash out at your opponent. |
| 18 | Your enemy lashes out with their foot, aiming for your midrif, you duck back dodging the treacherous blow but it causes your own attack to miss the mark. |
| 19 | Your enemy slices your forearm, sendin your weapon flying from your grasp. |
| 20 | Your opponent's armour seems to turn aside the force of your blow. |