Dungeons & Fighting Dragons – Complete Core Rules

1. Game Overview

Title: Dungeons & Fighting Dragons (DFD)

Genre: High-action heroic fantasy

Setting: The continent of Drakoria – a land of shattered dragon kingdoms, mile-deep dungeons, and endless treasure. Dragons never went extinct; they just learned to hide and hoard smarter.

Core Themes: Greed, glory, and the raw thrill of fighting something bigger than yourself. This is not a game about careful politics or moral philosophy. It is a game about kicking down the dungeon door, stabbing a dragon in the face, and taking its stuff.

Tone: Heavy-metal fantasy. Fast, brutal, cinematic, and unapologetically fun.

Playtime: 1–4 hour sessions. Perfect for one-shots or short campaigns.

2. Core Mechanics

Everything uses ordinary six-sided dice (d6). You need about ten per player.

The Risk Roll

When you attempt something dangerous or uncertain:
Roll 2d6 + Attribute + bonuses

7–9 = Partial success (yes, but…)
10–11 = Full success
12+ = Critical success (yes, and…)
6 or less = Failure (no, and…)

Advantage: Roll 3d6, keep best two.
Disadvantage: Roll 3d6, keep worst two.

Attributes (the five stats on your sheet)

Attribute	Max Bonus	Used For
Strength	+3	Melee, lifting, breaking, intimidation
Agility	+3	Dodging, ranged, stealth, acrobatics
Perception	+2	Noticing, searching, initiative
Knowledge	+2	Lore, magic, puzzles, medicine
Stealth	+1	Sneaking, thieving, ambush

3. Character Creation (5 minutes)

Write a badass name
Choose a Class (next page)
You have 8 “ticks” to spend on Attributes (check the boxes on the sheet). Each tick costs 1 point and gives the listed bonus. You cannot exceed the printed maximums.
Starting Power = 10 + Strength bonus
Defense = 10 + Agility bonus + armor
Start with your class gear + 3d6 × 10 gold pieces
Pick or roll one Background (gives a small perk)

Classes

Dragon Knight

Start: Longsword (1d10), chain (+2), shield (+1), warhorse
Power Moves (choose 2 at level 1, more later):
• Lance Charge • Dragon’s Bane Strike • Oath of Vengeance

Wyrmstalker

Start: Two short swords (1d8 each), leather (+1), dragon-slaying poison (3 uses)
Power Moves: Backstab, Venom Blade, Trapfinding

Battle Sorcerer

Start: Staff (1d6), spellbook, no armor
Start with 3 spells (Firebolt, Shield, Sleep, Magic Missile, etc.)
Power Moves: Overchannel (burn Power for bigger spells)

Ironclad

Start: Great axe (1d12 two-handed), plate (+3), slow
Power Moves: Cleave, Shatter, Unbreakable Stance

Combat & Harm

Turn Order

Everyone rolls 2d6 + Perception at the start of combat. Highest acts first.

On Your Turn

Move up to 30 ft
Take ONE action (attack, cast spell, use item, etc.)
Talk or drop something as a free action

Attack

Roll 2d6 + relevant Attribute vs enemy Defense.
Hit → Roll weapon damage + Attribute bonus.
Subtract from Power.

Power & Death

At 0 Power you fall unconscious and start making Death Saves (2d6):
10+ wake up with 1 Power | 7–9 nothing | 6 or less gain a Wound and stay down
3 Wounds = dead.

Healing

Short rest (10 min): roll 1d6 + Knowledge, recover that much Power.
Long rest (8 hours): full Power, remove 1 Wound.

Progression – Leveling

You need Glory (experience) to level.

Level	Glory Needed	Benefits
2	15	+6 Power, 2 new ticks, new Power Move
3	30	+6 Power, 2 ticks
4	60	+8 Power, 3 ticks, new Power Move
5	100	Legendary – create your own epic Power Move

Award 1–5 Glory per fight, 5–20 for major quests or dragon kills.

Game Master Rules

Monster Stat Block (example)

Young Red Dragon
Power 60 | Defense 15 | Bite 2d10 + Strength 5 | Fire Breath 4d6 in 30-ft cone (once per round)
Special: Flight, Fear Aura (all must roll Will or be shaken)

Quick Monster Creation

Power: 5–15 per player expected
Defense: 10–16
Damage: 1d6 to 3d12
Add 1–3 cool abilities

World – Drakoria

Five great dragon lineages still rule hidden kingdoms beneath the earth. Mortal cities pay tribute or get burned. Adventurers are outlaws, exiles, and glory-hounds who delve into the dungeons to steal dragon hoards.

Major Powers

The Crimson Empire – humans who pay tribute to red dragons
The Obsidian League – free cities that openly hunt dragons
The Scaled Church – dragon-worshipping cult
The Deep Wyrms – ancient dragons that never wake… yet

Ready-to-Run One-Shot: “The Ashen Vault”

Level 1 party, 2–3 hours

The village of Ashfall hasn’t seen the sun in weeks. A young black dragon named Vyrak has taken the old silver mine and demands tribute. The villagers hired you to kill it.

Key Locations

Collapsed Entrance – Perception DC 10 to find safe path
Acid Flooded Tunnel – Agility DC 11 or take 2d6 acid
Kobold Guards (6 kobolds, Power 6 each)
Vyrak’s Lair – Young Black Dragon
Power 45 | Defense 14 | Bite 2d8 | Acid Breath 4d6 line
Weakness: hates bright light (disadvantage if someone uses a torch in its face)

Treasure: 2,400 gp in coins, +1 longsword “Dawnfang”, potion of dragon control (one use)

Safety Tools & Final Words

Lines & Veils – discuss before play
X-Card – anyone can stop or edit a scene instantly
Open Door – you may leave the table at any time

Grab dice. Make a character in five minutes.
Go fight dragons.
Take their stuff.