How KOTOR’s D20 Combat Works

Star Wars™: KOTOR uses d20-based combat, so an attack depends on more than how it looks in an animation. If you keep missing, review your character’s attributes, equipment, and feats against the weapon you use.

Match attributes and feats to your weapon

The draft describes attacks as a d20 roll combined with modifiers and compared with an enemy’s Defense. It identifies Strength as relevant to melee attacks and Dexterity as relevant to ranged attacks and Defense. Based on that guidance, focus your character’s choices on the type of weapon you plan to use rather than spreading attention across unrelated combat options.

Feats can also support a weapon choice. The draft identifies Two-Weapon Fighting as relevant when using two weapons and says it reduces the attack penalty for the off-hand weapon. Choose it if you plan to fight that way; otherwise, the supplied material does not establish it as a priority.

What to check when attacks miss

Review these factors before changing your overall approach:

• Attributes: Check whether your Strength or Dexterity investment fits the weapon you are using.
• Equipment: The draft says some weapons provide attack bonuses. Check your equipped weapon for a listed bonus rather than assuming one.
• Feats: If you use two weapons, check whether you have the relevant Two-Weapon Fighting feat.
• Defense: If you are taking too many hits, review your Dexterity and armor choices. The draft notes that heavier armor can limit the Dexterity bonus applied to Defense.

The draft also names Power Attack and Flurry as attack options with trade-offs, but it does not give enough detail to recommend when to use them. For a practical next step, first check whether your weapon, attributes, and feats are aligned; then reconsider those options only if you understand the trade-offs for your character.