From publisher blurb: A full-throated battle cry. The clash of swords. The smells of smoke, mud and blood. Combat! At the heart of every adventure lies conflict, whether it’s between a cursed knight and a half-elf prince at swordspoint, a troupe of adventurers facing down an ogre, or the armies of two great nations clashing for ultimate power. Between these covers, 20 master game designers and storytellers get into the thick of it. With essays that cover everything from strategy and tactics to the history of military systems at war, from increasing the tension in a conflict to using monsters, magic, and war machines on the field, these creators show you how to bring together the elements to create great combat on the tabletop and in your storytelling. Open these pages and enter the fray! The Essential Guide to Combat in Fiction and Games This essential companion for fantasy gamers and readers alike is edited by Janna Silverstein, and features essays by Wolfgang Baur Clinton Boomer Ed Greenwood Jeff Grubb Rob Heinsoo Colin McComb Richard Pett Chris Pramas Aaron Rosenberg John A. Pitts & Ken Scholes Elizabeth Ann Scarborough Steve Winter and many more! This latest volume in the best-selling and award-winning series of Kobold Guides tackles the violence and heroism at the heart of the fantasy genre. Improve your game and expand your combat storytelling skill with the Kobold Guide to Combat!