Battle Scars
D&D uses an abstract combat system based on hit points. It is very good from a gameplay perspective, but it misses some of the grittiness that actual battle would entail. The system allows characters to heal up and walk away looking as good as new, and glossing over the increasingly worn state of adventuring bodies.
The following battle scar table adds some visual reminders of the danger your character has faced. It uses a simple mechanic: if you drop below half your hit points during a battle, you gain a permanent scar. After the battle, you roll a d20 twice and consult the table below to determine the shape and location of the scar.
In my campaign, cure wounds and potions of healing close your wounds, but don’t restore the flesh to a flawless state. Therefore, the scars are permanent unless powerful magic such as heal or regenerate is used to remove them.
| d20 | Scar Shape | Scar Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Straight line | On the cheek |
| 2 | Jagged, lightning-bolt-shaped | Across the forearm |
| 3 | Circular, as if from a burn or brand | Back of the hand |
| 4 | Crescent-shaped | Over the eyebrow |
| 5 | Parallel lines | Across the bridge of the nose |
| 6 | Star-shaped | On the lower back |
| 7 | Cross-shaped | Across the shoulder |
| 8 | Forked, splitting into two directions | Down the chin |
| 9 | Long, diagonal scar | Around the right ankle |
| 10 | Short, vertical scar | Across the abdomen |
| 11 | Small, oval-shaped | On the palm of the hand |
| 12 | Curved like a hook | On the thigh |
| 13 | Triangular | Curving around the bicep |
| 14 | Web-like pattern | Along the back of the neck |
| 15 | X-shaped | From collarbone to rib |
| 16 | Thin, needle-like | Across knee |
| 17 | Spiral-shaped | Along the jawline |
| 18 | Arrow-shaped pointing downward | Along the calf |
| 19 | Scalloped, resembling waves | Center of the chest |
| 20 | Z-shaped | Back of the head |
Different damage types leave their own distinctive marks on a body:
Fire damage: Twisted, red burn scars with a faint sheen.
Slashing damage: Deep, jagged lines across the skin with uneven, raised edges.
Bludgeoning damage: Thick, knotted scars from bruising and tearing.
Piercing damage: Puckered marks with inward dents.
Acid damage: Irregular, pitted scars with a rough, corroded texture.
Necrotic damage: Sickly, blackened marks with shriveled flesh.
Lightning damage: Thin, branching marks.
Cold damage: Pale, waxy scars with dark bruising.
Force damage: Rippled scars that look like a distortion in the flesh.
Thunder damage: Spiderweb cracks under the skin with permanent bruising.
Poison damage: Dark, blotchy marking near the point of entry.
This scar table isn’t just for player characters—it can also be used to give NPCs unique marks that help identify them. Historically, ancient peoples often recorded scars and physical marks in debt ledgers as a means of identification. You can do something similar in your campaign.
Scars are like visible memories carved into the flesh, and create a lasting connection between your character's experiences and the world they inhabit. By incorporating this mechanic into your game, you invite richer storytelling opportunities, where battles leave a permanent reminder of the character’s resilience, their triumphs, and the hardships they have faced.