Character Creation Challenge 2026 Day 14: Melee

Today I want to focus on what I consider the game that started me on the path roleplaying games. 
Metagaming's board game Melee.  Melee is a man-to-man combat game with simple stats for each fighter.  What made it different from other board games, in my limited experience, was two things.  An experience system and programed adventures.

 

This was 1979.  I had yet to run into D&D or any other RPG in my small town.  I had heard of it but not seen it.  Then at the bus stop I heard two neighborhood kids talking about throwing fire spells and summoning a wolf.  I asked it they were talking about D&D.  Nope, a game called Melee and Wizard.  The next time we went to the larger town nearby I found it in a game store in the mall.  For only $2.95!  Even mom didn't have a problem with that.

 

I learned how to play and though I played with the neighborhood kids I played it lot more solo.  And the cool part was that I could use the same character again if they survived.  And with experience points they improved, could face more foes or more dangerous foes like giants.  Then I discovered Death Test, the first programed adventure.  So many characters died in that maze but I loved it.

 

 You find no treasure on the bodies or elsewhere. You can leave by the east door (111) or the west door (143).

Ah, the good old days...

The continuity and improvement of characters and the adventures created a roleplaying experience to me.  So much so that when I did finally start playing Holmes Basic D&D there really wasn't a transition or learning phase for me.

Creating a character for Melee is simple.  There are two main attributes, Strength and Dexterity.  (Wizard adds Intelligence.) Strength and Dexterity start at 8 and you have 8 points to distribute between them.  Strength determines what weapons you can you use and acts as hit points.  Dexterity is the target number that determines whether you have hit your enemy.  Higher is better as the system is a 3d6 roll equal or under.  Armor reduces damage.  It also lowers your effective dexterity and slows you down.

I've always been partial to the Roman legionary character that is featured in the short fiction included in the rules and the example combat that it is based on.  So here's my Roman legionary

Quintus Marcellus

 

ST 11    DX 13    MA 6

 

Shortsword 2d6-1

Dagger 1d6-1

 

Chainmail/ 5 hits

Lg. Shield