If playing in person without software assistance, it is recommended to use the card props provided, although other methods are possible. If cards are used, the diagram below shows the order in which cards should be placed on the table top. One stack of cards plus a stance card would be laid out for each combatant. In the case of multiple combatants being controlled by a player or the GM, it is recommended to use a token to denote which stacks correspond to each Actor in the combat. For combat involving many opponents, instead use the Mass Combat rules and layout, as individual piles for each combatant will quickly overwhelm the play table. The letters and symbols on the cards layout below correspond to the ND1 Action Codes. Cards are selected and laid on the table in the order shown below face down except in the case of the Stance card. Cards are placed in this order to correspond to the order in which they may be discovered by opponents during the Observe Foe phase of combat, so that the number of cards that are flipped face up will always correspond to the order in which they can be discovered per the Observe Foe table.

1. PPP- Body Position (Stance): this card is placed face up directly to the left of the Combat Stack. All opponents should be able to observe how their opponent is standing.
2. C- classifier: the type of action to be performed. This is the first card to be placed face down because opponents don't yet know what action the Actor is about to take. Although this is combat, the Actor may try to talk their way out, cast as spell, or simply run. The Observe Foe phase may reveal what opposing actors intend to do.