My PCs are currently in Drakthar's Way, and since I'm going to be doing the hit-and-run thing I was planning to make extensive use of <i>gaseous form</i>, until I read it over and determined that it sucks. I mean, really, the only advantage for Drakthar there is that he can pass through nearly anything- he still has the same DR and he can only move 10 ft. in an action. I mean, does anyone else think it's odd that he can turn gaseous and still be hit with normal weapons, assuming you do enough damage? The barbarian in the party does 10 damage minimum with no magical enhancement. It would be smarter for Drakthar to just do a full retreat and turn gaseous only if he accidentally runs into something he can't climb over.
I personally think <i>gaseous form</i> should render you invulnerable to non-magical attacks, or at the very least give you the same benefit as being incorporeal. I dunno, maybe that's a game balance issue, but it raises a serious "this makes no sense" issue with me.
I assumed Drakthar's way is full of smaller vents and crevices. After all, the caves are a result of previous eruptions and earthquakes. Drakthar uses those to move about while gaseous.
Also, remember that the cave has a fairly high ceiling. In the first round, Drakthar moves up and out of melee range. His high damage reduction and fast healing makes him pretty difficult to hurt with nothing but ranged weapons.
I agree with you though, that taking the *run* in 'hit and run' more literal is not a bad idea.
My PCs are currently in Drakthar's Way, and since I'm going to be doing the hit-and-run thing I was planning to make extensive use of <i>gaseous form</i>, until I read it over and determined that it sucks. I mean, really, the only advantage for Drakthar there is that he can pass through nearly anything- he still has the same DR and he can only move 10 ft. in an action. I mean, does anyone else think it's odd that he can turn gaseous and still be hit with normal weapons, assuming you do enough damage? The barbarian in the party does 10 damage minimum with no magical enhancement. It would be smarter for Drakthar to just do a full retreat and turn gaseous only if he accidentally runs into something he can't climb over.
I personally think <i>gaseous form</i> should render you invulnerable to non-magical attacks, or at the very least give you the same benefit as being incorporeal. I dunno, maybe that's a game balance issue, but it raises a serious "this makes no sense" issue with me.
What you describe is not entirely correct. First of all the Gaseous Form Speed for a Vampire is 20 feet. That means with two Move actions he can cover 40 feet per round (hustle speed). Than if you consider him in light armour he would get a running speed (x4) giving him 80 feet travel distance per combat round.
But a much better option to get away would be to turn gaseous first, get out of weapon reach, turn into a bat and fly away.
I will have this encounter tomorrow and let you know how it went.
Yeah, I totally forgot that vampires can move at 20 ft/round in gaseous form, but otherwise it's exactly like the spell, which says you can't run while gaseous.
Otherwise, thanks for all the suggestions, guys- now I don't have to alter the spell in order to give Drakthar a clean getaway. (although I still say you should technically be incorporeal while gaseous...)
Yeah, I totally forgot that vampires can move at 20 ft/round in gaseous form, but otherwise it's exactly like the spell, which says you can't run while gaseous.
Otherwise, thanks for all the suggestions, guys- now I don't have to alter the spell in order to give Drakthar a clean getaway. (although I still say you should technically be incorporeal while gaseous...)
Perhaps you're missing the caveat in the vampire's fast healing description that states that if in gaseous form because taken to 0 hp, he is immune to further damage (unless a stake is driven through his heart, immersed in running water, etc.). Obviously, as a flight technique to avoid reaching torpor, the ability leaves a little to be desired, but with a wall of minions between himself (when he achieves his coffin) and the pursuing PCs, he only needs a little over an hour to be his fully menacing self once more . . .
Perhaps you're missing the caveat in the vampire's fast healing description that states that if in gaseous form because taken to 0 hp, he is immune to further damage (unless a stake is driven through his heart, immersed in running water, etc.). Obviously, as a flight technique to avoid reaching torpor, the ability leaves a little to be desired, but with a wall of minions between himself (when he achieves his coffin) and the pursuing PCs, he only needs a little over an hour to be his fully menacing self once more . . .
There is that, yes. Really the only reason I mention it is, in my perfect world, Drakthar shows up and harasses the PCs for a couple of rounds, goes gaseous form and escapes to plague them later- but at 40 ft/round the whole party will just kind of trot behind him and trail him wherever he goes. They've fragged half of his guards so far, so they can keep up pretty easily unless he drags them through the remaining goblins. Hitting him shouldn't be an issue once he flies up to the ceiling- from there I guess he'll go bat form for the extra mobility like suggested. I would like for him to make his last stand in front of his coffin without having been taken to 0 hp, but best laid plans of mice, men, and DMs...
Under his stats it says that he is immune to physical attacks in gasseous form. Thats how I played it. Having said that when ever he would harass the party in my game he would go gasseous to get away and a bunch of goblins would then turn up to cover his retreat.
I also had him pursue the party into the city when they retreated since it was night and when the guard turned up he turned into a bat and dissappeared. My group lives in Ghelve's Locks and since its a business he could waltz in uninvited. Muhahaha. After that they made it clear that Ghelve's Locks was no longer a business but the home of the party.
They really hated the guy by the end and were happy to stake him, burn him and drown him.