RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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This is a pretty random post to make, but it seems to me that an auto-KO ability that anyone can do is a phenomenally bad idea. Imagine allowing this rule in a game. Now imagine an entire party of rogues (with maybe some spellcasting in the mix for invisibility). KO, coup-de-grace, next victim. Bad idea. When you add Sneak Attack damage into the mix, those DCs are going to be IMPOSSIBLE for people to make.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Rogue (beta p41) have Master strike (20 lvl): fortitude DC =20 + int mod.
What is impossible?
ST's DC = dmg :NO ,it's OK. And ST's DC = 10(or other) + strenght mod?
ST : failed =unconscious + nonlethaldmg ;success = nonlethal dmg.If the attack become a combat maneuver?
I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to illustrate here. If the DC were based on the rogue's STR modifier instead of damage, then it becomes a bit more feasible. Basing it off the damage dealt creates one hell of an upslope as level increases, though. If anything, I'd call it a Feat or even a rogue special ability. Certainly not just a combat maneuver that anyone could do, though, because a raging barbarian would just knock people out instead of killing them otherwise. Then have the party's rogue following behind and coup-de-gracing everything.
Rogue (beta p41) have Master strike (20 lvl): fortitude DC =20 + int mod. If the attack become a combat maneuver?
That's the 20th-level capstone ability, meant to be a super-duper reward for staying a single-classed rogue for 20 levels straight. You want to make it available to everyone, for free? That's like giving everyone 4/day 9th level spells, just for fun.
The question is :
an attack against contact AC or combat maneuver to « unconscious opponent in one attack »?
What's better?
Regarding this one single point I just wanted to say one of the worst, most game-breaking, kind of option is one that let's you "take a penalty" to hit a much easier target DC.
In other words - taking -4 to hit someone's head - I don't like it but somewhat reasonable. Taking -4 to hit someone's head, but you only have to hit their Touch AC? That's (usually) a huge *bonus* to hit, not a penalty. Every attack would then be a head strike, not for the chance to knock out, but just because it's easier to hit.
Perhaps this could be a grapple option, after pinning.
I like the simplicity of the current system: any "called shots" fall into the category of critical hits (e.g., if you get a critical hit, that means you hit them in the head/eye/other vulnerable part).
Now if you suggested allowing a critical hit to possibly knock out an opponent, that might be reasonable. Jason already came up with feats like "Sickening Critical", "Blinding Critical" and "Staggering Critical", so a "Knockout Critical" feat isn't out of the question.
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I like the concept, but the mechanics would need to take other things into effect.
Instead of TOuch AC I would use their normal AC. If they have armor, it often includes head gear, and you have raised arms and stuff also to consider.
For hitting the head specific, I would suggest a penalty of +8 to hit because the head would smaller than Small, so likely Tiny or Diminuative. I think +8 would cover it.
Would require nonlethal damage be applied. Most weapons that is another +4 penalty.
So, Target is AC+12, Victime makes Fort Save equal to Damage Dealt. On a fail they are unconcious, on a success nothing happens (well you piss them off at least).
I would also suggest the attacker take a -2 to -4 to AC while pulling this stunt.
The knockout is already represented in the game rules by nonlethal damage.
See, the assumption of D&D (and its spinoffs) is that characters are heroic; it takes a lot of punishment to knock them out or kill them. Rules that work directly contrary to that assumption have to take into account the fact that you're esentially scrapping the existing combat system and making a new one -- i.e., you need to start from the ground up. If you can insta-KO by a called shot with a club to the head, why can't you insta-kill with a called shot to the heart using a rapier? Get rid of hp entirely, if quick-and-dirty combat is what you're after. If not, accept the existing rules, as silly as they are, and inflict nonlethal (subdual) damage if you want to KO someone.
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I personally would not use it as it presents one more layer of stuff to do and consider.
But if anyone wants to use it, I suggest the method I proposed above.
And yeah, if you are going to use this for KOs then it makes sense to allow One Shot kills also.
Which is more realistic after all.
But it does alter fantasy combat substantially.
To be honest DMs should average at least one PC kill a session with this :)
I used toplay a horror game where we averaged a PC kill per session. It was great. A lot of people complain that 3.x rules do not work well with horror because the risk of death is so low. This would change that.