Heya - maybe my search-fu stinks (entirely possible) but I can't find an answer to this question...
Is there a size restriction to the disarm maneuver ala the trip maneuver?
My understanding is that trip can only be performed on an opponent that is one size different from the attacker.
I don't see this same restriction on disarm. Sooooooo.....a gnome can disarm a giant?
Thanks in advance!
Absurd? Yes. Possible by rules? Also yes. Keep in mind the size modifier is added to CMB and CMD checks so it's kind of taken into account already.
Trip does explicitly mention sizes, whereas disarm doesn't.
Maybe your gnome kicks the giant in the shins and he drops his rocks?
Absurd? Yes. Possible by rules? Also yes. Keep in mind the size modifier is added to CMB and CMD checks so it's kind of taken into account already.
Trip does explicitly mention sizes, whereas disarm doesn't.
Maybe your gnome kicks the giant in the shins and he drops his rocks?
It's not really that absurd. By the mechanics, a giant (huge) would only get a +2 to her CMB, plus her strength (high) and dexterity. A gnome focusing on strength (or, more likely dexterity) with the appropriate feats (disarm, improved) would be rocking a +4 from feats alone, and her size bonus would cancel out her combat maneuver penalty. Heck, if she were a ranger who focused on a racial enemy (favored enemy +10) she could practically spit and knock it out of the giant's hand.
Just sayin'. :D
I meant thematically absurd. Not by the rules. Small creature disarming a huge one and all.
Well, even Grapple is possible among creatures of very different size - in fact, it's the only way some monsters can use their Constrict ability, if the size of their opponent is too big for their Grab ability (like Hamatula Devils - their Impale ability works on each Grapple check, but regular Hamatulas can use their Grab ability only on Small or smaller creatures, being only Medium size).
The list of Combat Maneuvers says:
Bull Rush - size limitation (no more than one size larger, no limits on smaller opponents)
Disarm - not mentioned
Grapple - not mentioned
Overrun - size limitation (no more than one size larger, no limits on smaller opponents)
Sunder - not mentioned
Trip - size limitation (no more than one size larger, no limits on smaller opponents)
So, as you can see, exactly 50% of the Combat Maneuvers do not mention size limitation (and this is not an omission, IMHO - especially for Grapple, which was rewritten from scratch by Paizo).
Just my 2c.
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Well the rules can only represent things to a certain degree. I certainly could think of a few things that might cause a giant to drop it's club while fighting a gnome.
The actual dice roles and grid movement rules are an attempt to being order to what is the traditionally swirling movement of combat. Not everything action of the same type is going to be represented by the same thing thematically, nor should it.
Perhaps a dodge at just the right moment causing the giant's club to hit the ground too hard to hold onto could certainly cause the giant's grip to loosen. Mayhap a stab from what to the giant is simply an over-large needle right to a sensitive spot on his hand causes him to yelp in pain, dropping his club as he clutches his finger to nurse a wound. Even a quick kick to the shins might cause a similar yelp if even for a brief moment, long enough for something to spill from his grasp.
Obviously I'm not suggesting you all think only in terms of mechanics, that every creature is little more then a cube of various sizes which may or may not have low-light vision in your minds, but it's good to remind people about this kind of stuff.
Anyway, no there is not a restriction in the rules for size differences and disarm attempts. A pixie able to stack enough CMB modifiers could totally slap a storm giant's sword from it's hands. It's just up to the DM and the players to figure out just how it did it. :)
(Oh, cause I feel like adding this in, don't forget your also completely able to just add or throw out whatever rules in a role-playing game that you want to if it makes the game more fun for both the players and the DM!)