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Does anyone allow a PC to feign death during combat? It has been proposed by some players that you should be able to Bluff death (opposed by Sense Motive) during combat to either prevent being the target of another blow that would surely kill you, or perhaps a rogue to gain a tactical advantage for sneak attack. My view is that it would require an immediate action on the part of the player to fall down as a result of damage received and then a bluff check to fool the opponent. Allowing those actions as immediate or non-actions would seem to go against the normal game mechanics, but it might be a sound tactic. Thoughts??
I would share your concerns.
I could see this done as a readied action, or with a feat (Improved Feign Death) perhaps as a "readied move" action for the next time they are hit. Also at least the same action each round thereafter to maintain the pretense. Plus holding their breath, or even suffocation checks (since you don't look as dead if you have lungs full of air.)
It shouldn't be easy - it used to be a 3rd level spell and a mid-level monk ability (1st edition). And in those cases you were virtually unconscious for the duration (could smell and hear, but not see or feel) and it took a full round to rouse yourself.
Feigning unconsciousness instead should probably require the same initial action, but only a move/swift to maintain since you don't have to control all your autonomic reactions.
I agree that a readied action is required, or a feat/class ability, however if a player wanted i think i would allow the bluff check/feigned death on the players next turn at a penalty. Certainly people dont always go down the moment you hit them, and the 'reality' of combat is everything is happening almost simultaneously, and we just go one after the other for convenience. So i would allow a bluff check to act as if you almost withstood the blow but then fell to your wounds.
Is it really an issue if the PC is so close to death that he wants to pretend to be dead to survive? And isn't tricking your opponent what the bluff skill is for? I say let the player run with it. Eventually someone will come allong who succeeds the check and stabs him with the nice bonus for him being prone.