If an assassin studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly either paralyzing or killing the target (assassin's choice). Studying the victim is a standard action. The death attack fails if the target detects the assassin or recognizes the assassin as an enemy (although the attack might still be a sneak attack if the target is denied his Dexterity bonus to his Armor Class or is flanked). If the victim of such a death attack fails a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the assassin's class level + the assassin's Int modifier) against the kill effect, she dies. If the saving throw fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is rendered helpless and unable to act for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per level of the assassin. If the victim's saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once the assassin has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the death attack within the next 3 rounds.
If a death attack is attempted and fails (the victim makes her save) or if the assassin does not launch the attack within 3 rounds of completing the study, 3 new rounds of study are required before he can attempt another death attack.
Is `studying a target` just a perception check?
why bother studying a paralyzed victim... the assassin can automatically kill them anyway with the Coup de Grace rules.
why bother studying a paralyzed victim... the assassin can automatically kill them anyway with the Coup de Grace rules.
I think he means the assassin is paralyzed and putting his downtime to good use. When it wears off he guts the bastard responsible.
That's a tough one. Restrained, like being shackled or tied up, or even under Hold Person, absolutely. But paralysis implies nerve malfunctions, whether due to magic or venom or whatever. That may make a significant difference.
why bother studying a paralyzed victim... the assassin can automatically kill them anyway with the Coup de Grace rules.I think he means the assassin is paralyzed and putting his downtime to good use. When it wears off he guts the bastard responsible.
ah... that would make more sense, yes... in that case I would say in most cases no, the paralyzed assassin could not study his target... but I could see certain situations where it might be possible.
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** spoiler omitted **
Is `studying a target` just a perception check?
Well, "Studying the victim is a Standard Action"
A perception check is either reactive or a move action. So the perception check is out.
Acording to the Core Rulebook, pg 566, a paralyzed character is "frozen in place and unable to move or act".
I would rule this would prevent "studying" (a Standard Action) and thus prevent the use of the Death Attack ability.
Just my opinion though.
** spoiler omitted **
Is `studying a target` just a perception check?
Well, "Studying the victim is a Standard Action"
A perception check is either reactive or a move action. So the perception check is out.
Acording to the Core Rulebook, pg 566, a paralyzed character is "frozen in place and unable to move or act".
I would rule this would prevent "studying" (a Standard Action) and thus prevent the use of the Death Attack ability.
Just my opinion though.
Makes sense - imagine having "pins and needles" through your entire body. Couldn't concentrate at all.
I think the Rule of Cool says "Yes"
I normally temper that rule, but I'd have to say yes as well.
However, that is all annulled if the target recognizes the assassin "as a threat", which would be almost every situation where an assassin would get paralyzed.
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why bother studying a paralyzed victim... the assassin can automatically kill them anyway with the Coup de Grace rules.I think he means the assassin is paralyzed and putting his downtime to good use. When it wears off he guts the bastard responsible.
That would be a wonderful visual, and perhaps a just ending depending on the storyline at that point.....
Just thought of a new "ouch" ability for a Bard/Assassin.
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Since a paralyzed creature can take mental actions, I would say, "Yes. An assassin can study a victim while paralyzed as long as the victim is visible to the assassin and as long as the victim does not recognize the assassin as a threat."
That was my initial gut reaction as well, until I gave it a bit of thought. How wide of an area of vision does the "typical" humanoid have? I am guessing a paralyzed, unable to move in any way, assassin would have an area of focus perhaps 2' by 2' directly in front of them. So unless the target remained immobile for 3 rounds while the assassin observed them, it might be tough to truly "study" and thus decide the best striking point for the attack. And if the target is unmoving, would the assassin really be able to judge the best striking point for purposes of this attack? I imagine the assassin is watching body language, stance, bearing, agility etc for the opening needed to inflict a single killing blow. (Kind of like the old saying: watch out when they're patting you on the back, they are looking for the best spot to stab you).
Off the top of my head I am unsure if the "study" period must be within a certain distance to gain the benefit? The further away the victim is, the broader the field of vision for the assassin would be, of course. By the same token vital detail might be lost after a certain distance.
Now, a creature with mutiple eyes, mutiple heads, blind sense/sight, scent or a host of other enhanced senses may get a better "picture" of their target. As would a large or bigger creature (greater field of vision).
I could see giving a gibbering mouther, ettin, hydra or dragon assassin such a chance for study (assuming adequate intelligence to be an assassin and use said class ability) if paralyzed. The target would have to remain in view for 3 uninterupted rounds (or the equivalent of three standard actions during those 3 rounds).
But then you still have the "percieved threat" issue. As long as the target was the one that paralyzed the assassin, there must have been a reason for it. So there might be a perception on the part of the target the assassin is harmless if they don't realize the paralyzation is about to end (or just has), allowing a suprise round.
Thoughts?
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
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Since a paralyzed creature can take mental actions, I would say, "Yes. An assassin can study a victim while paralyzed as long as the victim is visible to the assassin and as long as the victim does not recognize the assassin as a threat."That was my initial gut reaction as well, until I gave it a bit of thought. How wide of an area of vision does the "typical" humanoid have? I am guessing a paralyzed, unable to move in any way, assassin would have an area of focus perhaps 2' by 2' directly in front of them. So unless the target remained immobile for 3 rounds while the assassin observed them, it might be tough to truly "study" and thus decide the best striking point for the attack. And if the target is unmoving, would the assassin really be able to judge the best striking point for purposes of this attack? I imagine the assassin is watching body language, stance, bearing, agility etc for the opening needed to inflict a single killing blow. (Kind of like the old saying: watch out when they're patting you on the back, they are looking for the best spot to stab you).
Off the top of my head I am unsure if the "study" period must be within a certain distance to gain the benefit? The further away the victim is, the broader the field of vision for the assassin would be, of course. By the same token vital detail might be lost after a certain distance.
Now, a creature with mutiple eyes, mutiple heads, blind sense/sight, scent or a host of other enhanced senses may get a better "picture" of their target. As would a large or bigger creature (greater field of vision).
I could see giving a gibbering mouther, ettin, hydra or dragon assassin such a chance for study (assuming adequate intelligence to be an assassin and use said class ability) if paralyzed. The target would have to remain in view for 3 uninterupted rounds (or the equivalent of three standard actions during those 3 rounds).
But then you still have the "percieved threat" issue. As long as the target was the one...
Assassins would probably have fairly well-developed peripheral vision and non-humans might naturally have better developed peripheral vision. Perhaps a Perception check in in order to reflect the need to make sense of information that cannot be easily seen due to paralysis. Racial bonuses on perception would be accounted for, as would an assassin's development of their perception to see things not easily seen by untrained humans.
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I would have to be in the "no" camp with this one. As paralysis restricts all movement of the target, this would include not only eye movement, but would also then affect the ability to selectively focus. Without being able to actively follow the movement of the intended target and focus upon the various aspects of their movement, the assassin would not be able to pick out the target's weak points to exploit.
Just my 2cp.