Bleeding Attack (Ex)
Benefit: A rogue with this ability can cause living opponents to bleed by hitting them with a sneak attack. This attack causes the target to take 1 additional point of damage each round for each die of the rogue's sneak attack (e.g., 4d6 equals 4 points of bleed). Bleeding creatures take that amount of damage every round at the start of each of their turns. The bleeding can be stopped by a DC 15 Heal check or the application of any effect that heals hit point damage.
Special: Bleeding damage from this ability does not stack with itself. Bleeding damage bypasses any damage reduction the creature might possess.
There is no duration on this? No maximum amount of bleed before it clots by itself? The creature continues to bleed until a heal check is made?
So, I sneak attack/bleeding attack an allosaurus, and climb a tree out of reach. I sit back and watch it bleed to death over several rounds.
Allosaurus isn't the best example because of it's high speed - I was going to suggest that I simply run away. It won't work against creatures/people that can perform a heal check on itself.
** spoiler omitted **
There is no duration on this? No maximum amount of bleed before it clots by itself? The creature continues to bleed until a heal check is made?
So, I sneak attack/bleeding attack an allosaurus, and climb a tree out of reach. I sit back and watch it bleed to death over several rounds.
Allosaurus isn't the best example because of it's high speed - I was going to suggest that I simply run away. It won't work against creatures/people that can perform a heal check on itself.
Sounds about right, from a real world perspective at least. I stab someone deep enough to severely wound them, if they don't receive some kind of medical attention they will bleed out.
Sounds about right, from a real world perspective at least. I stab someone deep enough to severely wound them, if they don't receive some kind of medical attention they will bleed out.
That's what I thought too. I'm just picturing my Rogue 4 against this CR7 allosaurus. Seems too easy - although the escape from it after just one hit wouldn't be easy...
That's what I thought too. I'm just picturing my Rogue 4 against this CR7 allosaurus. Seems too easy - although the escape from it after just one hit wouldn't be easy...
Sounds about right, from a real world perspective at least. I stab someone deep enough to severely wound them, if they don't receive some kind of medical attention they will bleed out.
You could argue that the rogue doesn't get full experience for the combat encounter, if that's the problem.
Otherwise, though, yes it is easy.
The damage of it is rather pityful, and even a creature with 1 Wis (-5 modifier) will eventually manage a DC 15 heal check. (and most have alot more wisdom than 1)
So if they bother to stop it (because you climed on the tree and they can't eat you this round), then it will probably run for 2-3 rounds max, before they managed to stop it.
If you actually keep them in the fight though, so they don't really have a standard action to heal, and it's an enemy that's not dead after 2 rounds, then it might actually rank up some damage, but even then, it's not that awesome.
The damage of it is rather pityful, and even a creature with 1 Wis (-5 modifier) will eventually manage a DC 15 heal check. (and most have alot more wisdom than 1)
So if they bother to stop it (because you climed on the tree and they can't eat you this round), then it will probably run for 2-3 rounds max, before they managed to stop it.
Can animals and other non-intelligent/non-sentient beings even make Heal checks on themselves? I mean, I know most animals have a WIS of 10-12 or so, and that Heal checks can be made untrained... but doesn't common sense have to come into play some?
Can animals and other non-intelligent/non-sentient beings even make Heal checks on themselves? I mean, I know most animals have a WIS of 10-12 or so, and that Heal checks can be made untrained... but doesn't common sense have to come into play some?The damage of it is rather pityful, and even a creature with 1 Wis (-5 modifier) will eventually manage a DC 15 heal check. (and most have alot more wisdom than 1)
So if they bother to stop it (because you climed on the tree and they can't eat you this round), then it will probably run for 2-3 rounds max, before they managed to stop it.
I think it's natural for creatures to lick their wounds and all that, I guess that could count.
A Heal DC 15 is not exaclty a ruptured spleen so you need surgery or bleed out in 5 minutes, it's something unpleasant but not immediately life threatening.
Good points from everyone.
I'm not sure about the partial experience idea, as it is a good use of the player's abilities (and I am the player)
As a GM, I would be sorely tempted to have the dino lick its wounds as a Heal Check, forcing the rogue from the tree, to keep the combat interesting.
I really like the idea of being able to move on to the next foe knowing that this one will bleed to death in one or two rounds.
well I considered this before, the heal check doesn't seem a good fit for an animal, but RAW there is nothing preventing them from making a check. I just imagine it can stop the bleeding when it takes the time to calm and get to it's senses, if you keep chasing it and don't allow for it to rest it will eventually bleed out. Altogether I think the bleed ability could have been done better, but it hasn't been an issue in my games.
You don't have to get experience for every encounter, especially if it is extremely easy.. burning down a forest could theoretically kill a huge number of creatures, that doesnt make you an instant level 10 wizard.
Given that most animals in nature are smart enough to run away from danger, it is entirely probable that the Allosaurus will run away. Since that particular dinosaur is probably aggressive, it is equally probable that the dinosaur will attack or ram the tree, causing the tree to take damage and you to make balance checks because the dinosaur is rocking your world, literally.
Animals also have developed instincts, like rolling around in mud to clot wounds, or eating plants/bark that helps blood thicken. There are numerous examples in nature.
The point is that a bleeding attack is useful, but most DMs won't let it work to a ridiculous extent.