Bolas and damage - very quick question

[CountMRVHS]

When a character uses bolas to make a ranged trip attack, do the bolas do damage (assuming the attack hits)?

[blahpers]

There's no text indicating that it would, so it looks like it's just like a melee trip attack--that is, no.

[CountMRVHS]

Good point - thanks! I guess I was a little confused how the rules worked for doing combat maneuvers with weapons.

[Odraude]

On the chart, it says it does 1d4 damage, but it is specifically non-lethal. And it is a thrown weapon so you add your strength to the damage. So it'll do 1d4+Strength damage, but since it is a naturally nonlethal, you shouldn't incur the -4 penalty to attack rolls.

[blahpers]

Odraude wrote:

On the chart, it says it does 1d4 damage, but it is specifically non-lethal. And it is a thrown weapon so you add your strength to the damage. So it'll do 1d4+Strength damage, but since it is a naturally nonlethal, you shouldn't incur the -4 penalty to attack rolls.

That would work for an attack, but not for a trip.

[Odraude]

I assumed the trip happens with the damage. I guess it doesn't say either way admittedly.

It's interesting...

[CountMRVHS]

Yeah, it sort of makes you wonder why they bothered giving it damage. Who would want to use it as a damage-dealer, given its low damage die and short range?

It might have made sense to treat it like a net.

[Odraude]

Well the damage isn't necessary so much as the awesome ability to trip at a range. Now that is tight, yo.

[zrionhil]

I know this is an old post but, the answer to who would use bola to damage, is Sap Master. Especially against creatures that cant be tripped. You can attack at range and apply your non leather sneak attack damage.

[Daw]

Wouldn't bolas both trip and entangle?
Also, as the cords wrap around the target, the radius of spin shortens so the weights' velocity increases sharply until they strike, causing damage as well as a trip.
Also, if the bolas wrap around the neck there is a real chance of strangulation.
Fortunately, there is no physics in this wargame.

[Ascalaphus]

*fails save vs. necromancy*

It wouldn't both trip and damage. Normally you can't even attempt trip maneuvers with ranged weapons; with the bolas you can. And since it's at a distance, you're not at risk of AoO if you lack Improved Trip.

Also, the base damage of a weapon is only a small factor in the effective damage you're doing. Again, doing nonlethal damage at range without penalties is pretty nice. The whole weapon is good for say, a bounty hunter.