|
As per the subject. For example, let's take the kobold's prehensile tail ART. Can it be used to...
- Draw a non-hidden weapon?
- Enact the somatic components of a spell if you have both hands full?
- Reload a weapon if you have both hands full?
- Draw an item from your backpack?
- Pick up an item on the floor?
- Wield a manufactured weapon?
- Hold a weapon to free your hands?
- Support a weapon so that you can have one hand free?
Yes/no/maybe so? Have any designers weighed in on previous threads on this matter?
EDIT: Please don't just reply yes/no to each, but explain your reasoning to the confusing ones.
In order I would say:
probably
no
depends (I would say yes, usually)
probably
yes
no
yes (but again, no using it as a weapon)
yes, but not helping to wield it to be used as a weapon
but that is just me, others will say otherwise
I'm pretty sure the rules are very clear that you have to use hands to manipulate somatic items for spells, and the rules for prehensile tails/hair is that they can't wield (or attack with) weapons. Other than that the limit is probably going to be strength based and if someone wanted to do something like pick up a coin with their prehensile tail, I might call for a dex check.
Let's give this a go, keeping in mind that some of this is interpretation, and the rules text pretty much requires GM interpretation for this sort of thing:
1. Yes. It would beggar belief if a kobold could draw a hidden weapon but not a non-hidden weapon. It just doesn't provide any benefit above draing the weapon with your hand.
2. (interpretation) Prehensile it may be, but it lacks manipulators sufficient to form somatic components. Wrapping around a dagger hilt is one thing, but twiddling fingers and forming signs is another.
3. I wish. My goblin gunslinger would start playing the reincarnate lotto if he could TWF and still reload as a free action.
4. See 1.
5. See 1.
6. (interpretation) I doubt it. Most similar abilities involving long prehensile appendages have specific language forbidding wielding weapons in them.
7. That you could do. If you can draw it, you can presumably hold it. In-house, I'd give a bonus to disarm attempts against something held thusly, but that's totally out of RAW bounds.
8. Not sure what this means. If you mean use it as one of the hands for a two-handed or ranged weapon, see 6.
The Kobold's prehensile tail is different from a Tiefling's prehensile tail.
Prehensile Tail: Your tail is especially flexible and strong, so you've learned to use it for both movement and simple tricks. You gain a +2 racial bonus on Acrobatics and Climb checks, and you can use your tail to draw a hidden weapon as a move action instead of as a standard action. This racial trait replaces the armor racial trait.
Prehensile Tail: Many tieflings have tails, but some have long, flexible tails that can be used to carry items. While they cannot wield weapons with their tails, they can use them to retrieve small, stowed objects carried on their persons as a swift action. This racial trait replaces fiendish sorcery.
Draw a non-hidden weapon ? I'd say Kobold yes. Usually, drawing a non-hidden weapon is a move action (unless you've got quickdraw) so you're not really gaining anything. I wouldn't let him Quickdraw the weapon, however. Tieflings might, but are likely limited to small weapons like daggers.
Enact somatic components ? No. Absolutely no mention is made of either tail being able to do this.
Reload a weapon ? Not directly. What you could do is pass whatever's in your hand to the tail and then use your hand to reload. I think the tails themselves lack the fine dexterity to reload at normal speed.
Retrieve an item from a backpack ? Kobolds yes, but without any action advantage (that is, it takes the same action as if you did it with your hand). Tieflings yes, but only small objects, and it's only a swift action if it was on your person.
Pick up an item on the floor ? Yes, but with the same action/provoking limits as if you did it with your hands (and again, tieflings limited to small objects).
Wield a manufactured weapon? No. Tieflings expressly forbidden from doing this. Kobolds, I don't think so, not without a feat. Otherwise, why have Tail Terror and Kobold Tail Attachments ?
Hold a weapon to free your hands? Yes, see reloading, but again tieflings limited to small objects.
Support a weapon so that you can have one hand free? Not sure what you're asking here. If you're asking if the prehensile tail can provide one hand's worth for wielding a two-handed weapon, that'd be no.