Does merciful give you a -4 to hit?

[Thank Dog]

I've done a search on Enforcer + Merciful, a combination that I just discovered (all by myself, even though I now recognise that it's already well known... I just wanted everyone to know how brilliant I am in discovering it myself), but couldn't find any mention of lethal weapons doing non-lethal damage and the rule about the penalty to those attacks.

So does the merciful power mean all your attacks are at -4? I'm guessing not but it's one of those things that I'd like to hear some consensus on from the powers that be, ie. forum members here, so that it doesn't become an issue later on in my group.

'cause let's face it, it's a pretty devastating combo that I just know people at my table are going to respond with, "Wtf?"

[MrSin]

No, it doesn't give you a -4. Pretty sure the point is that it doesn't. There's also a trait called Sword of Mercy which is a cheap way to get enforcer to work for you.

[Faelyn]

No, the Merciful ability does not give a -4 penalty to attack. It simply modifies the way the weapon deals damage. Think of it this way; when the Merciful ability is activated on a slashing weapon... the edge on the blade becomes dull and rounded.

The only time a character receives the -4 penalty is when using a standard lethal weapon to deal non-lethal damage. (i.e. Using a standard longsword to strike with the flat of the blade. It's not intended to be used in that fashion so it is awkward.)

Hope that answers your question.

*EDIT* Gah! Ninja'ed!

[Are]

No, you don't take the -4 penalty when using a merciful weapon. All the damage it deals is nonlethal damage, so the rule about using a weapon that normally deals lethal damage to instead deal nonlethal damage doesn't apply.

In fact, I believe that's the main point of that particular weapon property :)

***

Edit: Thoroughly ninja'd!

[MyTThor]

Yeah if you still got the -4 all there wouldn't be any benefit to the weapon quality, just the downside that you CAN'T do lethal damage.

I do like the combo but beware of putting all your eggs in one basket of a build that unravels in an anti-magic field or if your weapon is stolen/broken.

[blackbloodtroll]

MyTThor wrote:

Yeah if you still got the -4 all there wouldn't be any benefit to the weapon quality, just the downside that you CAN'T do lethal damage.

I do like the combo but beware of putting all your eggs in one basket of a build that unravels in an anti-magic field or if your weapon is stolen/broken.

You can command a Merciful weapon to suppress it's ability.

[blahpers]

Seems like a great setup for a a paladin or cleracle, or a typical low-Charisma bruiser with Intimidating Prowess who values "discouraging" enemies over outright killing them. Plus, it's a nice bonus for the unusual PC who isn't a bloodthirsty maniac.