So, I was looking at high level magic items recently and I came across an interesting little number called the Executioner's Hand. However, this one line within it got me scratching my head.
When wielded in a coup de grace attempt against a helpless target, the executioner’s hand is treated as a vorpal weapon, and if the attack is a critical threat, it is automatically confirmed as a critical hit.
Which I thought was all well and good for flavor text and all. But then I got to thinking, isn't a coup de grace a special combat maneuver that doesn't use attack rolls?
You automatically hit and score a critical hit. If the defender survives the damage, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die. A rogue also gets her extra sneak attack damage against a helpless opponent when delivering a coup de grace.
So I'm sitting here asking myself what critical threat roll the Executioner's Hand supposed to confirm that doesn't already get from the Coup De Grace action?
yeah, seems like a totally pointless ability that is completely nonfunctional.
You have it 100% correct.
Yes, seem like a brain fart.
I'd rule 50% chance of vorpal. A Greastsword crits on a 19-20 so that makes sense to me. Not that the Vorpal bit matters much anyways since its a Coup de Grace.
I'm currently under the idea that originally, the weapon was meant to always confirm critical threats, but somehow this was misprinted or misworded. Though I'm not entirely sure, it's just a theory.
I would be 100% fine for the Vorpal quality to be pure fluff when going for Coup De Graces, but with how the confirmation is mentioned, it seems like someone is missing something.
I'm currently under the idea that originally, the weapon was meant to always confirm critical threats, but somehow this was misprinted or misworded. Though I'm not entirely sure, it's just a theory.
sound a littel too good for a +11650gp i think.
Like I said, just a theory. Maybe someone else thought so too and tried to change it, but then didn't quite make sense whilst changing it. All I know is like this is similar to pre-errata Prone Shooter, wherein it changes the effect of something that doesn't exist, as written.