Unconscious opponent combat maneuvers??

[Richard McGuffin]

The slayer archetype Cutthroat lets you use the Steal combat maneuver as a swift action against dead or unconscious opponents.

Why would you need a combat maneuver at all if your target is already dead or unconscious?

[SlimGauge]

Because simply taking something from a dead or unconscious creature would usually be at least a move action. If his comrade is standing beside him, you might be provoking an AoO as well.

Instead, you're doing it faster than that (a swift action) but with a chance of failure. I'm not completely certain what effect being dead or unconscious has on that creature's CMD, though.

[fretgod99]

Even if the opponent is dead or unconscious, if you're still in combat, taking something from them is going to be a move or standard action. This lets you take something off the body of such an opponent as a swift action.

[Richard McGuffin]

Thanks for clearing that up. I guess it just speeds things up during combat.

It specifies that target gets a -10 CMD against this manuever, I don't know if thats standard or just for this ability though.

Stab and Grab wrote:

At 6th level, as a swift action a cutthroat can attempt a steal combat maneuver against a dead or unconscious target or a studied target he has just confirmed a critical hit against. A dead or unconscious opponent takes a –10 penalty to its CMD against this maneuver.

This ability replaces the slayer talent gained at 6th level.

[Claxon]

The main benefit would be (as others mention) performing the maneuver as a swift aciton. It comes with a slight risk if there is anyone else to threaten you though.

As a dead creature has effectively 0 strength and dex a penalty of -5 should be applied for each to CMD, instead of their normal bonus. Effectively they should probably have a CMD of 0.

Edit: Look at that, the penalty listed in the ability coincides with what I said.

[claudekennilol]

SlimGauge wrote:

Because simply taking something from a dead or unconscious creature would usually be at least a move action. If his comrade is standing beside him, you might be provoking an AoO as well.

Instead, you're doing it faster than that (a swift action) but with a chance of failure. I'm not completely certain what effect being dead or unconscious has on that creature's CMD, though.

Steal only mentions anything about provoking an attack from the target. So regardless of who else is standing nearby, you shouldn't get an Attack of Opportunity as your target for this can't react.