How it Works: Trait- Humble Beginnings

[Alphavoltario]

Simple question here:

Humble Beginnings:

You didn’t have any intention of becoming an adventurer, but a single, unexpected confrontation changed everything. Choose one of the following: boot, bucket, frying pan, mug, rolling pin, spade, or stool. You are treated as having the Catch Off- Guard feat when wielding the chosen item. (These items should all be considered improvised melee weapons that deal 1d4 points of bludgeoning damage.)

If you choose 'boot' do you have to hold it in you hand (a la grandmother chanclas style) or can you be wearing it and 'kick' someone with the 'wielded' boot?

The boot seems to be the odd one out with the fact that it's the only wearable item that doesn't need to be held in hand to hit someone... technically.

Also as a bonus question: Is this cheating the Unarmed Strike feat? (Yes ik it calls out CoG, but kicking with a boot seems different.) Not in the sense of qualifying for other feats, just in the sense of cheating an ability.

[Jared Walter 356]

Alphavoltario wrote:

Simple question here:

** spoiler omitted **

If you choose 'boot' do you have to hold it in you hand (a la grandmother chanclas style) or can you be wearing it and 'kick' someone with the 'wielded' boot?

The boot seems to be the odd one out with the fact that it's the only wearable item that doesn't need to be held in hand to hit someone... technically.

Also as a bonus question: Is this cheating the Unarmed Strike feat? (Yes ik it calls out CoG, but kicking with a boot seems different.) Not in the sense of qualifying for other feats, just in the sense of cheating an ability.

I would rule that in order for this to work, the boot needs to be yielded in your hand. Here's my reasoning:

#1) A boot kicked with is being used for it's intended purpose, and wouldn't qualify as in improvised weapon.
#2) Wearing an item, is not the same as wielding an item, and Piazo has been pretty consistent on this: Arcane Bond on weapon, etc.

[Alphavoltario]

Jared Walter 356 wrote:

#1) A boot kicked with is being used for it's intended purpose, and wouldn't qualify as in improvised weapon.

Technically a boot is meant for wearing. Kicking is an action that a person instinctively knows how to do. The boot isn't necessary to that action (but lethally injuring someone with shoe attached is... a little outside the norm, unless it has spikes... then we're delving into Blade Boot slightly).

I see your point here, and chanclas style would still make for a funny concept. Was trying to find a way to fight 'hands free'. Or just without any use of the upper body (and not wanting to dip for brawler/monk/UAS).

Jared Walter 356 wrote:

#2) Wearing an item, is not the same as wielding an item, and Piazo has been pretty consistent on this: Arcane Bond on weapon, etc.

Ehhh....? I mean unless you have a forum post that I'm unable to find... Well, Arcane Bond is worded as that Amulets/Rings should be worn (kinda visible if you do) and weapons/rods/wands should be in hand (for this purpose 'wielded'). This makes sense as it's hard to focus with that magic dagger if it's tucked away in your side sheath. From my knowledge anyways it's not the greatest example to bring up as the 'wearable' in this scenario... is... well... not substantial enough to warrant being used as a weapon (rings and 'most' neckwear).

The reason on this that I'm trying to understand if you can wear it, is that the newest addition of 'handwraps' in the Martial Arts Handbook, which are 'wielded' in hand by 'wearing' them (implied not written), made me re-question the use in this manner.

At then end of the day, I feel 'worn boots being used as a improvised weapon' might be pushing the envelope a little bit for organized play, but for what I'm using it for is a fairly lax home game.

[Cevah]

You ever use a shoe to smash a bug? I have. Improvised weapon.

/cevah

[Alphavoltario]

Cevah wrote:

You ever use a shoe to smash a bug? I have. Improvised weapon.

/cevah

(.-.)? Okay? That... isn't what's being called into question... The question as of now, is can you wear it and it's still a improvised weapon? Or do you have to hold it?

Officially I'm now believing it's held in hand.

Home games, whatever the DM decides.

[blahpers]

Characters kick while wearing boots all the time. Mechanically, they're striking with their unarmed strike when doing so, not the boot. There's no functional difference between such a kick and what you're proposing, so no, that wouldn't be an example of fighting with the boot as an improvised weapon. If you wanted to use the boot as an improvised weapon, you'd need to propose the manner in which you were using it, and that manner would need to be obviously using the boot as, itself, a substitute for a "real" weapon.