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Nets

Uruush

First Post
The information on nets in the PHB indicates that they have 5 hit points. The DCs to break out of them or escape from them are relatively difficult, but their hit points are very low. Can a character simply hit the net with their sword for 5 points to escape? If so, why would anyone do anything different? Are nets, then, basically good only against unarmed characters? (Even then it seems like it would only take a round or two to do 5 points of damage with one's unarmed attacks).
 

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Lamoni

First Post
Matthew Gagan said:
The information on nets in the PHB indicates that they have 5 hit points. The DCs to break out of them or escape from them are relatively difficult, but their hit points are very low. Can a character simply hit the net with their sword for 5 points to escape? If so, why would anyone do anything different? Are nets, then, basically good only against unarmed characters? (Even then it seems like it would only take a round or two to do 5 points of damage with one's unarmed attacks).

It is very easy to cut your way our of a net... just like in real life. If you have a net thrown on you while carrying a dagger or a sword it wouldn't be hard to cut a hole. However, it takes some time. You need a fairly large hole to get out which involves cutting a lot of ropes or cords. How we handle it is that you need to cut it 3 times (taking 3 rounds). Or you could try to break out or escape in one round. If you don't have a weapon in hand, it takes a full round to retrieve one before you can start cutting. Also, many weapons don't cut well (like maces, staffs, spears, spiked chains, etc).

We probably make the net too powerful by requiring 3 attacks, but it isn't like the net is going to ever hold an armed person for long. It does delay them though. If you want to hold someone for a long time, you need to defeat them, disarm them, and then tie them up or lock them in a jail cell.
 

Hecateus

First Post
What if a net is barbed? Ie, it has fishing hooks in it which damage anyone who struggles. How long would it take to pry one'self free safely?
 

MerakSpielman

First Post
Hecateus said:
What if a net is barbed? Ie, it has fishing hooks in it which damage anyone who struggles. How long would it take to pry one'self free safely?
Fishhooks cause only superficial damage in D&D terms. (Of couse, in RL the pain of ripping out a hook makes it more than worth the effort to do it carefully!) I would rule that such a net could be removed (without cutting) in a minute or two without damage, or in a few rounds suffering 1hp of damage per round.
 

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