D&D 3E/3.5 D&D 3.5 Rule Oddities

[Tharkon]

Taken exactly as written, a Line type spell that starts at the corner of your square and runs exactly north/south along that dividing line between the squares won't actually affect anyone or anything in the squares on either side.

I would expect the borders of a square to be part of that square. Either way, it still hits targets that occupy multiple squares that span squares on opposite ends of the line. And also, why is it odd that it is possible to aim a lightning bolt between your enemies. It's not the smartest thing to do, but certainly possible.

Drowning rules.

Have you ever noticed there's no way to stop drowning?

Common sense dictates you stop drowning when you are no longer immersed.
Of course since you can't take any actions while drowning you'll have to depend on a savior or some good fortune.
If you are unconscious you are still unconscious, if you are dying you are still dying unless someone applies first aid or you manage to stabilize (10% chance each round).

I think there is. You just have to get some place where you can breath. In a single round. When you're at zero hit points. And can't take more than a single, non-strenuous action.

So it's really very simple. Honest.

When you're at zero hitpoints you fall unconscious. I believe that being unconscious prevents any actions.

Actually, it's quite possible to drown after leaving the water if there's still liquid in your lungs. It's called secondary drowning. Example.

This would probably be if drowning brought you into the dying stage and first aid isn't applied.

Here's one.

Did you spot the oddity? Everyone within 90 feet of where it hits is stunned for a round, but its range increment is 30 feet.

And, realistically, most battles take place at closer ranges anyway, so it's a great weapon that you really don't want to use, since you can stun yourself and all your allies every time you use it.

Just make sure you either have immunity to stunning, a good Fortitude save or throw it further than 3 increments (-6 penalty on attack).

Ha! Detail retentiveness strikes again!! Why don't we also include a percentile chance for contracting amoebic meningitis if you partially drown in a stagnant pool? Or copping blood poisoning when you get hit by a zombie?

Nothing prevents a DM from ruling the first, monsters aren't the only thing carrying disease, I read some mention of filth fever being caused by stepping in a rusty nail somewherer. The second would increase a zombie's CR though.

 

[Ranger19k]

When you're at zero hitpoints you fall unconscious. I believe that being unconscious prevents any actions.

This is actually not correct. PH (p145):

DISABLED (0 HIT POINTS)
When your current hit points drop to exactly 0, you’re disabled.
You’re not unconscious, but you’re close to it. You can only take a
single move or standard action each turn (but not both, nor can you
take full-round actions). You can take move actions without further
injuring yourself, but if you perform any standard action (or any
other action the DM deems as strenuous, including some free
actions such as casting a quickened spell) you take 1 point of damage
after the completing the act. Unless your activity increased your hit
points, you are now at –1 hit points, and you’re dying.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I think the correct way to use the shoulder-fired nuke would be to shoot it up at about 45 degrees, and downwind. Then run as fast as you can the other way.

Screw that, I'd run toward the nuclear blast. I'd rather die instantly in the inner blast radius than die slowly and painfully from radiation poisoning.

As to other oddities, one of my faves are the 3.5 monsters with Swallow Whole. The text says something like "If a character is swallowed and then cuts his way out, muscular action closes the huge gaping wound."

I guess that explains how monsters can survive so much physical punishment -- they're really really strong. Everywhere.

 

[frankthedm]

I guess that explains how monsters can survive so much physical punishment -- they're really really strong. Everywhere.

Creatures in D&D worlds evolve based on different rules. Creatures heal very fast in the D&D world. A nearly fatal wound can be healed in but only a few days of rest. Such quick healing leads to the evolution of predators that attack after suffering wound after wound and creatures that can survive having their guts torn open. After a while, evolutionary speaking, those guts even get use to such abuse.

In our world animals avoid getting hurt because wounds heal slowly and infection is a danger with every wound. Those creatures that were too aggressive died off long ago. In a D&D world, this is not the case. In a D&D world the animal that fought until it was nearly unconscious and killed it’s prey /rival, does not die of infection form it’s open wounds, but rather will have all it’s wounds healed in just a few days.

The gut hole closing might be unrealistic, but so is healing from -9 to full in less than two weeks.

 

[Tharkon]

This is actually not correct. PH (p145):

I see your PH, p 145 and raise with DMG, p 304:

When the character finally fails her Constitution check, she begins to drown. In the first round, she falls unconscious (0 hp).

 

[Ranger19k]

I see your PH, p 145 and raise with DMG, p 304:

Touche. But of course, the correct answer is that you are unconscious and at 0 HPs because you are drowning. You are not unconscious because you dropped to 0 HPs.

But in the end, it's all the same. I stand corrected.

 

[Tharkon]

Touche. But of course, the correct answer is that you are unconscious and at 0 HPs because you are drowning. You are not unconscious because you dropped to 0 HPs.

But in the end, it's all the same. I stand corrected.

I said when, not because, hehe.

Anyway, another oddity from BoVD:

Shadow demons employ a straightforward strategy in combat: immerse the battlefield in darkness, then tear foes to shreds with their inky claws.

However, shadow demons don't possess the ability to see in magical darkness, as far as I can tell.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

The gut hole closing might be unrealistic, but so is healing from -9 to full in less than two weeks.

Totally agree.

And yet gamers are still talking about hit points as abstract measures of luck, divine favor, agility, yadda yadda yadda...

 

[Jon_Dahl]

Since this seems like a good-natured thread, maybe it's not too provoking to point out that the javelin throw in D&D Olympics is a very curious event indeed. I'd like to see it.

 

[Jimlock]

Totally agree.

And yet gamers are still talking about hit points as abstract measures of luck, divine favor, agility, yadda yadda yadda...

Thats an interesting discussion... i agree its not luck, nor divine favor....

Hoever i think its more than physical/constitution-al hardness. I think there is experience involved somehow. Perhaps not in terms of actual agility... but some measure of knowledge on how to take a hit...

Lets take an experienced fighter... say the MMA Randy Couture... is it just his body that has hardened through the innumerable fights he has fought? I think it's also how he has learned to "absorb/deflect" the punches and kicks other throw at him.

INM Hit Points also reflect "defensive ability"...parrying, dodging etc. etc. (be that blades or actual spells!)

Look at it this way

BAB increases through level...
Saves increase through level...
Almost everything increases through level...spells... skills...
The only thing that does nor increase through experience is AC!!

And since it is absurd to think that... through experience... a fighter gets to be better at striking (BAB), but NOT better at defending... i think its safe to assume that HPs reflect Armor Class...

And it counts for all classes, not just warriors. BAB increase is always relevant to HD increase..

A warrior gets the best BAB increase (good offense) and the best HD (good defense)
A wizards gets the poor BAB increase (bad offense) and the weakest HD increase (bad defense)