D&D 5E Adjudicating Unusual Actions

[Mistwell]

We all know how to adjudicate "I hit it with my sword" or "I cast magic missile at it". But as a RPG, as opposed to a computer game, players are expected to do all sorts of creative things which are not specifically covered by a rule.

I think this is a strength of a good RPG, not a weakness. I don't want an RPG to cover every conceivable action the players can imagine, as that's both an impossible task and asking for a tomb of rules so dense that mastering the rules takes over a major part of the game itself.

Instead, a good set of rules provides numerous examples and tools to help a DM adjudicate different kinds of situations, and lets the DM make the call in the moment on how to handle it. I think 5e does this well.

So in this thread I wanted to explore some different scenarios which are just not covered directly by the rules, but which in the moment a player might try to do. And, which a good DM would let them try. I am wondering how you would rule each scenario.

I'll throw out the first one, but do please feel free to throw out your own.

You're the DM. How would you rule on this: The Mummy, Chair Throw

 

[iserith]

You're the DM. How would you rule on this: The Mummy, Chair Throw

Thrown improvised weapon attack versus target's Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics). On a success, the target is knocked prone. (This assumes the player's stated goal is to knock the target prone.)

 

[jgsugden]

Improvised weapon rules.

Alterntively, I let players make a normal attack and 'reskin' it to something else. For example, in a scenario where a PC runs up to the only enemy and fells it in oe blow with their weapon, they might say that rather than un across the room and attack, they just picked up a chair, flung it across the room and took the enemy down.

 

[Charlaquin]

It depends on the player’s goal, are they trying to harm the target with the chair attack, or knock the target prone? I get the sense from the clip that it was the latter in Brendan’s case. If so, I’d rule it as a ranged shove. If they are trying to cause actual damage, I’d treat it as an improvised ranged weapon attack. 1d4 bludgeoning if thrown one-handed like Brendan did, or 1d6 bludgeoning two-handed. Range 20/60.

 

[FrogReaver]

I can see 4 possible outcomes.

1. The chair throw hurts the target and knocks prone
2. The chair through knock the target prone
3. The chair throw hurts the target
4. The chair throw does nothing.

Decide on a way to map these outcomes to the d20 mechanic and you have the solution

Examples: roll a d20 for damage and a d20 for prone. Roll 1 d20 and use degrees of success. Etc.

 

[5ekyu]

Ranged shove attack using scenery.

Done.

 

[GMMichael]

That wasn't Knocked Prone. That was the opponent reaching zero hit points. Brendan obviously rolled a 20.

Although I would call that opposing Physical contests, Brendan using a Fight skill and the coward using Movement (running away). And Brendan would also take a -4 penalty, because that chair looked awkward (but light).

How about this one?

 

[Yaarel]

Straightforward:

Ranged improvised weapon, dealing 1d4 + Strength damage versus AC (including Dexterity)

Opponent reduced to 0 hit points, and is unconscious (or stunned).

Fraser intentionally made it a nonlethal attack. Thus there are no death saves.

 

[LordEntrails]

No spoon... yea, that is a metaphysical aspect to the setting that, imo, does not occur in DnD. So yea, I would have to ask my player how they wish to do that? If I'm not playing with psionics (and I don't) I can't see a way to do it.

If you're playing with psionics, then ... prestidigitation?

 

[iserith]

How about this one?

If the player's goal is to bend a spoon and the approach is by using some kind of mental powers while the character lacks said mental powers, the action is a failure (no roll). If the character does have some appropriate power, apply the relevant rules for the power.