D&D 5E Adjudicating Unusual Actions

[Yaarel]

Pocket Sand!

DC 5 + Dexterity versus Dexterity save.

Because the reflex of the eyelids is almost instantaneous, the DC is very low.

 

[iserith]

That's just the help action, which already does more than that as you don't even have to hit. Sure looks like temporary blindness to me, which would last more than just their next attack.

Help action allows you to give advantage to an ally's ability check or attack roll. It does not allow you to impart disadvantage on an opponent's attack.

 

[Shiroiken]

I have no problem with players trying to do something out of the ordinary, but I do try to ground things in a semblance of reality. In the Mummy example, I'd have it be a ranged improvised weapon shove attack (i.e. Str, no modifier without Tavern Brawler). In the Matrix example (and it is the matrix), it would be a Wisdom/Insight check to understand the underlying unreality of the matrix. In the King of the Hill example, Improvised Ranged Attack (0 ft/ 5 ft) and if it hits the target must make a Dexterity Save DC: 11 or be blinded for 1 minute, but may repeat the save as an action and at the end of each of their turns to end the effect.

 

[Charlaquin]

Pocket sand? Improvised ranged weapon attack contested by the target’s Dex save, range 5/15. On a hit, the target is blinded until they use an action to end the condition.

 

[aco175]

The chair move would never come up in my game since the PCs do not go around without weapons, they would simply throw a hand-ax or javelin at him. The action economy also would allow for one of the PCs to move before him and block the door. It is simply the way the action turns move in the game over a movie.

Things do come up in the game that require a ruling on the spot. I guess I tend to favor the PCs side when they try to do something cool. This allows them to keep trying things and not just default to swinging. This sounds like I'm contradicting the first paragraph, but I am mostly just giving an example.

 

[LordEntrails]

Pocket Sand!

DC 5 + Dexterity versus Dexterity save.

Because the reflex of the eyelids is almost instantaneous, the DC is very low.

Except the eyes are extremely sensitive to foreign objects. It only takes one grain of sand to provoke a physiological reaction
But, it's not like any "ruling" is wrong

 

[Yaarel]

Except the eyes are extremely sensitive to foreign objects. It only takes one grain of sand to provoke a physiological reaction
But, it's not like any "ruling" is wrong

The only possible way it could work is if the target literally didnt see it coming. In the Pocket Sand video, the movement of the attackers hand itself would likely cause the defensive blink reflex.

 

[LordEntrails]

The only possible way it could work is if the target literally didnt see it coming. In the Pocket Sand video, the movement of the attackers hand itself would likely cause the defensive blink reflex.

I guess you've never had sand thrown in your face? I have, not so easy as you think to make it ineffective.

 

[Yaarel]

I guess you've never had sand thrown in your face? I have, not so easy as you think to make it ineffective.

My confidence comes from having had sand thrown and blown in my face, and never having it get in my eyes.

 

[Charlaquin]

I guess we know Yaarel has a better real-life Dex save than LordEntrails.