Advice on Helpless but not Unconscious

[Underhill]

Face of Death

Face of Death Wizard Attack 9
You create a vision of the reaper of souls before your foes’ eyes, and they freeze in terror of their impending death.
Daily Arcane, Fear, Illusion, Implement
Standard Action Area burst 1 within 10 squares
Target: Each creature in burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will

Hit:
The target is immobilized (save ends).

• First Failed Saving Throw: The target is helpless (save ends).
• Aftereffect: The target is slowed (save ends).

Miss:
The target is immobilized (save ends).

• Aftereffect: The target is slowed (save ends).

 

[Kobold Boots]

Right so hit or miss with this spell, the target is immobilized. Therefore:

1. The target can not move unless it teleports, is pushed, pulled or slid.

Then if you fail your first save you become Immobilized (because you didn't save) and helpless therefore:

2. The target can not move unless it teleports, is pushed, pulled or slid, and it provides combat advantage.

So the conditions combined pretty much set you up for a coup de grace. (auto crit) or auto kill if the attack does more than the target's bloodied value.

The target is not moving, it can attack normally but anyone that takes a shot at it auto crits.. if you're not killing the target in one round after this effect comes into play then you deserve getting shot at by it Most solo mobs can't easily take a full parties contingent of attacks, auto critting over a single round. (and the +2 combat advantage mod, plus contingent buffs, plus magic bonuses.. )

KB

As to the "defenseless" comment.. sure. But who cares what things are named. Call it blue and get on with it. If your party doesn't like the result, ask them why the defenseless mob is still upright?

 

[Neonchameleon]

What spell(s) are you referring to that cause a helpless (but not unconcious) state? I can't think of any off hand. But depending in the fluff wording of the spell, that could help your imagery of why the target is helpless.

The other one I can think of is in the Essentials Assassin playtest - that's designed to allow a setup and coup de grace combo if the monster doesn't wiggle out in the meantime.