attacking / defending while on a rowboat?

[Kris]

In a upcoming adventure that I have planned it is quite possible that the players will spend some time on a rowboat, navigating a wide river.
Now I have a few 'random' type encounters that may happen along the way (depending on how things are progressing) - one of which could be an attack on the players while they are in the aforementioned rowboat.

So I was wondering what your opinions are on fighting from the boat.

Should the PC's be considered 'off-balance' (and therefore lose their Dex bonus to AC & have attackers get a +2 bonus on attacks)?

If so, should I allow them to make a balance check to avoid the above 'off-balance' penalties (i.e. DC10 for still waters, DC15 for moving waters, DC20 for fast paced water, etc...)

I know that there are various seafaring rule books out there that probably cover such stuff - but I am kinda unwilling to fork out the cash for one of those babies just for the sake of a simple river crossing.

So, do you think the above ruling would be fair? (or let me know if I have completely missed a similar ruling in one of the core rule books that covers such things).

Thanx in advance

(and sorry if a similar topic has already been discussed)

 

[dr_nukem]

Balance is a good way to handle it, or quite possibly Profession (Sailor).

However, if you let them make skill checks, it should be done whenever they attempt to move or are hit. This could get a bit tedious (lots of dice rolling). It would probably be much simpler to allow them 1 roll at the beginning of combat. If they succeed, they can act normally. If they fail, the suffer the same penalty as they would if they were climbing or on a slippery surface (dex loss, opponent get's +2, etc).

Any PC who failed could spend a full round action to try and regain their balance (and get rid of all the penalties). The DC for this would be the same, possibly a bit lower if they come up with some sort of inventive idea...

You're not going to have something attack the rowboat itself are you?!?! You *evil*, evil DM...

 

[Xarlen]

Considering how teetery a rowboat is, I'd make them make a balance check to ensure they stay *IN* the boat. If you move to hack something with your sword, there's a chance that you could likely tip the sucker over.

 

[Kris]

Thanx for the input guys (it's greatly appreciated).

How's this sound then...

*****

On the first round of combat everyone rolls to see if they are unbalanced (balance check OR prof 'sailor' check - as before)

Those characters that are balanced only remain so if all they attempt is a partial action each turn (more than that - they have to roll again to see if they become unbalanced)

Unbalanced players remain unbalanced as long as all they attempt is a partial action each turn. Unbalanced characters attempting more than a partial action are required to make another 'balance' check (as before) in order to avoid falling overboard. (Ref save allowed [same DC as balance check] - success means that they have still fallen out - but managed to grab hold of the side of the boat).

Unbalanced characters may attempt to become balanced by forgoing their action for their turn (i.e. roll again).

Characters falling out of the rowboat cause such a disturbance that any other characters aboard must also make a balance check (where balanced players run the risk of becoming unbalanced, and already unbalanced players run the risk of falling out).

Characters who roll a natural 1 for their reflex save when falling out of the boat manage to capsize the small vessel (depositing everyone in the water).

Casting a 1 action spell while unbalanced requires a concentration check.

Casting a full round spell while balanced only requires a balance check if a somatic component is required. Similarly casting a full round spell while unbalanced only requires a balance check if a somatic component is required (though a concentration check is still required).

****

Phew!! do you think that will work - or is it way, way, way too complicated???

 

[Xarlen]

I like it.

 

[Macbrea]

In my current, ocean going game. Here is how I handled the rowboat combat I did last weekend.


The boat could only fit 4 individuals sitting down.

..........
...C.....
...R.....
..FM...
.........

Pretty much in this configuration. C = Cleric, R = rogue(rowing), F = Fighter, M=Mage

Scene: The mage in smooth waters cast a dancing lights down into the water to be able to see what the large shadowy image below them was. She outlined 2 Sauhagin on the deck of a sunken ship. The Sauhagin choose to charge up toward the boat from below.

I call for initiative:
C (22)
R (25)
M (18)
F (16)
S1 (17)
S2 (7)

The round went as follows:

Round 1:
R (25): I row as fast as I can toward the ship!
C (22): I ready a bow to shot at the sauhagin if it comes within 30ft.
DM: because your sitting down I will allow you to do this without making a balance check. Same as if you were riding a horse.
M (18): Ready an action to cast colorspray at the sauhagin as soon as they come within 30 ft!
DM: ok
S1: Charges, but as he reaches within 30 feet, C your bow shot goes off. If you hit with the roll you have 10% concealment because your shooting from the surface into the water.
C: hit, no miss for concealment
DM: ok, he is hit solidly but it doesn't slow him down yet. M your readied spell goes off. Because you are on a boat that is being rowed you are going to have to make a concentration check to avoid losing your DC is 10 + spell level for the check.
M: Ok, rolls, Made it. I color spray him.
DM: checks roll, He saved and is currently unaffected. ::to self:: I will give him a -1 penalty to all checks because sauhagin are light blind.
DM: sauhagin charges and attacks bottom of boat. There is a loud thump as he hits the bottom of the boat. Anyone standing at this time will have to make a balance check dc 10 or fall out of the boat. Those of you sitting are fine.
F: can I shot at the Sauhagin under the boat.
DM: yes, but he gets 9/10th cover for the boat and 10% miss chance for the concealment.
F: ok, Then I will shot the other one, :: which he succeeded::
S2: charges the boat and does enough damage to destroy 1 inch of wood. The boat starts to sink!

I rules that the boat sunk at a rate of 1 ft per round. I also decided that the hole wasn't a 5ft section of boat but 1foot in diameter. This made it so they could rush to the ship and grab hold before lossing their rowboat at the time. If they had choosen to delay they would have been in the water. A spot the cleric in chainmail was dreading heading.