Bolas - use clarification

[firehorse]

My character just recently acquired bolas for use. It seems both the 3.0 Sword and Fist and 3.5 PHB are pretty vague as to how to handle the Ranged Trip Attack and the subdual damage of the bolas.

In the EN World - Morrus' D&D/d20 News & Reviews Site > D&D/d20 System Forums > D&D Rules > The 3.5 PHB Errata Update Forum, this issue is addressed, although not wholly correctly to my taste:

115,158***: Bolas: (1) These can make a "ranged trip attack", an action not described under Trip in the combat section. Opposed contests of strength do not seem appropriate, as the target is being wound-up, not jerked, nor should combatant sizes matter. It is also inappropriate that an opponent's legs be an easier target at range (for a trip) than his whole body (for a normal attack). Possible fix: Bolas entangle a struck target if it fails reflex-save DC of attacker's roll, and trip if it fails by 10 or more.

I would propose this:
1) The attacker should designate whether he is using the bolas for a subdual damage attack or for a ranged trip.
2) Subdual damage attack should be rolled normally as if it were any other type of thrown weapon attack.
3) Ranged Trip attack is rolled as a Ranged Touch attack with the defender subsequently rolling an opposing Reflex Save (DC=attack roll of attacker) if not flat-footed. If the trip is successfull, the defender can either cut the bolas as a full round action, unwind them as a 2 round action, or attempt to break them (DC 20) as a full round action. All these would provoke an AOO.

 

[DMEntropy]

This seems like a very workable use of the Bola.

Any other comments from others?

 

[Emiricol]

Sorry for not posting sooner! I agree, it seems very workable. To cut them as a full round action, he'd have to have a readied slashing weapon, which is a nice factor!

 

[Lith]

I dunno how this is done exactly in 3.5 but, I would say it would have to be a small weapon to cut the bolas, I mean with a greatsword you'd risk slicing off your foot if you'd slip.

 

[Delwin]

Also, how would it work used for dismount? Attack vs. horse or rider.Sounds good so far though.Just a thought.

 

[DMEntropy]

Bolas are/were not used for dismounting purposes to my knowledge. They were used either to entangle the legs of the target or to inflict bludgeoning damage.

I don't think there is a need for dismounting rules. If the mount is attacked and successfully tripped THAT could cause a dismount. Are there rules in place for such a thing as a mount tripping?

 

[Emiricol]

Bolas are/were not used for dismounting purposes to my knowledge. They were used either to entangle the legs of the target or to inflict bludgeoning damage.

I don't think there is a need for dismounting rules. If the mount is attacked and successfully tripped THAT could cause a dismount. Are there rules in place for such a thing as a mount tripping?

A Ride skill check to avoid falling damage? There's some precedent in the rules already, though I can't recall offhand...

 

[Lith]

From the ride skill

Soft Fall (DC 15): You can react instantly to try to take no damage when you fall off a mount—when it is killed or when it falls, for
example. If you fail your Ride check, you take 1d6 points of falling damage. This usage does not take an action.

 

[Emiricol]

FireHorse, if you want to resummarize this as a weapon entry, I'll post it for you in the Coucil Member forum for discussion. You may choose to include the Ride Skill detail, or just point to it, as you see fit

 

[firehorse]

Weapon Entry

Ok, hope this is what you are looking for....

It seems both the 3.0 Sword and Fist and 3.5 PHB are pretty vague as to how to handle the Ranged Trip Attack and the subdual damage of the bolas.

In the EN World - Morrus' D&D/d20 News & Reviews Site > D&D/d20 System Forums > D&D Rules > The 3.5 PHB Errata Update Forum, this issue is addressed, although not wholly correctly to my taste:

115,158***: Bolas: (1) These can make a "ranged trip attack", an action not described under Trip in the combat section. Opposed contests of strength do not seem appropriate, as the target is being wound-up, not jerked, nor should combatant sizes matter. It is also inappropriate that an opponent's legs be an easier target at range (for a trip) than his whole body (for a normal attack). Possible fix: Bolas entangle a struck target if it fails reflex-save DC of attacker's roll, and trip if it fails by 10 or more.

I would propose this:
1) The attacker should designate whether he is using the bolas for a subdual damage attack or for a ranged trip.
2) Subdual damage attack should be rolled normally as if it were any other type of thrown weapon attack.
3) Ranged Trip attack is rolled as a Ranged Touch attack with the defender subsequently rolling an opposing Reflex Save (DC=attack roll of attacker) if not flat-footed. If the trip is successfull, the defender is prone and can either cut the bolas as a full round action, unwind them as a 2 round action, or attempt to break them (DC 20) as a full round action. All these actions would provoke an AOO.
4) Using bolas to pin arms to torsos or wrap around the throat of the victim is impractical due to the increased amount of protection and movement of the torso vs. the legs. If allowed, the DC should be -5 or lower than the attack roll.

As a side note: If the bolas are directed to trip a character's mount, then the mount rolls its Reflex Save vs. the attack roll. Mounted Combat Feat rolls to avoid the attack may apply. The character will take 1d6 points of damage/30' movement rate that the mount is moving (1d6 minimum, per Soft Fall in the Ride Skill notes, although just 1d6 damage doesn't take into account the speed of the mount.) unless they make a successful Ride check (DC 15).