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ShortQuests -- Pocket Sized Adventures! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed for 1-2 game sessions.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Switchback" data-source="post: 4300834" data-attributes="member: 69793">The Coup de Grace reads as a automatic critical to me. Notice that it has no Attack line. Which would normally be,"Attack vs Defense" It only has a "Hit:" line, which always tells damage. In this case, the damage is automatically a critical of whatever attack chosen. On the next page over (PH 289) the Coup de grace is listed again, in the table for standard actions and the description for it simply reads "Make a critcial hit against a helpless enemy" Meaning the action itself (taking a Coup De Grace) results in a critical. There is no attack necessary.Compare for example "Basic Attack" which is listed above in the column and actually tells you to make an attack. Note that a unconscious (or helpless) character is not merely prone, as in laying on the ground trying to avoid blows, he is simply lying on the ground motionless, helpless. He is no harder to hit than a door, a table, or any other static object.Furthermore, if an unconscious creature *was* granted his normal defense (Fortitude, Reflex, or Willpower) the power makes absolutely no sense. The reason a Wizard has a higher Willpower than a Kobold is because he is actively resisting with his mind. If he is unconscious, he cannot do that. Same with Reflex. An agile Drow has a high reflex because of his better coordination and agility vs something with a poor reflex like a Zombie. It is silly to assume that a unconscious Drow would still require a 20 to hit then, but a Zombie only a 10 when both are laying on the ground not moving! An obvious argument for the critical being automatic.</blockquote>

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