Disarm, Trip, and Whips

[0-hr]

Under "Disarm", it only mentions using it against an adjacent foe. So you can't disarm people using a reach weapon like a glaive?

I thought that you could not use ranged weapons for Disarm or Trip (at least without some weird DragonMag feats). But the description of a whip mentions doing both of these things (and the "Lasher" PrC in Sword & Fist grants both Improved Trip and Improved Disarm when using a whip).

Is the whip an exception to the rule then? If so, can you Trip and Disarm people 15 ft away using a whip?

And lastly, as a ranged projectile weapon, I assume that I have to use my Dex for an attack bonus. Is there any way to use Str instead?

 

[Macbrea]

You can make disarm maneuvers with a whip because it states its possible. Trips can be made with any weapon that can make a melee attack. Otherwise a guisarme is a pretty useless item.


I find it silly that a person cannot disarm with a polearm. If you have ever faced an individual with a glaive, you would understand they could easily knock a weapon from your hand.


Also, if disarm cannot be used with a reach weapon explain this weapon:

quote SRD

Ranseur:
A ranseur has reach of 10 feet. The weapon cannot be used against an adjacent foe.

With a ranseur, add a +2 bonus on opposed attack rolls when attempting to disarm an opponent (including the roll to avoid being disarmed if the character fails to disarm the opponent).

Technically, by the rules its absolutely worthless.

 

[Henrix]

There's nothing in the rules that stop you from disarming with a reach weapon.
You can make a disarm as a melee attack, and attacks with reach weapons are still melee attacks.

 

[Macbrea]

The way the rules are written you cannot make a disarm with a ransuer.


Quote SRD

Disarm(4) [Varies][AoO: Yes]

Description: The combatant and an adjacent target make opposed attack rolls with the their respective weapons.

They probably should amend the rules to take out the adjacent target rule. And just state you make a melee attack.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Under "Disarm", it only mentions using it against an adjacent foe. So you can't disarm people using a reach weapon like a glaive?

That's the SRD. The PH makes no such restriction. It only requires a melee attack, so reach weapons can be used to disarm.

I thought that you could not use ranged weapons for Disarm or Trip (at least without some weird DragonMag feats). But the description of a whip mentions doing both of these things (and the "Lasher" PrC in Sword & Fist grants both Improved Trip and Improved Disarm when using a whip).

Is the whip an exception to the rule then? If so, can you Trip and Disarm people 15 ft away using a whip?

Yes, a whip is an exception to the rule. It is treated as a ranged projectile weapon. But because it can wrap around legs or a weapon or arm, it can be used to trip and disarm. The PH description of the whip on page 104 clarifies this.

And lastly, as a ranged projectile weapon, I assume that I have to use my Dex for an attack bonus. Is there any way to use Str instead?

Yes, use your Dex modifier for the attack roll and only apply a Str penalty to damage. There is no way by the core rules to apply your Str bonus to the attack roll of a projectile weapon.

 

[0-hr]

Thanks for the info all.

If you try to disarm someone who is 15 ft away, what would happen to the Attack of Opportunity? Would they lose the chance because they do not threaten you? It seems the least they could do is use the AoO to disarm you

 

[hong]

If you try to disarm someone who is 15 ft away, what would happen to the Attack of Opportunity? Would they lose the chance because they do not threaten you? It seems the least they could do is use the AoO to disarm you

They could attempt to sunder your weapon.

 

[dr_nukem]

...and then possibly provoke and AoO!!! HAH! Let them try!

:0

 

[reapersaurus]

why do people constantly try to use the SRD as a official rules source?

It it barely a summary of the rules - only use the books for rules postings...

 

[0-hr]

As soon as I can type in a key word, hit <ENTER>, and have my core rule books magically flip open to the correct page and paragraph; then I'll start referencing them before I look to the SRD.

(It would also help if the core books were invisible so I could have them at work without arousing suspicion.)