DM's. To sunder or not to sunder?

[Lord Ben]

Do you sunder? How do your players react? Lets say my PC's are facing a Huge Earth Elem with damage reduction 10/+2 and he has the sunder feat (as per MM), if you start snapping weapons in half in order to make it hard for them to damage you do the PC's take it personally? I've never used tactics like this before and I don't know if I'm being a sissy DM or not. Snaping that +2 keen falchion in half would be HIGHLY rewarding for every time his 12-20x2 crit fighter has killed my high-hp NPC's in one or two rounds, but the player might get upset.

Suggestions?

 

[James McMurray]

Definitely Sunder. Of course, it won't always be a good option for every foe, but when it is, use it.

 

[frankthedm]

Yep, those are the breaks

If a creature is only harmed by magic weapons it will try to get rid of what can harm it first. the players equipment is NOT indestructable and they should know it.

IMC I am thinking about having a famous and quit old dragon known as Blade's bane. well known for sundering weapons and then torturing those who cannot harm it. my players will likely avoid it like the plague.

 

[alsih2o]

sunder, do it!

while having your favorite weapon broken by a baddie may stink temporarily, it doesn't mean anything to kill a critter that is just sitting and waiting to be killed! these cratures are the cr they are because of these powers, and without awesome powers like sunder every potato-boiler in the realm would be out slaying the nice polite baddies, seriously diluting the treasure and babes for the rest of us!

if you do commit the ultimate blasphemy and tone down your critters, remember to tone down the xp total too


REMEMBER: BEASTIES ARE MEANT TO BE MEAN (CHECK THE ILLUSTRATIONS, MANY HAVE POINTY TEETH AND SOME HAVE NASTY CLAWS)

 

[ogre]

I agree. Sunder away.
I just did that a few sessions ago. Smashed a +2 masive club (2d6) that granted a +2 STR and was +5 and double damage against objects/contructs. The player took it well. It's now part of the game and one of the only DM tactics that the PCs aren't gona use that often. If it fits, go for it. But, as with anything, moderation is always best.

 

[DerianCypher]

If I may give a PC's perspective? My character dual wields bladed gauntlets (Modified from books). Now, if they were sundered I'd have a huge problem because my character has history with those weapons. It would cause SERIOUS in character problems. If you want a better perspective u could try reading my story hour at:
http://test.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13639

So if your characters have put any history behind their weapons you might want to be prepared for the IC reprecussions.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

If I may give a PC's perspective? My character dual wields bladed gauntlets (Modified from books). Now, if they were sundered I'd have a huge problem because my character has history with those weapons. It would cause SERIOUS in character problems. If you want a better perspective u could try reading my story hour at:
http://test.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13639

So if your characters have put any history behind their weapons you might want to be prepared for the IC reprecussions.

Well that just leads to a whole new era for the PC, he lost his great weapons...what does he do now?


I SAY SUNDER AWAY!!

 

[Pielorinho]

As a DM, I'm constantly aiming for the "Oh, crap!" response. When a DM makes me say that (e.g., siccing fire-resistant half-fiend trolls on us, the bastard!), I love it. And I expect my players to enjoy it as well.

So yes: sunder away. Just make sure you do it well.

When Goofus DMs, he says:
"The demon rolls a 23. He hits your sword. Okay, and then he rolls 20 points of damage. That breaks your sword."

When Gallant DMs, he says:
"The demon curls its lip at you, and you can see a wisp of smoke come drifting from his mouth. His voice echoes in your head, saying [in a mocking deep voice], 'Don't break your teeth, kitten!' And then, with an almost casual gesture, he snatches out with one hand and grabs at your sword, and [rolling a d20] manages to grab it before you can do anything. He twists, and [rolling damage] your sword snaps with a clang, and the vibrations shake down into your arm, almost numbing it. He drops the blade of your sword at your feet and his grin widens."

Daniel

 

[Bonedagger]

Put me in for a "Sunder is okay" reply.

 

[Crothian]

Sundering is fine. And if the character has a weapon they are very attached to, they can get it fixed.