Dragging Unconscious Characters

[ptolemy18]

This just came up in my last game session... I was wondering if anyone else has had to deal with this.

How hard is it to "drag" unconscious characters or other creatures (friend or foe)?

In the PHB, it says that a character can drag up to "5x their maximum weight" under normal circumstances. However, it doesn't say how quickly someone moves when they're dragging something which weighs more than they can carry. I'd assume no more than 5 feet per round (just as a total guess). (On the other hand, according to the PHB 3.5 rules as written, is it even possible to move something without taking it into your own "space"? Can you push and pull things without taking them into your own 5-foot space and essentially "carrying" them? Or is this an area where the rules have to be fudged?)

Another question: if somebody tries to "drag" somebody out of combat, would this provoke an attack of opportunity? Say that we have a situation like this, with "---" representing the border between a 5-foot space...

PLAYER 1 --- PLAYER 2 --- MONSTER 1
(nothing) --- MONSTER 2 --- (nothing)

Say Player 2 is knocked unconscious. If Player 1, on their turn, says "I drag player 2 out of combat", can they do this automatically, or would it provoke an attack of opportunity from Monster 2? (I'm assuming Monster 1 wouldn't get an attack of opportunity unless it had 10' reach, of course.)

On the other hand... say Player 2 is knocked unconscious and it's Monster 1's turn next. Since Player 1 can't reach Monster 1 to do an attack of opportunity, could Monster 1 drag Player 2 away from Player 1? Let's say for the sake of argument that Monster 1 isn't strong enough to actually pick up Player 2, but would be strong enough to drag them.

(Or, alternately.... say that Monster 1 *WAS* strong enough to pick up Player 2. (But just by picking them up... they don't have a swallow attack or anything.) Could Monster 1 pick up Player 2 from the adjacent space, or do they have to move onto the square to pick them up?)

Jason

 

[dcollins]

Some of this depends on DM adjudication because it's not directly addressed in the rulebooks. Looking at my PHB:

- I think heavy-weight dragging speed if 5 ft/round. It comes after the line about "max load" and staggering at 5 ft/round, so it looks like it's in the same category to me.
- I would apply AOOs against the dragger (as by example Monster 2) because "pick up an item" provokes AOOs (such as picking up someone's foot to drag them by).
- I would also apply AOOs against the person being dragged, if desired by the enemy, similar to the Bull Rush rules which indicate forced movement provokes AOOs.
- Personally, I allow someone to reach into an adjacent space to pick something up, without triggering an AOO (unless the space is itself occupied by an enemy). I'm not entirely sure if there's anything more specific in the rules that would contradict that.

 

[KarinsDad]

In the PHB, it says that a character can drag up to "5x their maximum weight" under normal circumstances. However, it doesn't say how quickly someone moves when they're dragging something which weighs more than they can carry. I'd assume no more than 5 feet per round (just as a total guess).

This has come up a lot of times in our game.

If you can only move 5 feet per round carrying 2x your maximum load, we've ruled that you can only move 5 feet per round dragging up to 5x your maximum load.


As for AoOs, I would only allow them for the first round when you are picking up (or grabbing) the character. After that, you have them and since there is no rule for provoking AoOs while being totally encumbered, I wouldn't add it.

 

[Felix]

If you make a successful grapple check, you can move someone else at half your speed. And that's if they're fighting you. Sure, dead weight isn't easy, but it seems like it'd be something near moving someone else, eh?

Otherwise it'd depend on your weight allowance. Heavy load = 5ft per round. Better hope the wizard doesn't have to drag the full-plated half-orc.

 

[sfedi]

How hard is it to "drag" unconscious characters or other creatures (friend or foe)?

First, you must be in the same space as the creature to "pick it up". A Move action that provokes AoO. And of course, you need at least one hand free.

Second, I houserule that you can insert a move action during a move.
Thus, you can move 5 feet, pick up an item, and finish you move. (or open a door, or any kind of move action)

Third, since you are allowed a 5xmax Weigth when dragging, I count 1/5 of the dragged body weigth and add it to the weigth currently carried by the carrier, from that, I know how fast he can move. If he can move at all . If the body is too cumbersome to be carried with one hand, I'd rule that with one hand it's weigth is computed at 1/2 instead of 1/5.

I don't remember the 5 foot movement rule. I should check it out.
Moving the creature provokes AoO as usual, from both the carrier and the carried.

Another question: if somebody tries to "drag" somebody out of combat, would this provoke an attack of opportunity? Say that we have a situation like this, with "---" representing the border between a 5-foot space...

PLAYER 1 --- PLAYER 2 --- MONSTER 1
(nothing) --- MONSTER 2 --- (nothing)

Say Player 2 is knocked unconscious. If Player 1, on their turn, says "I drag player 2 out of combat", can they do this automatically, or would it provoke an attack of opportunity from Monster 2? (I'm assuming Monster 1 wouldn't get an attack of opportunity unless it had 10' reach, of course.)

Assuming everyone has 5 foot reach.
Player 1 moves 5 feet to Player 2 space. Provoking AoO (from M2).
Picks up P2 (provoking from M1 and M2)
Continues his move (under my houserule), provoking AoO from M1 and M2.
This last AoO provocation, is the same as M1 had when P1 entered P2 space. So if M1 attacked P1 before, he can't AoO him now.
P2, when dragged, provokes AoOs from M1 and M2 as well.
I also rule that as a move action and two free hands, you can change the way you carry the body so as to provide cover to the body.
So you deny any AoO against the body when dragging it, and provide a +4 AC bonus versus targeted attacks against the body.

On the other hand... say Player 2 is knocked unconscious and it's Monster 1's turn next. Since Player 1 can't reach Monster 1 to do an attack of opportunity, could Monster 1 drag Player 2 away from Player 1? Let's say for the sake of argument that Monster 1 isn't strong enough to actually pick up Player 2, but would be strong enough to drag them.

Same as before.
Note though, that I assume that you are dragging the body, not carrying it.
If you are carrying it, full body weigth is computed.
And the body doesn't provoke AoOs when moved. You do.

 

[Fieari]

Player 1 moves 5 feet to Player 2 space. Provoking AoO (from M2).

Entering a threatened square does not provoke an attack of opportunity. Leaving a threatened square does. Granted, there would be an attack of opporunity from Player 2 for entering his space, but if you need to drag Player 2 out anyway, he's probably not in any kind of condition to make said AoO, and since he's your friend, would probably decline anyway.

 

[dcollins]

Fieari: Note that in the example, Player 1 is starting in a threatened space of Monster 2.

 

[sfedi]

Fieari: Note that in the example, Player 1 is starting in a threatened space of Monster 2.

Yep, that´s the reason for been exposed to the first AoO.