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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Camarath" data-source="post: 1473997" data-attributes="member: 11987">The SRD may not use the word "attack" (though in a Coup de Grace action you "hit" which means as per the Glossery "Make a successful attack roll") but the FAQ does.I understand that if an opponent is grappled and pinnedthat opponent is not helpless and therefore not subject to acoup de grace. But if that same opponent was renderedunconscious, could you perform a coup de grace as anunarmed attack? If so, what would the damage be?You are correct, pinned characters are not helpless and arenot subject to coup de grace. You can use an unarmed attackfor a coup de grace. The target has to save as noted on page 133of the Player’s Handbook. Note that you can deal normaldamage with an unarmed attack by taking a –4 penalty on theattack. (You automatically hit when you deal the coup de grace,so the penalty isn’t relevant.) If you choose to deal realdamage, you’ll eventually kill a helpless foe even if the foekeeps making successful saving throws.Is a natural “20” always a hit and natural “1” always amiss when using weapons? Is a natural “20” always asuccess and natural “1” always a failure when rolling asaving throw? Is a natural “20” always a success andnatural “1” always a failure when rolling an ability checkor a skill check?On an attack roll or a saving throw, a roll of “20” on the dieis always a success and a roll of “1” is always a failure. Thisrepresents the inherently chancy nature of combat; it hasinnumerable variables that are completely beyond the actingcharacter’s control. In the case of attack rolls, common sensemust prevail. A roll of “20” cannot produce a hit when a hit isnot possible. (For example: It won’t hit when a target is beyondthe attacker’s melee reach or beyond a ranged attack’smaximum range.) Some circumstances always produce a hit ora miss no matter what the attack roll is. For example, an attackagainst a concealed target has a flat chance to produce anautomatic miss (see Table 8–10 in the Player’s Handbook), nomatter what the attack roll is. Likewise if you’re using the coupde grace rule or take a full round to line up a melee attack on anunattended object, you always hit.Saving throws are similar to attack rolls in that there’salways a little something beyond the character’s control. Likecombat, there are cases where the roll is irrelevant, even if it’s a“1” or “20.” Creatures that are immune to an attack never haveto roll saving throws against that attack. Likewise, if a spell orattack form doesn’t allow a saving throw in the first place, youcan’t roll a saving throw and hope to get a “20.”Skill checks are not subject to automatic success or failure.Some tasks are just too easy for failure or too hard for success.(Most people don’t fail once on every 20 attempts to tie theirshoes.) Ability checks are likewise not subject to automaticfailure or success. (No matter how lucky you are, you’re justnot going to kick down a castle wall.) If the DM feels thatchance might affect the outcome, a saving throw or attack rollis probably more appropriate."IMO you are the only one using that tactic here.</blockquote>

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