Helpless doesn't Hinder

[Regicide]

Heh, I never noticed that.

I am not sure if this was intended or not. If it is, the name is misleading for someone coming from D&D 3.x. Calling it "defenseless" might make more sense.

It's not misleading for someone coming from 3E, it's misleading for someone that speaks English. Defenseless isn't all that good either since you can defend yourself pretty darned well, the penalty of granting combat advantage is very small and hardly what I'd call defenseless. How about... Vulnerable.

Main Entry:help·less
Pronunciation: \ˈhel-pləs; Southern often ˈhep-ləs also ˈheəp-\ Function:adjective Date:before 12th century
1: lacking protection or support
2 a: marked by an inability to act or react <the crowd looked on in helpless horror — Current Biography> b: not able to be controlled or restrained <helpless laughter>

Main Entry:vul·ner·a·blePronunciation: \ˈvəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl, ˈvəl-nər-bəl\ Function:adjective Etymology:Late Latin vulnerabilis, from Latin vulnerare to wound, from vulner-, vulnus wound; probably akin to Latin vellere to pluck, Greek oulē woundDate:1605
1 : capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
2 : open to attack or damage
3 : liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in contract bridge

 

[Zinovia]

I agree that the Helpless condition doesn't make sense taken on its own. To me, based on what the word means, it should be different from Unconscious only inasmuch as you are conscious and aware. Maybe you can take a free action such as speaking (unless you're gagged). The word conjures a vision of someone completely cocooned in spider webs, unable to move enough to wriggle free. They can't do anything. That's what helpless means.

 

[Ryujin]

I agree that the Helpless condition doesn't make sense taken on its own. To me, based on what the word means, it should be different from Unconscious only inasmuch as you are conscious and aware. Maybe you can take a free action such as speaking (unless you're gagged). The word conjures a vision of someone completely cocooned in spider webs, unable to move enough to wriggle free. They can't do anything. That's what helpless means.

I agree. The word 'helpless' raises images of someone falling like a bag of wet cement, left staring at the ceiling. The idea that someone who is helpless could run around the room attacking people makes no sense to me.

 

[Stalker0]

So from a flavor standpoint its definitely off, but from a rules standpoint its crystal clear what helpless means.

So for the OP, I have found that particular power very effective in my group as is, there's no reason to strengthen it, and hopefully you can make some flavor that allows the power to work in your game.

 

[corncob]

How about this:

Replace "The target is helpless (save ends)" with "The target grants combat advantage and can be the target of a coup de grace (save ends both)."

 

[Flipguarder]

just add a new condition:


Coopdegrable - Any enemy can perform a coup de grace on you.

 

[radja]

guess I'll just call it 'screwed'. usually, you're screwed because you are unconscious.

Unconscious:
• You're screwed.
• You take a -5 penalty to all defenses.
• You can't take actions.
• You fall prone, if possible.
• You can't flank an enemy.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

guess I'll just call it 'screwed'. usually, you're screwed because you are unconscious.

Unconscious:
• You're screwed.
• You take a -5 penalty to all defenses.
• You can't take actions.
• You fall prone, if possible.
• You can't flank an enemy.

I think every game needs a "screwed" condition.

 

[Ibixat]

I think every game needs a "screwed" condition.

4e has it, it's called Stunned (save ends)

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

4e has it, it's called Stunned (save ends)

The name is more important than the mechanic.