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Message: <blockquote data-quote="RoboCheney" data-source="post: 5791830" data-attributes="member: 6688114">Hi guys,I've been working on a homebrew stunt system to inject some swashbuckling flavor for my 4e pirates game.  The basic goal is to give players some additional fun--if risky--options in combat, and codify these maneuvers more than me making up things on the spot (but I expect to do that too <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":-)" title="Smile    :-)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":-)" /> ).  Of course, enemies can try these maneuvers as well.This is the first draft, and hasn't seen any playtesting yet.  (Also note that Seafaring is a new skill for my game.)The stunts are written up as powers, which are available to all characters, and should be self explanatory.  The following two rules also apply:Action Point: Some stunts can be improved by spending an action point; these are detailed below. Stale Moves: If you use the same stunt more than once in a single encounter, you have a cumulative -2 penalty to attacks or checks with it as enemies predict your tricks. Many of these were drawn from The Book of Iron Might, and a few from the 3e Player's Handbook.  I make no claim to originality ;-)Anyways, tell me what you think, or steal it for your own game!- - - - -   Acrobatic Flourish                You flip or tumble to set up a surprise attack against a befuddled adversary.   Stunt   Move ActionMelee   1Target:   One creatureAttack:   Acrobatics vs. Reflex +5Hit:   You gain combat advantage against the target for your next melee attack this turn.Miss:   If you fail the check by 5 or more, you fall prone.Effect:    You may move up to half your speed when you perform this action.Special:   If you attempt this maneuver on a ship, use may use Seafaring in place of Acrobatics.  If you have the aquatic type or the Aquatic Combat feat, you may attempt this maneuver underwater, using Athletics instead of Acrobatics.      Called Shot                    With careful aim, you make a powerful targeted attack against an enemy.   Stunt ◊ Weapon   Standard ActionMelee or Ranged WeaponRequirement:   You must have used Careful Aim against the target.Target:   One creature (as Careful Aim)Attack:   Strength or Dexterity vs. AC (+2 for Careful Aim)Hit:   As basic attack.  Choose one of the following effects for this attack:      Head: The attack does +1[w] damage, and you     may do extra damage as if you had combat     advantage against the target.      Neck: The target also takes ongoing damage 2     (save ends), and you may do extra damage as     if you had combat advantage against the     target.       Armor: Make your attack against the target's     Reflex defense instead.       Arm: The target also takes a -2 penalty to its     attacks until the end of your next turn.       Hand: The target is also disarmed.      Leg: The target is also slowed until the end of     your next turn.      Knee: The target also falls prone.Special:   Called Shot is not subject to the stale moves rule.Action Point:   You may spend an action point to make a called shot without using Careful Aim first.   Careful Aim                    You focus on an enemy and set up your next attack.   Stunt ◊ Weapon   Standard ActionMelee or Ranged WeaponTarget:   One creatureEffect:   You get a +2 bonus to the next attack you make against the target.  Your next attack can be the Called Shot stunt.      If you attack a different target, you lose this bonus.Special:   Careful Aim is not subject to the stale moves rule.       Combat Intimidation            After besting an enemy, you put on a fearsome display to keep your adversaries at bay.   Stunt   Move ActionArea burst 5Requirement:   You must have bloodied or downed an enemyTarget:   One non-elite creature and all minions in the burstAttack:   Intimidate vs. Will +5 (Will +10 if the target is not bloodied).Hit:    If the target moves closer to you before the end of your next turn, it is weakened until the end of your next turn.  If the target is a minion, you push it 1 square.      At the DM's discretion, lower level enemies may surrender or retreat—especially if they are losing.Miss:   If you fail by 5 or more, the enemy gets a +2 bonus to damage you until the end of your next turn.          Cutting Insult                You savage smack talk infuriates an enemy.   Stunt   Move ActionArea burst 5Requirement:   You must speak a language understood by the target.Target:   One creatureAttack:   Bluff vs. Will +5.  If you hit the target with your last attack, or it missed you with its last attack, you get a +2 bonus to the check.  If you're bloodied and the target isn't, you get a -2 penalty to the check.Hit:   The target has a -2 penalty to its attacks until the end of your next turn.Miss:   If you fail the check by 5 or more, the target gets a +2 bonus to damage rolls against you until the end of your next turn.Effect:   You mark the target until the end of your next turn.      Disarm                    With a precise swing, you try to knock your enemy's weapon away.   Stunt ◊ Weapon   Standard ActionMelee 1Target:   One creatureAttack:   Strength vs. Fortitude +2 or Dexterity vs. Reflex +2Hit:   The target is disarmed.Miss:   If you fail the attack by 5 or more, you provoke an opportunity attack from the target.          Environmental Attack            You swing on a loose rope, throw a pint of ale, or pull the rug out from under an enemy.   Stunt   Standard ActionVariesTarget:   VariesAttack:   VariesHit:   The attack does a base 1d6, 1d10, or 2d6 damage—use the lower damage expressions for maneuvers that would hit multiple enemies and/or cause conditions on the target.  Add your ability modifier to damage, or +3 if an ability modifier wouldn't be applicable.Special:   Use your best judgment to determine this type of attack.  It may be like a basic melee or ranged attack, or could be an ability or skill check against one of the target's defenses.         You can make any reasonable assumptions about objects in your environment (for example, a torch on the wall of a keep, or a loose rope on a ship).  Otherwise, ask the DM.Action Point:   For truly outlandish maneuvers, the DM may require you to spend an action point.  These cause 2d6, 2d10, or 4d6 damage instead.  By spending an action point, you can also make up a plausible object in the environment to attack with—perhaps the enemies are standing right under a massive chandelier, in front of a ship's boom, or near a pot of boiling soup.          Feint                        You fake out your foe before making a surprise attack.   Stunt   Move ActionMelee 1Target:   One creatureAttack:   Bluff vs. Passive InsightHit:   Your gain combat advantage against the target with the next melee attack you make this turn.Miss:   If you fail the check by 5 or more, the target gains combat advantage against you until the end of your next turn.      Flying Steel                    You impulsively throw your melee weapon at a nearby enemy.   Stunt ◊ Weapon   Standard ActionRange 5 or 6Target:   One creatureAttack:   Strength or Dexterity vs. ACHit:    As basic attack.Miss:   If you miss my 5 or more, your weapon becomes lodged in a tree, mast, or wall, and takes a standard action to retrieve.Effect:    An off-hand weapon is considered a light thrown weapon with a range of 6.  Other weapons are considered heavy thrown weapons with a range of 5.  A thrown shield uses the proficiency bonus and damage of a club.           Knife Trick                    With a deft bit of sleight-of-hand, you make a unexpected attack with a concealed weapon.   Stunt   Move ActionMelee 1Requirement:   You must be using a light blade.Target:   One creatureAttack:   Thievery vs. Passive PerceptionHit:    You gain combat advantage against the target with the next melee attack using a light blade this turn.Miss:    If you fail the check by 5 or more, you have a -2 penalty to the next attack you make this turn.      Leaping Charge                You leap through the air and make an impact.   Stunt ◊ Weapon   Standard ActionMelee WeaponSpecial:   You charge an enemy, with the following adjustments:      Athletics Check: Make an Athletics check to     jump as part of this attack.         Hit: You get a power bonus to damage equal to     your Athletics check divided by 5.  If your     check is 25 or higher, you also knock the     target prone.      Miss: If you miss the attack by 5 or more, you     fall prone and take 1d10 damage if your jump     check was 25 or higher.          Monster Lore                    You recall a useful bit of information from a monster you have read about and relay it to your allies.   Stunt   Move ActionArea burst 10Target:   One creature in burstAttack:   Knowledge check DC 20 for Heroic tier monster, 25 for Paragon tier monster, 30 for Epic tier monster      Aberrant, elemental or shadow: Arcana      Aquatic or water: Seafaring      Natural beast or fey: Nature      Immortal or undead: ReligionHit:    Choose a power that can be used by the targeted monster.  You and your allies get a +1  bonus to defenses the next time that power is used against them.Miss:   If you fail the check by 5 or more, the DM chooses a power possessed by the monster.  You and your allies have a -1 penalty to defenses the next time that power is used against you.          Parlay                        With a few diplomatic words, you pause the combat and negotiate.   Stunt   Standard ActionArea burst 10Requirement:   You must speak a language understood by your enemiesTarget:   All creatures in burstAttack:   Diplomacy vs. highest enemy Will +5.  You have a -5 penalty if you are losing the fight, and a +5 if you are winning.Hit:   You and your enemies temporarily halt the combat and you may attempt to negotiate.  Enemies are assumed to ready their actions as you talk.  Depending on what you say, the combat may end or go to an interaction skill challenge.      If the parlay fails and combat resumes, all characters may take their readied actions and then initiative is rerolled.      Read Enemy                    You study a foe, predicting its next move.   Stunt   Move ActionArea burst 5Target:   One humanoid creatureAttack:   Insight vs. Will +5Hit:   You may read either the target's positioning or attacks.      Positioning: You get a +1 bonus to attacks     against the target until you miss it.      Attacks: You get a +1 bonus to your     defense against the target until it hits you.Miss:   If you fail the check by 5 or more, you have the following penalty:      Positioning: You have a -1 penalty to attack     against the target until you hit it.       Attacks: You have a -1 penalty to defenses     against the target until it misses you.Special:   You may not use this power again until you no longer have a bonus or penalty in effect from using this power.      Sunder                    You strike out at an enemy's weapon with shattering force.   Stunt ◊ Weapon   Standard ActionMelee 1Requirement:   You must be wielding a magical weaponTarget:   A wielded nonmagical weapon, implement, or shieldAttack:   Strength vs. Reflex +2.Hit:   Roll damage as per a basic attack.  You destroy the object if you roll damage equal to or greater than the value below:      Off-hand weapon: 8 damage      One-handed weapon: 10 damage      Two-handed weapon: 15 damage      Shield: 20 damageMiss:   If you miss the attack by 5 or more, you provoke an attack of opportunity.       Total Offense                You let loose an avalanche of blows, forsaking defense.   Stunt ◊ Weapon   Standard ActionMelee 1Requirement:   You must be bloodied.Target:   One creatureAttack:   Strength +2 vs. AC, two attacksHit:   As basic attack.Effect:   The target makes an opportunity attack against you.      You have a -2 penalty to defenses until the end of your next turn.Trip                        With a shove or shield bash, you wallop an opponent off their feet.   Stunt ◊ Weapon   Standard ActionMelee 1Target:   One creatureAttack:   Strength vs. Fortitude +2 or Dexterity vs. Reflex +2Hit:   1d6 damage and the target is prone.Miss:   If you fail the attack by 5 or more, you provoke an opportunity attack from the target.Tackle:   You may fall prone to give yourself a +1 bonus to this attack.  If you hit, you may push the target 1 square and enter the target's previous square.</blockquote>

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