House Rule: Sap Knockout

[ChimericDream]

I really think that once you get past level 3 or so, trying to knock someone out with a sap per the RAW is nigh impossible. I'd like to know what people here think of this variant based on the Assassin's Death Attack.

Sap Knockout
If a character studies his target for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a sap and hits, the attack has the additional effect of possibly knocking the target unconscious. While studying the target, the character can undertake other actions so long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the character or recognize the character as an enemy. If the target of such an attack fails a Fortitude save (DC character's class level + 1 per d6 of sneak attack or similar class feature) against the knockout effect, she falls unconscious. The target is rendered helpless and unable to act for 1d6 minutes plus 1 minute per level of the character. If the target receives 1 point of healing (such as from a cure spell), they are woken up, but take a -2 to all actions for the next 3d6 minutes. If the target's saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once the character has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the knockout attack within the next 3 rounds.

If a knockout attack is attempted and fails (the target makes her save) or if the character does not launch the attack within 3 rounds of completing the study, 3 new rounds of study are required before he can attempt another knockout attack.

 

[CleverNickName]

I really think that once you get past level 3 or so, trying to knock someone out with a sap per the RAW is nigh impossible. I'd like to know what people here think of this variant based on the Assassin's Death Attack.

We've always ruled that a sap attack deals damage normally and knocks you out unless you make a Fort save (DC = 10 + damage dealt). Of course, we don't have any high-level rogues or assassins, so it might be broken when you factor in multiple dice of sneak attack damage.

 

[Gerion of Mercadia]

We've always ruled that a sap attack deals damage normally and knocks you out unless you make a Fort save (DC = 10 + damage dealt). Of course, we don't have any high-level rogues or assassins, so it might be broken when you factor in multiple dice of sneak attack damage.

It can be when you are looking at 10d6 of it... DC 40 ot 50 or something....

I would definitely let an assassin get a stunning attack instead of a death attack if he decided to use a sap however - it just makes sense.

You might also take a look at the Stunning Fist feat.