In combat, can your PCs fight from atop a corpse?

[reveal]

In my game, we use minis and use a grid with squares that represent 5-ft each. We have a house rule that, if there is a corpse in a square, the PC can move through that square but they can not stop in the square and fight in that square. I always felt that would be like fighting atop a corpse.

What do you do in your campaign? Can players enter a square with a corpse and fight in there? Do they take negatives if they can?

 

[Alchemist]

In my game, we use minis and use a grid with squares that represent 5-ft each. We have a house rule that, if there is a corpse in a square, the PC can move through that square but they can not stop in the square and fight in that square. I always felt that would be like fighting atop a corpse.

What do you do in your campaign? Can players enter a square with a corpse and fight in there? Do they take negatives if they can?

My players suffer no penalty for fighting atop the bodies of the slain. Worst case scenario wouldn't have me banning combat in a corpsed square, but impose whatever penalties are applicable for uneven/unstable terrain. I certainly wouldn't ban stopping in the square in any case.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I doubt there are specific rules for that. I'd make my players roll a Balance check or a Reflex save since they are supposed to be bouncing around in their area trying to avoid attacks. Both would take into account that they might trip over the corpse. If they fail then they've tripped and are considered prone until they stand up.

Edit: Oops... If they only make a standard attack instead of a Full Attack action (they've not moved more than 5') then I wouldn't require the roll as they'd be taking the extra care not to trip.

 

[Izerath]

Two simple rules

Fighting from a square which contains a corpse or object (no bigger than medium-size) is allowed and uses the following rule:

Any character taking a Standard action in an object-occupied square takes a -2 AC penalty while he remains in the square.

This rule represents the limited mobility in the square with an object or corpse (including tables, chairs etc.).

A Balance check can be attempted when the character wants to avoid the AC penalty. To do so, the character must use a move equivalent action to attempt a Balance check DC 15. If successful, the AC penalty is waived until the character's next action. Failure simply results in the penalty applying as normal.

This is helpful for characters who want to remain over a corpse or fallen comrade, essentially "protecting" them from coup de grace attacks, etc., or to simulate the cinematic "fight around the table" scenes where characters use furnishings to aid in their defense.

The balance check needs to be made each round for the AC penalty to be avoided, so a Balance check and standard action results in the character's actions being expended for the round.

 

[CCamfield]

My DM imposes a balance check (a pretty low one, I think) to avoid falling when entering a square with a corpse, but otherwise doesn't impose penalties. And horse-riders (like my PC) can jump over them.

 

[Henry]

There should be no problem or at worst a small penalty to fight from a 5-ft square with a corpse in it. If one were to mark off a 5 foot by 5 foot square on the floor, they would quickly come to realize that that is a LOT of room, more than enough to move around in. At worst, you might have a chance to trip over the body, but I would only assign that if you're normally assigning chances to trip in cluttered areas. But stopping and fighting there? No problem.

 

[MojoGM]

Interesting question.

5' x 5' is a lot of space, but in combat you are moving all around and in all directions.

I suppose I'd call for a balance check (DC 10 or 12 maybe) or suffer a -2 penalty to rolls (the corpse getting in your way).

I've never done this before, but that question has come up in the last few games (fighting in confined spaces) so it may be something I'll try.

 

[reveal]

Thank you for all the opinions.

One thing I am going to implement is the Difficult Terrain rule for the square with the corpse within it. I will consider the corpse "Dense Rubble."

Is there another type of Difficult Terrain you would consider a corpse to be? Also, I don't see any negatives given to attacks from Difficult Terrain. Are there any I'm just not seeing? If so, what would it be for Dense Rubble?

 

[Enkhidu]

Are there any penalties to fighting from a square that a living medium creature is prone in? If not, why would there be penalties from a prone corpse?

 

[PJ]

In my game, we use minis and use a grid with squares that represent 5-ft each. We have a house rule that, if there is a corpse in a square, the PC can move through that square but they can not stop in the square and fight in that square. I always felt that would be like fighting atop a corpse.

What do you do in your campaign? Can players enter a square with a corpse and fight in there? Do they take negatives if they can?

Yes. IMC as soon as the enemy mini is removed from the grid, anyone can enter the square with the "corpse" in it and do anything.