Knocking PC's out

[coreyclark]

Is there any type of rule for knocking characters unconscious with a single blow, black jack style? If not, how could this be handled? Could this be accomplished if the character is any level or lower levels only?

Situation: Characters are traveling. They come to a town/city that is hosting a festival. This festival has games going on. These "games" are actually a front for taking folks unwillingly to fight in an arena. Multiple ways to get the characters, of course. But this abduction type comes to mind.

Thanks for any information.

Corey Clark
Valparaiso, IN

 

[Vaxalon]

There are no rules for this.

I would hesitate to create any. It doesn't fit with the way DnD handles such things.

If you want to do this, the best way to handle it is to have a high-level rogue sneak into their rooms when they're asleep and hit them with multiple subdual sneak attacks.

 

[hong]

A sneak attack with a sap does 1d6 + a potentially unbounded amount of sneak attack damage, all subdual. More than enough to take out the average joe.

Now ask yourself: would Arnie, Xena, Herc or Aragorn allow themselves to be knocked unconscious by one blow to the noggin? The same answer applies to player characters.

 

[Macbrea]

Ah, how to do this. Ok, this needs to be a two part group. To take them out. This doesn't work well vs the cleric but lets try it with everyone else.



First guy is
Rogue 9/Sorceror 1
Armed with a sap. 1d6 + str + 5d6 sneak attack
High charisma 18, Extend spell feat, spell focus(Echantment), Greater spell focus (enchantment)
Spells: Extended Daze (Will DC 18)

Second guy is Monk10 with choke hold feat.

This will allow you to walk upto most of your character and simple put their lights out. You will run into a bit of problem with your clerical types with this heavy handed attack method. But once you reduce the rest of the party you can deal with the cleric fairly quickly.

 

[kreynolds]

Now ask yourself: would Arnie, Xena, Herc or Aragorn allow themselves to be knocked unconscious by one blow to the noggin?

It happened to Arnie in Total Recall. Hey, it happens to everyone.

 

[AuraSeer]

If the PCs are first level, you could probably get away with the blackjack idea. As hong points out, a rogue using a blackjack (aka sap) can do a sneak attack for subdual damage. A first-level rogue with Str 14 will do 2d6+2 damage; unless he misses entirely, even a minimal damage roll will put down the average wizard or sorcerer.

High-hp types are more problematic, but still doable. A Brb1 probably has 16 hp. If three rogues jump out of hiding simultaneously, and all sneak attack him, they should be able to put him down while he's still flat-footed.

As PC levels increase, however, this becomes far more difficult to pull off reliably. You might still take out the spellcasters, if you catch them entirely unprepared, but the melee types will almost certainly remain standing for a round or more.

Magic is more likely to work consistently. For a low-level party, two or three Sleep spells should get everyone. At higher levels, you can Hold the people with low Fort saves, and Dominate the ones with low Will saves.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Poison could work, too.

Temporary stat damage will disable anyone if you pile enough doses on. It also does not necessarily cause any permenant damage.

If you throw enough doses at them even Hercules will drop.

If you choose a poison with Wis damage it will play havoc with their saves for followup Hold spells.

 

[Sigma]

The closest thing I can think of is the assassin's parlyze ability using a sap.

Course, that requires an assassin...

 

[hong]

It happened to Arnie in Total Recall. Hey, it happens to everyone.

Yeah, but IIRC at the time, he'd lost his memory and so was effectively just a 1st level commoner. A 1st level commoner with 18 Str and Con, but still a 1st level commoner.

 

[DM_Matt]

The closest thing I can think of is the assassin's parlyze ability using a sap.

Course, that requires an assassin...

Ninjas of the Crescent Moon also have a Silencing Strike attack. The fastest path to the pres class involves a couple levels of monk. Use Stunning Fist and Silencing Attack in conjunction with sneak attack ,and use ki straps to keep the DCs high. THat will allow you to keep hitting for another round or two without the victim being able to do anytihng or alert anyone. Pan Touch on top of this works well, too.