Logistics of staking a vampire?

[Drowbane]

A vampirehunter who can stake during combat? Hmm, smacks of "PrC".

IMG Mithral = Silver

That is a common House Rule in these parts as well. Due to the insane price of a Mithral Weapon (which normally has no real benefit) we count it as silver for overcoming DR without the -1 damage. Mithral weapons are still rare as hen's teeth.

note: IMC alot of the vampire weaknesses mentioned in the MM are just superstition and folklore... perhaps even misinformation spread by the nosferatu.

 

[Sejs]

That is a common House Rule in these parts as well. Due to the insane price of a Mithral Weapon (which normally has no real benefit) we count it as silver for overcoming DR without the -1 damage. Mithral weapons are still rare as hen's teeth.

Ahem.

Yoink.

 

[Thurbane]

A vampirehunter who can stake during combat? Hmm, smacks of "PrC".

I've often thought about creating a Slayer (ala Buffy) base or prestige class, but it always seemed over powered...

I still think you could safely apply the variant "Instant Kill" critical rule from p.28 of the DMG to staking a vamp through the heart in combat - I mean, how many times is someone going to roll two natural 20s in a row...

 

[pawsplay]

I've often thought about creating a Slayer (ala Buffy) base or prestige class, but it always seemed over powered...

I still think you could safely apply the variant "Instant Kill" critical rule from p.28 of the DMG to staking a vamp through the heart in combat - I mean, how many times is someone going to roll two natural 20s in a row...

Well, the first time you use the rule, a kobold warrior is going to do it to the party fighter. Mark my words on this.

 

[Iku Rex]

As others in the thread have already pointed, by-the-book you can't make such a called shot

Where in the books does it say that?

(2) If you want to make a called shot in order to produce a specific effect (crippling someone by shooting them in the leg, for example) you make your attack normally. If the damage from the attack exceeds a called shot threshold of 10 + the target's HD, the target must make a Fortitude save vs. DC 10 + damage. If the save is failed, the special effect is achieved (in addition to inflicting damage normally).

Is there any reason why players won't make a called shot on all attacks? On higher levels this means that pretty much every blow will result in a "crippled" opponent.

 

[moritheil]

Where in the books does it say that?

I don't think he means to say it's explicitly denied, just that it isn't supported in 3.5.

 

[Wolfwood2]

However, if I was looking to emulate Buffy-style vampire fights -- where getting staked seems to be a meaningful Achilles' heel with the vampires -- I'd probably use a mechanic like that to simulate it: If you exceed threshold X, have the vamp make a Fort save to avoid the staking. (Or Reflex save? Your call.)

If I were looking to emulate Buffy-style fights with D20, I'd just rule that the vampire has to be beaten down to (some low number) of hitpoints with physical blows, and then a stake can be used as a weapon for the final damage.

Which is exactly how Buffy does it. Mook vampires (those without a name and low hitpoints) she can dust with a single stake blow. Anyone named she has to spend a few rounds beating them over the head with punches and kicks (knocking down their hitpoints) before applying the stake to finish the job.

 

[Thurbane]

Well, the first time you use the rule, a kobold warrior is going to do it to the party fighter. Mark my words on this.

If I roll a double 20 and then confirm a hit (roughly a 0.00125% chance, assuming a 50/50 hit ratio) in front of my players, they should accept their death with good grace, no?

 

[dvvega]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but IMC the way this kind of thing is handled during combat is generally:

Fighter jumps on Vampire and Grapples, next couple of characters jump on to assist and Pin, last character goes for the stake in the heart which is pretty much coup de grace style (FOR save or stake is in).

 

[MarkB]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but IMC the way this kind of thing is handled during combat is generally:

Fighter jumps on Vampire and Grapples, next couple of characters jump on to assist and Pin, last character goes for the stake in the heart which is pretty much coup de grace style (FOR save or stake is in).

By the book, pinned characters are not Helpless, and thus not eligible for Coup the Grace.

Additionally, vampires are seriously strong, so achieving a pin will be difficult.

Additionally, a vampire could simply go gaseous and be free of the fighter.