Ranged trip attacks?

[ackron]

If this was posted in an ealier thread I could not find it.

In the 3.5 PHB under equipment it states that bolas can be used for ranged trip attacks, but there are no rules for them given in the combat section under trip attacks.

It doesn't really make sense to use an opposed strength check for a trip attack when you throw bolas at someone, so what is the rule to determaine whether they are tripped or not?

 

[Vanye]

It doesn't really make sense to use an opposed strength check for a trip attack when you throw bolas at someone, so what is the rule to determaine whether they are tripped or not?

Sure it does. It's a reflection of the force of your throw. Unlike a sling or an arrow, the bola has heavy weights on the end that would add to the force of the blow, keeping the momentum going. I'd just use the normal check. It's simplistic, and doesn't require any exotic mechanics.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

And, as a bonus, you can't be tripped back!

 

[ackron]

Unlike a sling or an arrow, the bola has heavy weights on the end that would add to the force of the blow, keeping the momentum going. I'd just use the normal check. It's simplistic, and doesn't require any exotic mechanics.

It is definatly simplistic, but I disagree that it makes sense. In order to use bolas effectivly, you have to get them up to a certian speed and then throw them. Once you have acheived that speed, just like a sling, additional rotational force does not make the weapon more effective. The force of the throw is part of the attack roll, its what accounts for range incrament penalities, it does not apply to tripping.

Compair this to tripping with a hook, for example, where you make an attack roll, and then you use strength to try and pull them off thier feet. Sure you have to hit them with the bolas, but you are certianly not pulling them off thier feet. The tripping action comes from the weapon itself entangling them, more like a net, not the strentgh of the attacker pulling on the weapon.

If there is no rule for this, I will have to come up with somthing myself, but it seems like there must be a rule somewhere. Certianly anyone who has used bolas has had to address this question.

 

[tauton_ikhnos]

Just a quick post to point out that Strength doesn't have all that much to do with accuracy when wielding a dagger, either. Strength is an abstract measure of "ability to hit, and hit hard", not just raw power.

 

[IceBear]

Given the fact that they didn't give special rules I think they meant for it to be the same as normal.

Perhaps assign a STR 10 to the bola?

 

[ackron]

Perhaps assign a STR 10 to the bola?

That is an excellent idea. I could also see Effective strenth 12 or 14 bolas which work somthing like composte bows, which allow you to apply more of your strength bonus to the trip attempt, provided you have enough strentgh to weild the weapon in the first place.

 

[tauton_ikhnos]

I'll also point out that Strength applies to damage from thrown weapons, bolas included.

Really, there's no reason to make up special rules for a bola trip attack.

 

[AGGEMAM]

What Tauton said.

Bolas are thrown weapons and should therefore not be compared to ammunition like arrows.

 

[Darklone]

What Tauton said.

Bolas are thrown weapons and should therefore not be compared to ammunition like arrows.

Sheesh, Aggemam, at first glance I thought you married and cut your hair! Nice sig, nice prince.