Roper questions

[Dark Dragon]

Hi,

there are still some points quite unclear in the roper's description, despite 3.5 changes...

Here it goes (combat description for a roper from the SRD):

COMBAT
A roper hunts by standing very still and imitating a bit of rock. This tactic often allows it to attack with surprise. When prey comes within reach, it lashes out with its strands. In melee, it bites adjacent opponents with its powerful maw.
Drag (Ex): If a roper hits with a strand attack, the strand latches onto the opponent’s body. This deals no damage but drags the stuck opponent 10 feet closer each subsequent round (provoking no attack of opportunity) unless that creature breaks free, which requires a DC 23 Escape Artist check or a DC 19 Strength check. The check DCs are Strength-based, and the Escape Artist DC includes a +4 racial bonus. A roper can draw in a creature within 10 feet of itself and bite with a +4 attack bonus in the same round. A strand has 10 hit points and can be attacked by making a successful sunder attempt. However, attacking a roper’s strand does not provoke an attack of opportunity. If the strand is currently attached to a target, the roper takes a –4 penalty on its opposed attack roll to resist the sunder attempt. Severing a strand deals no damage to a roper.
Strands (Ex): Most encounters with a roper begin when it fires strong, sticky strands. The creature can have up to six strands at once, and they can strike up to 50 feet away (no range increment). If a strand is severed, the roper can extrude a new one on its next turn as a free action.
Weakness (Ex): A roper’s strands can sap an opponent’s strength. Anyone grabbed by a strand must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or take 2d8 points of Strength damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Skills: *Ropers have a +8 racial bonus on Hide checks in stony or icy areas.

1. Drag. Can a roper drag any creature of any size with any movement speed to itself with 10 ft. per round? E.g. a colossal red great wyrm making a dive???

2. What happens if a roper uses all his 6 strand attacks against one creature? Can it be dragged 60 feet then?

3. Is a creature struck by a strand considered grappled? Or can it act freely, e.g. cast spells, use a large weapon...?

4. Weakness. Works it once per strand per round, or once per round regardless of how many strands have hit?

5. The weakness does not come from poison, right?

Thanks for help,
the Dark Dragon

 

[isoChron]

Now I'm curious about the answers
I have no idea (beyond common sense).

If they weakness does not come from poison but strangulation where is the limit what it can strangulate ?

 

[paranoid]

1. Drag. Can a roper drag any creature of any size with any movement speed to itself with 10 ft. per round? E.g. a colossal red great wyrm making a dive???

from the SRD Roper Description (emphasis mine):

When prey comes within reach

Str 19, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 12

I think it will know better than to attack a colossal red great wyrm. But nevertheless, according to the description, it could. But any creature this large should make their DC19 STR check with relative ease.

2. What happens if a roper uses all his 6 strand attacks against one creature? Can it be dragged 60 feet then?

No. 10 feet altogether.

3. Is a creature struck by a strand considered grappled? Or can it act freely, e.g. cast spells, use a large weapon...?

It is not grappled if the roper uses its strand attacks for "normal" attacks (at +11, ranged touch). But it could grapple instead (+18). Not with the benefit of a ranged touch attack, of course.

4. Weakness. Works it once per strand per round, or once per round regardless of how many strands have hit?

Definitely unclear. I'd say once per attached strand the instant the strand is attached.

5. The weakness does not come from poison, right?

Doesn't say so, so it isn't.

cheers,
paranoid.