Emiricol
Registered User
Proposed by FireHorse:
Bolas: (1) These can make a "ranged trip attack", an action not described under Trip in the combat section. Opposed contests of strength do not seem appropriate, as the target is being wound-up, not jerked, nor should combatant sizes matter. It is also inappropriate that an opponent's legs be an easier target at range (for a trip) than his whole body (for a normal attack). Possible fix: Bolas entangle a struck target if it fails reflex-save DC of attacker's roll, and trip if it fails by 10 or more.
I would propose this:
1) The attacker should designate whether he is using the bolas for a subdual damage attack or for a ranged trip.
2) Subdual damage attack should be rolled normally as if it were any other type of thrown weapon attack.
3) Ranged Trip attack is rolled as a Ranged Touch attack with the defender subsequently rolling an opposing Reflex Save (DC=attack roll of attacker) if not flat-footed. If the trip is successfull, the defender is prone and can either cut the bolas as a full round action, unwind them as a 2 round action, or attempt to break them (DC 20) as a full round action. All these actions would provoke an AOO.
4) Using bolas to pin arms to torsos or wrap around the throat of the victim is impractical due to the increased amount of protection and movement of the torso vs. the legs. If allowed, the DC should be -5 or lower than the attack roll.
As a side note: If the bolas are directed to trip a character's mount, then the mount rolls its Reflex Save vs. the attack roll. Mounted Combat Feat rolls to avoid the attack may apply. The character will take 1d6 points of damage/30' movement rate that the mount is moving (1d6 minimum, per Soft Fall in the Ride Skill notes, although just 1d6 damage doesn't take into account the speed of the mount.) unless they make a successful Ride check (DC 15).
Bolas: (1) These can make a "ranged trip attack", an action not described under Trip in the combat section. Opposed contests of strength do not seem appropriate, as the target is being wound-up, not jerked, nor should combatant sizes matter. It is also inappropriate that an opponent's legs be an easier target at range (for a trip) than his whole body (for a normal attack). Possible fix: Bolas entangle a struck target if it fails reflex-save DC of attacker's roll, and trip if it fails by 10 or more.
I would propose this:
1) The attacker should designate whether he is using the bolas for a subdual damage attack or for a ranged trip.
2) Subdual damage attack should be rolled normally as if it were any other type of thrown weapon attack.
3) Ranged Trip attack is rolled as a Ranged Touch attack with the defender subsequently rolling an opposing Reflex Save (DC=attack roll of attacker) if not flat-footed. If the trip is successfull, the defender is prone and can either cut the bolas as a full round action, unwind them as a 2 round action, or attempt to break them (DC 20) as a full round action. All these actions would provoke an AOO.
4) Using bolas to pin arms to torsos or wrap around the throat of the victim is impractical due to the increased amount of protection and movement of the torso vs. the legs. If allowed, the DC should be -5 or lower than the attack roll.
As a side note: If the bolas are directed to trip a character's mount, then the mount rolls its Reflex Save vs. the attack roll. Mounted Combat Feat rolls to avoid the attack may apply. The character will take 1d6 points of damage/30' movement rate that the mount is moving (1d6 minimum, per Soft Fall in the Ride Skill notes, although just 1d6 damage doesn't take into account the speed of the mount.) unless they make a successful Ride check (DC 15).
