Should CE monsters always Coup de grace?

[Emirikol]

All:

As a DM, I'm constantly faced with how often to Coup de Grace characters > Should Chaotic Evil monsters/npc's always coup de grace characters as a rule?

What would a LE or NE opponent do as a rule?

jh

 

[Dimwhit]

Short answer: no.

There's nothing in the rules that says a CE villian/creature will always Coup-de-Grace a character. Sure, they have more of a tendency to do it, but they don't have to. And there could be many reasons not to, all of which are totally up to your discretion. Keeping them around as slaves comes to mind.

I think evil will usually do what benefits them, within some restrictions, usually. It's not always in their best interest to CDG the character. Of course, sometimes it is. But basically, it's totally up to you.

 

[Munin]

I wouldn't think that chaotic creatures would always do anything. They're as likely to grin and walk away as slit their foe's throat.

 

[Umbran]

"Always" covers quiet a number of possibilities. I don't think being CE overwhelms simple tactical necessity. If there's still an opponent standing, is the critter going to stop for the cdg? I doubt it. The CE critter/creature with any intelligence will only do this when it happens to make decent sense.

 

[frankthedm]

All:

As a DM, I'm constantly faced with how often to Coup de Grace characters > Should Chaotic Evil monsters/npc's always coup de grace characters as a rule?

What would a LE or NE opponent do as a rule?

jh

It should matter more on the situation, and thier motives. If the battle is going in thier favor and they can spare the 6 seconds then they should if no one else is threatening them. If they are thretened by another foe attack that foe with the primary weapon or attack and use a weak attack [not cdg]to kill the guy already dying.

If they a dumb and attacking for food, then eat it or grab the helpless food and leave with it.

If they are smart enough to recognize healing and see some one casting healing spells on thier foes side, then heck yes and they should go out of thier way to slay the dying.

Are they raging psychopaths? Then they just attack untill they know your dead.

Are all the other foes occupied? Then kill the foe your fighting if you feeling bloodthirsty.

If the CE foes win the battle, they definilty make sure thier foes are dead, de-equiped and defiled.

 

[Dimwhit]

If the CE foes win the battle, they definilty make sure thier foes are dead, de-equiped and defiled.

I would respectfully disagree on this point. I don't think that's an automatic. I could think of many reasons to keep them alive after the battle. Slavery, torture, etc. And it could be a good set up for the next step in a campaign.

For a DM looking to not kill a PC in this situation, I think it's easy. CE, IMO, doesn't mean a desire to see each and every think it doesn't like dead. There are worse fates than death...

 

[Rugger]

"Always" covers quiet a number of possibilities. I don't think being CE overwhelms simple tactical necessity. If there's still an opponent standing, is the critter going to stop for the cdg? I doubt it. The CE critter/creature with any intelligence will only do this when it happens to make decent sense.

I think Umbran summed it up best: what should they do tactically?

If there are 3 other PC's around threatening the baddie, it would be in his best interests to take care of the enemies at hand...he can always slit throats after they are all incapacitated

BUT, if the NPC knows just what the reaction would be from the other PC's or if its personal...I'd do it in special situations just to get a point across...

-Rugger
"I Coupe!"

 

[BOZ]

I wouldn't think that chaotic creatures would always do anything. They're as likely to grin and walk away as slit their foe's throat.

right. chaotic evil villans should never ALWAYS DO anything.

chaotic = unpredictable! hell, when in doubt roll a die to see what they do!

 

[babomb]

I'd say the chaotic evil villians would be more likely to keep the characters alive and gloat or torture them or what-have-you.

 

[frankthedm]

if the CE foe has a REASON and the ability to keep captives then some of the party might not be killed, but the "dangerous" ones are in trouble. Amputations, permenant maiming are just some of the options that would be used.

Unfortunatly the D&D system has little in the way of effective tortures usable on PC's. There is almost no way to induce the Orchome [stockholm] syndrome in a player's character in the rules as written. And if the character's struggle against captivity after thier captors expect them to be mentally broken then things will get bad....

"if you take a spellcaster then you cut out thier tounge,simple gags canslip off."

"That overmuscled fool trying to break his bonds again!? slit his tendons."

"that one's a breeding slave, she won't need her legs."

the ones who will take slaves will often know what to do with them.