Siege weapons

[marune]

I plan to use a few catapults to defend an Orc encampment, I've read the rules about siege weapons in the DMG but I'm not sure to understand it all. It says that once you sucessfully targeted a 5-ft square, you automatically hit that square with next "attacks".

My question is : Is there any way for a character to dodge a projectile coming from a siege weapon? (except moving to another square of course )

 

[marune]

Nobody as an idea about it?

 

[Infiniti2000]

That's probably because you can't. I think everyone would agree that a siege weapon constitutes a 'massive' weapon, so deflect arrows wouldn't work. Are you looking for an additional feat, say deflect RFB arrows that would work?

Keep in mind that siege weapons are really slow, so people can generally really easily avoid them.

 

[marune]

Yeah, but if they are loaded and ready when PCs approach the entry of the cave, they will get squashed

 

[JimAde]

Yeah, but if they are loaded and ready when PCs approach the entry of the cave, they will get squashed

Yes they will. Unless you rule that you can't just leave the catapult "locked and loaded"* all the time. If it's really a catapult (as opposed to a trebuchet or something) then it's storing its energy as torsion. Basically big, wound ropes. Just like you wouldn't really leave a crossbow "locked and loaded" all the time you wouldn't do that to a catapult either. So the crew will have to crank it back to fire it giving the PCs ample time to notice them. Or you could say that it is ready to go, but sitting in that state has affected it enough that the crew has to roll to hit even if they've sighted in the square previously.

*I'm using this phrase to avoid the granny filter which will catch the word you normally use for having a crossbow or rifle ready to fire.

 

[marune]

Ok Good point here.

Thanks.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Weapons.

Also:

Characters whosucceed on a DC 15 Reflex save take half damage.

That is the dodge.