Staking vampires?

[0-hr]

What game mechanic do you use in order to determine if a vampire has been "staked though the heart" when attacked with such a weapon?

Our first thought was "on any critical hit" which would even cover the coup-de-grace when you find them sleeping in their coffin - but then some smart alec pointed out that vampires are undead and thus immune to criticals

 

[Artoomis]

I don't think you can normally stake a vampire through the heart unless it is helpless.

That said, I can see the desire for a Buffy-like attack where you use a stake like a dagger attack, or slay him with a crossbow.

I'd say run it like a vorpal blade. A natural "20" followed by another attack roll that must hit (confirming the "critical").

 

[Velmont]

What game mechanic do you use in order to determine if a vampire has been "staked though the heart" when attacked with such a weapon?

Our first thought was "on any critical hit" which would even cover the coup-de-grace when you find them sleeping in their coffin - but then some smart alec pointed out that vampires are undead and thus immune to criticals

I don't know the official rules, but you can say when a vampire should have recieve a critical, instead of having more damage, just assumed this critical have staked him if the weapon have the propriety needed to stake a vampire.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Well, the rules are pretty simple; reduce the vampire to less than 0(zero) hp, then stake it through the heart with CDG. The vampire will not be granted a save, nor will it take additional damage from this attack. As per the description it is just slain, until, if ever, the stake is removed.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Yeah, I have to say that what seemed necessary in my experience with vampires in D&D games is:

1. Bring them to 0hp; they turn gaseous and flee to their coffin

2. Find the coffin before they regenerate enough to regain consciousness.

3. Open the coffin.

4. Stake the vampire. (Coup de grace or a standard action--it's never come up because we were never in combat at the time).

5. Make sure nobody removes the stake. Usually, this means taking the lid off the coffin, moving it outside and letting the noonday sun take care of the vampire.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Our first thought was "on any critical hit" which would even cover the coup-de-grace when you find them sleeping in their coffin - but then some smart alec pointed out that vampires are undead and thus immune to criticals

Note that the rules now state that secondary effects which are activated by a critical hit work on creatures immune to critical hits (like flaming burst or a mace of disruption). The "vampire staking" should be such an effect.

I'd make a stake light melee 1d3, crit x20 or something, an improvised weapon.

And don't forget disarm rules (which vampires want to use when you go at them with a stake).