Stunts that grant combat advantage

[Kzach]

We all love page 42 but have you ever given any real thought to what situations you would consider giving combat advantage to the characters?

Before 4e was released I proposed a simple stunt system but it was mainly knocked back on the basis that we didn't know how easy or hard it would be to get combat advantage and what balance issues it would entail.

Now we know.

So here I go again. The idea isn't really unique or new and it's already contained within page 42, it's just not spelled out in the way that I'm suggesting.

Basically, you allow some sort of stunt that requires some sort of ability or skill check that, if successful, grants combat advantage.

We already have Bluff as an example of how this can work. So I suggest using that as a baseline. In other words, it's a standard action and can only be used once per encounter and grants combat advantage to you until the end of your next turn.

My suggestions would be:

Acrobatics (DC = opponents Reflex defence)
Athletics (DC = opponents Fortitude defence)
Intimidate (DC = opponents Will defence)
Diplomacy (DC = opponents Insight check)
Endurance (DC = opponents Fortitude defence)

I would even go so far as to allow a check once per encounter, per skill. Imagine a scenario where a character is attempting every little trick in the book to gain an advantage. Backflips and tumble rolls all over the place, leaping up onto tables and kicking chairs into the path of the enemy, blood-curdling howls of vengeance, pleas for mercy and forgiveness in exchange for money, flurries of merciless blows that momentarily weaken your opponent, etc.

Of course, players would have to be imaginative as well

 

[Alex319]

Well, it doesn't seem very often that it would be worth spending your entire standard action just to have a chance of getting CA for one turn. Standard actions are one of the most important resources in the game, and there are lots of ways of getting CA that don't involve burning a standard action.

 

[Smeelbo]

If it's a standard action, then sure, I think it costs too much to be abused. But Acrobatics is part of a move action, and you just know rogues are going to ask for move action stunts to gain Combat Advantage. Our DM even said yes to a specific instance last week.

I would say first, only one skill check for Combat Advantage per encounter, keeping it in line with Bluff. For Acrobatics, I would have the move action stunt provoke an Opportunity Attack. Indeed, this is little different than provoking an OA from moving behind the enemy, but is useable only once per encounter.

Smeelbo