Sundering an object you hold?

[howandwhy99]

Is it possible to sunder a weapon or object that your PC holds or has on their person?

Would it incur an AoO from those who threaten you?

Is this in a rules clarification somewhere?


- I guess I would say yes you can sunder it just like a 2nd edition barbarians retributive strike. You could even do it unarmed, if you can deal lethal damage with your fists. And that it would not incur an AoO per Table 8-2. But this is extrapolating from the PHB. I don't have all the Sage Advice columns to check.

- Plus I would say you do not need the sunder feat to do this.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

This is off topic, but amusingly enough, under the RAW you cannot tear a sheet of paper in half because your unarmed attack does nonlethal damage, but objects are immune to nonlethal damage.

 

[Liquidsabre]

Is it possible to sunder a weapon or object that your PC holds or has on their person?

Yes. See PHB p.158, Sundering Carried or Worn Objects.

This is off topic, but amusingly enough, under the RAW you cannot tear a sheet of paper in half because your unarmed attack does nonlethal damage, but objects are immune to nonlethal damage.

That'd be true except that a character can choose to deal lethal damage with an unarmed strike at a -4 penalty to hit. Furthermore, as a full round action a character may automatically strike an unattended object.

That sheet of paper is TOAST!

 

[FireLance]

This is off topic, but amusingly enough, under the RAW you cannot tear a sheet of paper in half because your unarmed attack does nonlethal damage, but objects are immune to nonlethal damage.

What Liquidsabre said, above. In addition, the Break DC mechanic (a simple Strength check) can also simulate the tearing of a piece of paper - I would probably set the Break DC at 5 or some similar ridiculously low number.

The Break DC method might also be more appropriate for simulating snapping a 1-inch diameter rope with your bare hands (Break DC 23) as your DM may rule that punching a rope is ineffective.

 

[Plane Sailing]

The Break DC method might also be more appropriate for simulating snapping a 1-inch diameter rope with your bare hands (Break DC 23) as your DM may rule that punching a rope is ineffective.

1 inch diameter? My goodness, I'd have put that at least DC30

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

This is off topic, but amusingly enough, under the RAW you cannot tear a sheet of paper in half because your unarmed attack does nonlethal damage, but objects are immune to nonlethal damage.

Heh, Break it with a DC 0 Strength check.

No need to use unarmed strikes!

 

[howandwhy99]

So you're saying I have to make an attack roll?

Sundering a Carried or Worn Object
You don’t use an opposed attack roll to damage a carried or worn object. Instead, just make an attack roll against the object’s AC. A carried or worn object’s AC is equal to 10 + its size modifier + the Dexterity modifier of the carrying or wearing character. Attacking a carried or worn object provokes an attack of opportunity just as attacking a held object does. To attempt to snatch away an item worn by a defender rather than damage it, see Disarm. You can’t sunder armor worn by another character.

This doesn't make sense to me. The PC has the weapon/object in their own hand(s). They are trying to break it over a knee or whatnot. Is an attack roll really necessary? Maybe the Break DC check is more appropriate in this case. And is the damage the same as an unarmed strike? Can you use a weapon, if you hold one as well? Does any of this incur an AoO?

 

[Kae'Yoss]

So you're saying I have to make an attack roll?


This doesn't make sense to me. The PC has the weapon/object in their own hand(s). They are trying to break it over a knee or whatnot. Is an attack roll really necessary? Maybe the Break DC check is more appropriate in this case. And is the damage the same as an unarmed strike? Can you use a weapon, if you hold one as well? Does any of this incur an AoO?

The quote refers to objects carried or worn by someone else. Sunder is only used to attack items in another's possession. For items that just lie or stand there or you have in hands, you use the rules for attacking/breaking objects.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/exploration.htm#smashinganObject
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/exploration.htm#breakingItems

 

[howandwhy99]

Thank you!

 

[diaglo]

So you're saying I have to make an attack roll?


This doesn't make sense to me. The PC has the weapon/object in their own hand(s). They are trying to break it over a knee or whatnot. Is an attack roll really necessary? Maybe the Break DC check is more appropriate in this case. And is the damage the same as an unarmed strike? Can you use a weapon, if you hold one as well? Does any of this incur an AoO?

attack rolls represent... hitting something at a place it is vulnerable.

so you may get an enhanced chance to hit... b/c the object has 0 Dex and now a -5 penalty to AC. but still ... you have to find the vulnerable points.

also b/c you are concentrating on making sure you hit it in the right place to cause it to break.... you are vulnerable to those around you... not so consumed with retributive strikes...

staff of power/magi aside... what would be the point of breaking something in your hands during combat? .. i mean besides disarming your opponent and then breaking his weapon...