Swallow Whole?

[chaotix42]

This ability has always been one of those that stuck out as particularly odd to me - every monster with the swallow whole ability can automatically close any hole cut through their gizzard/stomach/whatever from the inside? What about holes cut from the outside?

If monsters are still swallowing PCs in 4e, and I hope they are, I really do hope that it ends up with something like the first PC to cut its way out of the creature's belly ruins the monster's swallow whole ability, AND causes the beast to lose lots of HP. Make it real difficult to cut your way out.

 

[Sir Brennen]

It seems there's been a couple references to these types of creatures in some of the playtest reports/blogs. IIRC, one character was puked up by the creature, rather than "cutting their way out". Seems like a pretty obvious thing to me; something doing that much damage to a creature's throat or stomach, the creature is going to want to get rid of it PDQ.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Muscular action closes the hole.

 

[WayneLigon]

This ability has always been one of those that stuck out as particularly odd to me - every monster with the swallow whole ability can automatically close any hole cut through their gizzard/stomach/whatever from the inside? What about holes cut from the outside?

If monsters are still swallowing PCs in 4e, and I hope they are, I really do hope that it ends up with something like the first PC to cut its way out of the creature's belly ruins the monster's swallow whole ability, AND causes the beast to lose lots of HP. Make it real difficult to cut your way out.

Eh, it's a stretch but you really have only two other options as I see it: (1) Make it really tough to cut your way out. This means a significant number of characters will be condemned to almost instant death, or if multiple people are swallowed they'll be just waiting around bored while one guy gets to have the fun of saving them. (2) The hole stays open, which gives everyone else a free get-out-of-stomach card. Neither are particularly good options.

 

[Jhulae]

To be honest, getting swallowed is almost a death sentance. I'm guessing that most people don't realize that a swallowed character is considered grappled.

Unless the character already has a light weapon available or can inflict piercing/slashing damage in some other way, a swallowed character needs to win a grapple check to draw one...

 

[The Little Raven]

To be honest, getting swallowed is almost a death sentance.

In one of my friend's 3.5 campaigns, another friend got swallowed whole twice in the same battle and cut himself out with a light weapon both times and then killed the thing. The hardest part of that fight was making sure our laughter didn't rock the table too much.

 

[Nightchilde-2]

My problem with swallowing whole is that, say, a creature can hold 2 medium-sized humans in it's stomach, but only like 64 houseflies? WTF?

 

[lukelightning]

I like the "puke" option...after enough irritation the t-rex or whatever barfs the victim up... preferably right on top of the halfling rogue.

...a creature can hold 2 medium-sized humans in it's stomach, but only like 64 houseflies?...

Because flies are icky! How many flies do you want to hold in your stomach?

 

[heirodule]

I too dislike the swallowed whole rule.

I was amused that a Rogue of mine was safer IN the gut. He unfortunately cut himself out without killing the monster (dragon eel) and then got bit again, dying.

We need a "wedge something in the creatures mouth" ability though. Its a classic move.

Can you do it in Star Wars?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

My problem with swallowing whole is that, say, a creature can hold 2 medium-sized humans in it's stomach, but only like 64 houseflies? WTF?

They die instantly and are therefore no longer creatures. Most creature's won't be able to swallow 64 creatures, since each grapple attempt costs an attack!

Or the 64+ houseflies are a swarm, in which case they are just one creature...