Trample

[gnfnrf]

A number of strange quirks regarding the trample special ability came up in a recent game session I played in.

For reference, here is the SRD text on Trample.

As a full-round action, a creature with this special attack can move up to twice its speed and literally run over any opponents at least one size category smaller than itself. The creature merely has to move over the opponents in its path; any creature whose space is completely covered by the trampling creature’s space is subject to the trample attack. If a target’s space is larger than 5 feet, it is only considered trampled if the trampling creature moves over all the squares it occupies. If the trampling creature moves over only some of a target’s space, the target can make an attack of opportunity against the trampling creature at a -4 penalty. A trampling creature that accidentally ends its movement in an illegal space returns to the last legal position it occupied, or the closest legal position, if there’s a legal position that’s closer.

A trample attack deals bludgeoning damage (the creature’s slam damage + 1½ times its Str modifier). The creature’s descriptive text gives the exact amount.

Trampled opponents can attempt attacks of opportunity, but these take a -4 penalty. If they do not make attacks of opportunity, trampled opponents can attempt Reflex saves to take half damage.

The save DC against a creature’s trample attack is 10 + ½ creature’s HD + creature’s Str modifier (the exact DC is given in the creature’s descriptive text). A trampling creature can only deal trampling damage to each target once per round, no matter how many times its movement takes it over a target creature.

Subject 1: Does the "Reflex Save or AoO" rule given in Trample replace any AoOs the trampling creature might provoke for movement as normal? Does this change if the other creature has reach?

Subject 2: The language specifies that Trample affects "foes". Can a trampling creature move through allies' squares without penalty (and without trampling them)? Can a trampling creature trample into an ally who is grappling a foe, and trample only the foe?

Subject 3: If the trampling creature "accidentally" ends in an illegal space, it displaces. What if it chooses to do so on purpose? Does this displacement negate the trample effect for previous movement on this action? Does the displacement movement also trample?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

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gnfnrf

 

[Nail]

A number of strange quirks regarding the trample special ability came up in a recent game session I played in.

As a player or DM? Perception can make a difference.

Subject 1: Does the "Reflex Save or AoO" rule given in Trample replace any AoOs the trampling creature might provoke for movement as normal? Does this change if the other creature has reach?

As I read it, the targets of the trample don't get an AoO if they try for a Ref save, regardless of their own threatened area. However, movement through other creature's threatened area provokes, so the "Trample-er" has to soak up those AoOs.

Subject 2: The language specifies that Trample affects "foes". Can a trampling creature move through allies' squares without penalty (and without trampling them)? Can a trampling creature trample into an ally who is grappling a foe, and trample only the foe?

Strickly speaking, yes. It's not a ranged attack, so there's no chance of missing (like with ranged attacks). That said, I wouldn't allow that sort of nonsense IMG. YMMV

Subject 3: If the trampling creature "accidentally" ends in an illegal space, it displaces. What if it chooses to do so on purpose? Does this displacement negate the trample effect for previous movement on this action? Does the displacement movement also trample?

It can choose to end anytime. Just because it choses to end, doesn't mean the trample immediately before that didn't happen. Compare with Overrun.

If you need an image, think of a horse rearing and kicking out with it's legs at the end of a charge.

 

[frankthedm]

1. Movement based AoOs are drawn as normal as far as I can tell.

2. Normally, yes. In grapple: I say 'What reflex save?" Unless both grappling parties willingly end grapple, both eat the trample and niether gets a reflex save.

3. Closest unoccupied space. No bonus trampling

A number of strange quirks regarding the trample special ability came up in a recent game session I played in.

For reference, here is the SRD text on Trample.

That is the Monster ability trample, just to be sure no one later mixes them up, tyhe mounted trample rules are in the spoler block below..[sblock=Mounted trample]Trample [General]
Prerequisites
Ride 1 rank, Mounted Combat.

Benefit
When you attempt to overrun an opponent while mounted, your target may not choose to avoid you. Your mount may make one hoof attack against any target you knock down, gaining the standard +4 bonus on attack rolls against prone targets.

Special
A fighter may select Trample as one of his fighter bonus feats.

Overrun
You can attempt an overrun as a standard action taken during your move. (In general, you cannot take a standard action during a move; this is an exception.) With an overrun, you attempt to plow past or over your opponent (and move through his square) as you move. You can only overrun an opponent who is one size category larger than you, the same size, or smaller. You can make only one overrun attempt per round.

If you’re attempting to overrun an opponent, follow these steps.

Step 1
Attack of Opportunity. Since you begin the overrun by moving into the defender’s space, you provoke an attack of opportunity from the defender.

Step 2
Opponent Avoids? The defender has the option to simply avoid you. If he avoids you, he doesn’t suffer any ill effect and you may keep moving (You can always move through a square occupied by someone who lets you by.) The overrun attempt doesn’t count against your actions this round (except for any movement required to enter the opponent’s square). If your opponent doesn’t avoid you, move to Step 3.

Step 3
Opponent Blocks? If your opponent blocks you, make a Strength check opposed by the defender’s Dexterity or Strength check (whichever ability score has the higher modifier). A combatant gets a +4 bonus on the check for every size category he is larger than Medium or a -4 penalty for every size category he is smaller than Medium. The defender gets a +4 bonus on his check if he has more than two legs or is otherwise more stable than a normal humanoid. If you win, you knock the defender prone. If you lose, the defender may immediately react and make a Strength check opposed by your Dexterity or Strength check (including the size modifiers noted above, but no other modifiers) to try to knock you prone.

Step 4
Consequences. If you succeed in knocking your opponent prone, you can continue your movement as normal. If you fail and are knocked prone in turn, you have to move 5 feet back the way you came and fall prone, ending your movement there. If you fail but are not knocked prone, you have to move 5 feet back the way you came, ending your movement there. If that square is occupied, you fall prone in that square.

Improved Overrun
If you have the Improved Overrun feat, your target may not choose to avoid you.

Mounted Overrun (Trample)
If you attempt an overrun while mounted, your mount makes the Strength check to determine the success or failure of the overrun attack (and applies its size modifier, rather than yours). If you have the Trample feat and attempt an overrun while mounted, your target may not choose to avoid you, and if you knock your opponent prone with the overrun, your mount may make one hoof attack against your opponent.

[/sblock]