Trip and Trip attacks

[cybermonkey]

Here's a stupid question...

Trip attacks: Are they literally "stick-your-leg-out-to-knock-your-opponent-down" type of attacks? Or are they any attack which you try to knock your opponent down (via pushes or slamming your body into theirs)?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Yes.

 

[cybermonkey]

Thanks.

Makes me wonder why the rules couldn't be a little more clear.

 

[CombatWombat51]

A trip could be a karate-style leg sweep, snatching their ankle with the tip of a whip, sticking your leg out as they run by, or just about anything else.

In fact, I have a little story. I DMed a brand new group, all new to D&D, last Saturday. When I DM for a new player, I don't like to say "you can't do that". When a character wanted to kick an NPC in the family jewels, I resolved it just like a trip attempt. I applied the same penalties to the aching NPC as if he were prone, and he took a move action to shake it off. It simulated the desired result well enough for us!

 

[tarchon]

Here's a stupid question...

Trip attacks: Are they literally "stick-your-leg-out-to-knock-your-opponent-down" type of attacks? Or are they any attack which you try to knock your opponent down (via pushes or slamming your body into theirs)?

I think the tendency of official FAQ rulings is to interpret it as something more like a grapple in which you try to push the opponent down, hence the touch-attack/Strength check sequence.

 

[Iku Rex]

Trip attacks: Are they...? Or are they ...?

Yes.

Thanks.

Makes me wonder why the rules couldn't be a little more clear.

Makes me wonder if that was an intentional joke or not...