Unconscious Marking?

[fissionessence]

What happens to a mark when the 'marker' falls unconscious? A paladin's mark will fall off at the end of the next turn (unless you're unconscious adjacent to it?), a fighter's doesn't renew unless you continue attacking, but a swordmage's could just continue on forever. Plus, even if the mark is going to fall off, the marked creature's turn might take place after you're knocked unconscious, but before the mark wears away.

Is there a rule that removes the mark automatically, or does the marked enemy take a penalty for not stabbing you while you're down?

~

 

[Fede]

I don't know if there is a rule about it, but i would rule that the mark ceases if the marker is unconscious

 

[KidSnide]

I've also adopted the rule that marks are nullified when the marker goes unconsciousness. First, the "threat and distraction" aspect of the mark doesn't make very much sense when the marker is unconscious. But, more importantly, if you take the paladin example, do we really want a system where the marked enemy has to make a choice between taking damage and pounding on the unconscious guy?

 

[Oompa]

As said above..

Marks are somewhat kind of challenges.. "Fight me or suffer the consequences" well.. and unconscious character is not really challenging...

As i also could not find an rule clear in the book i would also say unconscious is ending mark..

 

[deleteme123456]

I always rule that they do, the other DM in my group gave each defender an option to choose to keep the mark on or let it slip (choice at character creation, not changable).

I always argue that it's a loophole for monsters, which don't have a clearly defined "next turn" if they're dead. If you're marked until the end of Kobold Dragonshield's next turn, and it dies before its next turn ever comes, when does it end? Sure you can make a ruling that says it really does get one more turn, but it's not actually there in the rules anywhere.

 

[Syrsuro]

I also ruled that the mark goes away when the target falls unconscious.

And if your players want the mark to persist, remind them that what that means is that creatures will have an incentive to hit them after they are already down - leading to PC death more often than not.

In short: The mark goes away because the alternative is that the creatures continue to attack downed defenders and attacking downed defenders is almost sure to lead to their death.

(And it also make sense due to the fluff - the downed character is obviously no longer a threat).

Carl

 

[livinginarizona]

I've even seen it go the other way, where a GM attacked an unconscious fighter that went down because the fighter had marked it.

I was playing my defender, went into the room and went full defense because I was expecting the BBEG to attack me as the only viable opponent that was standing, and the GM ruled the BBEG had to attack the unconscious fighter because of the mark.

WotC really needs to put this in a future update. Sometimes common sense needs to be written down because there ARE those out there that would say "It's not as written".

 

[fissionessence]

I was playing my defender, went into the room and went full defense because I was expecting the BBEG to attack me as the only viable opponent that was standing, and the GM ruled the BBEG had to attack the unconscious fighter because of the mark.

Well, he wouldn't have to attack the fighter because of the mark . . . he'd just take a -2 if he attacked someone else And as long as the defender is unconscious, the marked creature doesn't have to worry about provoking any immediate reactions, so that's at least one thing it doesn't have to worry about. And they can move away from the unconscious paladin to force the divine challenge to end . . .

However, I think I agree with everyone that the -2 should apply if the defender is unconscious. But I don't think the mark should disappear either. I would allow for the mark to continue for its duration, but have no effect as long as the defender is unconscious. That way when the defender wakes up, the mark immediately becomes active again.

~ fissionessence

 

[deleteme123456]

Keeping the mark without drawing fire while your unconscious is kind of like having your cake and eating it too. Even if you don't apply the -2, you don't have to reapply the mark when you get back up, so you've gained a minor action (non-Fighter defenders anyway), and you can potentially get extra benefits if you get back up before your turn (leaders, etc.). I'm not sure, but that seems a little too good.