Vorpal trouble

[cmanos]

Targeted Dispel Magic

 

[Felonious Ntent]

Or use the 1e rules on Vorpal Swords.
Needs to have a neck and I believe can't larger than medium or something similar. Been too long and am going off memory here.

 

[dcollins]

Nope. It's still there in 3.5.

Ok, thank you. The clause is in the 3.0 SRD, but removed from the 3.5 SRD.

 

[azmodean]

IMHO the problem is the existence of the Vorpal sword in the first place, just don't like it.

That aside, I think it's perfectly resonable to say that you can't cut the head off of the creature if you can't reach it's neck. It's up in the air about girth of the target's neck preventing the effect. If I allowed a vorpal weapon, I'd let it magically cut through the entire neck.

 

[Henry]

As a house rule, it might be perfectly reasonable to say the vorpal weapon can only work on a creature up to one size larger than the weapon itself. Therefore, a Medium Vorpal Greatsword could only sever the neck of a Creature of Large size or smaller. You might even put that to "two sizes larger" if you want to keep the Jack the Giant Killer imagery.

Otherwise, the rules don't specify a limit.

 

[RigaMortus]

The monster has to bend down to hit the PC, right? That's when he cuts his head off.

And I can slice a hot bastard sword through 16 feet of butter. Just imagine that's how the property works. After all, it's a +5 enhancement. That means the weapon costs at least 72,300gp, right? Right.

I totally agree...

 

[shilsen]

Ok, thank you. The clause is in the 3.0 SRD, but removed from the 3.5 SRD.

Glad to help. That's my main beef with the SRD and why I rarely use it. There are far too many important little bits from the books which get snipped in the SRD version.

 

[Crothian]

IMHO the problem is the existence of the Vorpal sword in the first place, just don't like it.

Well, with all the save or die spells most high level casters have, the fighters of the world need something like vorpal to keep up.

 

[Jdvn1]

Whats the rule on Fortification Armor vs a Vorpal weapon.?

Vorpal=Dmg 3.0 says loss of head on a succesfull critical hit.

Fortification=produces magical force that protects vital areas. Chance of negating crits or sneak attacks. (Again 3.0 DM Guide)

Sounds like the monster in question should be wearing Heavy Fortification armor 100% and make it a moot point.
(+5 Fort bonus is equal to +5 vorpal enchantment.)

Thats the way I read it.

Yeah, the Heavy Fortification armor property trumps Vorpal IIRC.

 

[Plane Sailing]

What if the giant monster opens up with a disarm attempt against him? Especially if you give it improved disarm. It's size and strength ought to let it easily trump his ability to hold on to the weapon (even if he has a locked guantlet) and then for extra laughs the monster can turn the sword on him. Even with a penalty for using an inappropriately sized weapon it ought to put the fear of Pelor into him...