What's the break DC on a Human?

[arscott]

How do rules handle big monsters just picking up people and ripping them in half using brute strenght. With inanimate objects, this is just a strenght check vs the materials break DC. Would creatures have a break DC?

 

[Herpes Cineplex]

I'd say the rules handle it with Death by Massive Damage.

Hey, if the big, strong beastie can pick up and try to tear some guy in half and can manage to do at least 50 points of damage, and if the hapless guy taking that damage blows his save, then you may as well say he was ripped in half.

--
not a big fan of inventing more ways to insta-kill characters
ryan

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I'd say the rules handle it with Death by Massive Damage.

Very good answer.

A day laborer (Commoner Lvl 2, 12 Con) could survive 15 points of damage. ~50 points is about right for a spectacular effect.

 

[Thanee]

There is no DC, it's impossible to use that maneuver on a human.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Terramotus]

I'd look at it as the giant is grappling the hapless human with one appendage (-20 to grapple check) and using his attacks to damage said human. I like aforementioned idea of using the Massive Damage save to decide if the guy is actually ripped in half by this. Great and impressive if the giant can manage to pull it off, but it has its risks against prepared fighters. But darn, can he pop off the heads off of the villagers but good.

 

[hong]

How do rules handle big monsters just picking up people and ripping them in half using brute strenght. With inanimate objects, this is just a strenght check vs the materials break DC. Would creatures have a break DC?

That is a "rend", and monsters like trolls have it in their stat block already.

If a monster doesn't have rend, it can still do damage by grappling. If it kills someone, describe the occasion in suitably gory terms.

 

[CombatWombat51]

The creature just has to do damage equal to the victim's hit points plus 10. Dead is dead, and heads knocked off necks like a golf ball from a tee is just description.

 

[ruleslawyer]

Well, not quite. There's a difference between dead (raise dead gets you back) and dead and dismembered (requires resurrection).

IMC, if you die due to massive damage or are reduced to - (your Constitution score+20) or lower hit points in a single attack, your body is "significantly damaged" and requires a resurrection to revive.