Wizards Stealing Weapons

[demon_jr]

Here is a use for true strike that I have been pondering.

I am not sure what the exact rules are since I don't have the PHB with me, but for disarming an opponent, you need to make an oppossed attack roll. If you are unarmed and beat your opponent's roll, you are now holding their weapon.

Now, from my understanding, if you have <i>true strike</i> active, you can use the +20 bonus on your disarm roll. That being the case, an unarmed wizard or sorcerer could hypothetically steal a weapon right out of a warrior's hands, if they roll fairly decent and can survive an attack of opportunity from their opponent. Assuming the wizard or sorcerer doesn't have improved disarm or other feats.

What do you think?

But then again, I don't think it is very likely an arcane spellcaster would want to be in the above situation.

 

[shilsen]

What do I think? By the rules, it's perfectly acceptable. Just hope the opponent doesn't have a backup weapon (esp. with Quick Draw).

 

[Crothian]

well, disarming does provoke an AoO, so you might get clocked first. Otherwise, it seems like a good idea.

 

[Galfridus]

I like it! Of course, the target will probably get +4 or +8 to their roll, since the caster is using a Tiny weapon and the target probably has a Small or Medium weapon. Even so...heh heh, have to use this.

 

[AuraSeer]

Yes, that does work.

For a single-classed wizard, this would probably be a tactical error. The mage can't do very much with the weapon he just took, and the unarmed fighter will probably just grapple him next round.

On the other hand, I may have just found a new combat tactic for my multiclass Ftr/Mnk/Sor. Menace me with a weapon, and I take it away; if it's a powerful weapon, I use it against you. Try to grapple unarmed, and suffer the monk beatdown. Me likes. =B^)

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Yet another reason to wear a locked gauntlet. . . .

+20 sounds really impressive but trying to disarm a greatsword will still be difficult:

+12 Size (tiny-small-medium-large=3 sizes different), most likely at least a +2 difference in BAB, most likely at least a +2 difference in strength bonusses, +1 for weapon focus, and at least +1 for masterwork/magic=+18 in the fighter's favor. In most cases, I would see the non-melee focussed wizard with only a slightly better than even shot at this even without the fighter wearing a locked gauntlet. And the wizard will probably get clocked with an AoO for his trouble.

The tactic will work much better for fighter/wizard types (hasted=true strike, disarm and then pick up the weapon) or wizard/monks (who are likely to have more BAB and strength bonus--and to have a higher AC that may enable them to avoid suffering from the AoO).

 

[Avatar28]

It's a nice thought, though. Obviously it would work better against a greatsword. Or suppose the Wizard were using the staff instead of a dagger. The staff is a large weapon, so no +12 for size difference. That would give a definite edge towards the wizard. Of course, the wizard could always cast Ghorus Toth's Melt Metal and render the point moot.

 

[Quidam]

How about stealing a weapon from range?

Greater Mage Hand, anyone?

 

[Avatar28]

Or possibily Telekinesis as well. Hehe.


Stormhur the fighter raised his sword, holding it in both hands at the ready. He had just finished dropping that annoying fighter from that band of adventurers that had been hounding him. His cohorts were keeping the others occupied. With an evil grin, he looked up at the magic user in robes 50 feet away across the battlefield. He would be next. Suddenly, the mage looked at him and begin waving his arms. No matter, he would run him through with his sword soon enough. Suddenly he felt a violent tug on his sword. He fought to hang on to it, but there it was again. His hands were unable to keep their grip on the sword as it gave a last wrench and pulled free. It floated over to the magic user who snatched it out of the air and shoved it into some kind of sack.

 

[0-hr]

Isn't there a rule in one of the spaltbooks that says you can use BOTH hands to disarm and call it a medium weapon?

Personally, the idea that this gives me is:

1) Kobolds close to attack.
2) Party laughs at the pathetic beasts.
3) Kobold sorceror with Truestrike grabs the flaming sword out of the fighter's hand and Dimension Doors away.
4) Party stops laughing (or stops laughing at the kobolds and starts laughing at the fighter )