X-bows at point blank range

[Maniac]

I am looking for rules to simulate a bow, crossbow or gun aimed at someones head (or a knife at the throat).

Due to the nature of Hit Points in D&D high hit point characters are generally not threatened by being in this situation and will probably just take a hit and continue fighting. I would like a way to increase the uncertainty of that particular situation.

What I was thinking is something along the lines of allowing the attacker in this situation to ready a Coup de Grace attack even thought the target is not helpless. But it should only be a possibility of Coup de Grace - exceptional characters should be able to act quickly enough to get out of the situation - maybe a reflex save.

Any thoughts? If there is a discussion on this topic I've missed please just let me know. Thanks.

M.

 

[trentonjoe]

howabout an automatic critical?

 

[gpetruc]

howabout an automatic critical?

Acually a critical hit with a dagger is only a max of 8 damage + 2xStr modif, and so it won't kill even an average 1st level PC.

But it should only be a possibility of Coup de Grace - exceptional characters should be able to act quickly enough to get out of the situation - maybe a reflex save.

How about an opposed Reflex Save, with the threatening character receiving a +5 circumstance bonus ?
In this way an heroic (PC class, higher in level, ...) character has a fair chance of avoiding it, while for a dumb NPC threatened by the heroic character the chance of escaping is very narrow.

The threatening character can even ready an action "I kill him if he tries to escape".

The problem is when to allow this rule to take place.
I'll say:
1) you can do this when the defender is helpless
(ex: you reach the evil guy while he's sleeping, place the knife on his throat and awake him)
2) if the opponent is surprised, flatfooted, you are at no more than 10 ft from him (or 5 ft when using a dagger) and he fails an opposed reflex save (with the surprised character getting a large bonus, let's say +5)
(ex: the rogue is hiding behind the curtains, the old wizard passes by: with a quick jump the rogue is in front of him with his hand crossbow ready)

 

[Maniac]

Do you think it is necessary to have a +5 bonus to the opposed reflex save roll? It would allow lower level characters a good chance to get the drop on higher level ones but I am not sure it is necessary.

Your list of setups where this can occur looks good. I am not sure what timing you had in mind but I would not call for the reflex save until the actual attack was to occur. As I said above I am not sure what kind of circumstance bonus I would allow - I guess it would depend in the circustance.

The type of scene I am looking for is classic in movies. The bad guys get the drop on the hero who stops whatever he's doing. Then either the hero gets captured allowing for a dramatic escape later or by creating some kind of diversion gets the drop on his attacker. In this case maybe the victim would gain the circumstance bonus.

Anyway, thanks for the ideas.

M.

 

[GWolf]

Well, heres what I am feeling.

Its a coup de grace, but the attacker has to make an attack roll, if succusseful, the defender makes a reflex save against that attack, if she succeceds by 10 or more, no hit, if she succeds by 5 or more, hit, less then 5, critical hit, fails, coup degrace.

 

[Khaalis]

Personally I think it is dependant on the situation.

If someone is being held physically, say one arm around the chest and a Knife held to the throat...

This is not a guarenteed Coup de Grace, as there is still a chance the PC can get away - resulting in a Grapple (and hoping to have some bonus from Escape Artist). If the Knife wielder can "hold" the victim with no effort (ie: Victim cant win a break free from grapple)... then I would say Coup De Grace as the victim is basically helpless. You could also rule that if the victim cannot break free in 3 round (18 seconds) the Coup de Grace, as 18 seconds is more than enough time to struggle and still use the knife.

Pretty much the same scenario for a Gun to the head (if held).
If it just held and the PC is free to move, this comes down to a Reflex save to avoid the Coup de Grace. Crit fail on the Reflex and you die, fail on the reflex take maximum critical damage. Make the save, dodge the bulet.

Just my humble thoughts on it.