A Ranger's Combat Style [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Ranger's Combat Style [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
M-bark
02-22-08, 11:59 AM I've always liked the ranger class somewhat, especially the Combat Style class feature. I've recently started to wonder about something, though. Are rangers with Combat Style (archery) treated as having all the prerequisite feats for the ones he gains through Combat Style? For instance, is a level 2 ranger with Combat Style (archery) treated as having Point Blank Shot? And is a level 11 ranger with Combat Mastery (archery) treated as having Point Blank shot and Precise Shot?
Watcher_in_the_mists
02-22-08, 12:03 PM In the PHB it states that the ranger acquires the feat wether or not he meets the prerequisites, not that he acquires the feat and the prerequisites.

Its written black on white.
LoneFlame
02-22-08, 12:59 PM Unfortunately, the combat styles get kinda annoying when you want to expand on them & don't have a lot of the essential feats for it. This only really applies to the Archery style.

If you want to be good at archery, you'll still have to get those feats you bypassed anyway, which kinda takes a bit away from the combat style's usefulness.
pigknight
02-22-08, 01:26 PM You can't forget that TWF is useless unless the ranger fights his favored enemy a lot.
dman11235
02-22-08, 04:29 PM Wait, what? How is the ranger's TWF reliant on his favoured enemies?

@LoneFlame: they're still bonus feats. And three of the best archery feats you can get.
pigknight
02-22-08, 05:30 PM TWF is oly good when you have bonuses. TWF basically doubles favored enemy's bonus.
The_Shaman
02-22-08, 06:03 PM Not necessarily. Certainly, TWF works best if you have bonus damage (FE, skirmish/sneak attack/sudden strike + telling blow, assassin stance, hunter's eye, etc), but there are ways to use it decently without such problems. My favourite is to go TWF with a two-handed weapon and an off-hand attack that does not require a free hand (unarmed strike, blade boots, armor spikes/razors etc) and get the best of both styles. Oh, and throw in Favored PA while you're at it.

The -2 to attack means a -4 to damage if you're comparing it with a PA-based two-hander, but a few off-hand attacks can be worth it. A ranger 11/monk4/shou disciple 5 with ascetic hunter that double-wields a guisarme/ranseur (with FoB) and unarmed strikes can do some nasty stuff - especially as iirc SD lets you flurry in light armor - and between a reach weapon and unarmed strikes has a 10-foot reach and versatility in what kind of damage they can deal. You could do something similar with a variety of builds, even a ranger with a level or two in Fist of the Forest for some decent unarmed damage.

Another use of the TWF style I've seen - but not tried myself - was to go sword & shield and take the Shield Bash feat - or, if you've feats to spare, improved buckler defense and a buckler that can serve as a weapon (dwarves iirc had one). Rangers aren't exactly known for their high AC, and the ability to use your shield as a secondary weapon or - and - enjoy a decent AC isn't too bad in case animated shields aren't that common in your campaign.
pigknight
02-22-08, 06:29 PM You can not use TWF and a two hander, even if you use unarmed striks.
LoneFlame
02-22-08, 06:30 PM Personally, I would like to see more than just 2 combat styles. That may just be me, though.

The TWF style does alright when taking feats to augment it(such as 2-weapon Pounce & Dual Strike), since the required feats are usually TWF.

The Archery style still requires Point Blank Shot for most of the feats to improve on your Archery. Ranger doesn't give you that, so you still have to spend a feat on that. With that in mind, in the field of Archery, you're almost better off being a bloody Fighter.
dman11235
02-22-08, 06:54 PM Unless you throw in spells and scout levels. Then ranger becomes a lot better. The feats aspect, fighter tops it though. Just throw in a couple fighter levels if you want.
ciaran
02-22-08, 07:00 PM I'm all up for additional styles. They're proficient with shields, but has anyone seen a ranger use one?

Maybe a chain for shields and a chain for two-handed weapons.
Maybe a skill feat chain?
The_Shaman
02-22-08, 07:32 PM You can not use TWF and a two hander, even if you use unarmed striks.

You can. All you need for a two-hander is to have two hands free, and elbows/feet/spikes are fair game for an off-handed attacks. Using an unarmed strike as an off-hand weapon in particular is presented in the Rules of the Game articles # 2 and 3 on Unarmed attacks, with a longspear/unarmed combination being mentioned in the 3rd article. Have you found any official ruling supporting your case?

- note: the combination uses only 1 unarmed attack as an off-hand, and thus it does not receive off-hand penalties. AFAIK other articles have dealt with making itirative off-hand attacks with unarmed strikes, armor spikes, etc. On armor spikes, however, their desctiption here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/armor.htm#armorSpikes) would imply that they can indeed be used if both of your hands are busy - otherwise there would be no need to add that you can't make an off-hand attack with them if you've made one with another off-hand weapon.
Jaxgaret
02-22-08, 08:12 PM Personally, I would like to see more than just 2 combat styles. That may just be me, though.

They exist. Page 100 (http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Classes-Base.pdf).
StruckingFuggle
02-22-08, 08:20 PM You can not use TWF and a two hander, even if you use unarmed striks.

Yeah, as The_Shaman said, yes you can. Well, unless you can surprise us and produce a rule saying you can't, there are rules saying you can, so those take precedence.

I doubt you'll be able to, but...

Prove it.
Jaxgaret
02-22-08, 08:26 PM You can THF & TWF with Greatsword + Armor Spikes, so I see no reason why you cannot THF & TWF with Greatsword + UAS.
pigknight
02-22-08, 10:55 PM I can't seem to find a page where its says if you can or can't.
StruckingFuggle
02-22-08, 10:58 PM It doesn't have to say you can, because you're wielding two weapons, and twf rules make no exceptions for weapons you can twf with.
pigknight
02-22-08, 11:45 PM It has rules for light and one handed weapons. None for two-handers.
dman11235
02-22-08, 11:51 PM Actually, it only stipulates that the penalty is lessened by 2 if the off-hand is light.
archerpwr
02-22-08, 11:59 PM Unless you throw in spells and scout levels. Then ranger becomes a lot better. The feats aspect, fighter tops it though. Just throw in a couple fighter levels if you want.

I recently finished building the best non-magic based archer I've made so far. No fighter levels needed. I can't seem to make an evil/neutral version of it though.
dman11235
02-23-08, 12:14 AM Well, I'm curious now. Share please?
Drackthor
02-23-08, 04:56 AM Well, I'm curious now. Share please?

Seconded.
The_Shaman
02-23-08, 06:30 AM Double post, please delete.
The_Shaman
02-23-08, 06:35 AM I can't seem to find a page where its says if you can or can't.

For example a 7th-level monk with a Strength score of 15 that uses a longspear as a primary weapon and makes an off-hand unarmed attack has attack bonuses that are +3 longspear, +7 unarmed. This breaks down as follows: The longspear is +5 base, +2 Strength, -4 two-weapon (off-hand weapon is light). The unarmed strike is +5 base, +2 Strength -- off-hand penalties don't apply to a monk's unarmed strike. Because a longspear is a two-handed weapon, damage from the weapon is 1d8+3. Damage for the unarmed strike is 1d8+2 -- a monk gets her full Strength bonus for unarmed strikes, even when used as off-hand attacks. - here (http://64.223.12.31/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20070410a)

Here's something from part 2 (http://64.223.12.31/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20070410a), which deals with how non-monks can make extra unarmed attacks:

A creature can choose to treat its unarmed attacks as its primary attacks and its natural weapons as secondary attacks. (This method is normally used to add weapon attacks to a natural attack routine.) The creature must make all unarmed attacks with its primary limb, which prevents that hand from being used for a natural attack such as a claw or slam. It uses its full base attack bonus for the natural attack, gaining additional attacks as normal for a high base attack bonus, and adds its full Strength bonus on damage rolls. Of course, each of these attacks provokes an attack of opportunity if the target is unarmed (unless the creature has Improved Unarmed Strike). However, its natural weapons all become secondary attacks, taking the -5 penalty on attack rolls (or -2 with the Multiattack feat) and adding only half the monster's Strength bonus on damage rolls.

A simpler method is to treat the creature's unarmed attack as an off-hand attack. (After all, an unarmed strike is rarely as effective as a weapon attack would be, so it doesn't really merit the same level of priority in the average monster's attack array.) Instead of using its primary limb to deliver the unarmed attack, it uses a kick, head butt, or other appendage that isn't otherwise used to deliver a natural attack. The creature gains one unarmed strike, which deals damage appropriate to its size plus half its Strength bonus (since it's an off-hand attack). A creature using this method suffers a -4 penalty on all attacks (since it's effectively fighting with two weapons and its off-hand weapon is light). The damage for its natural attacks is unchanged. This method requires fewer calculations on the fly, so it's probably easier to use in play. Note the disclaimed that you can use any free appendage to make unarmed attacks - such as head, feet, etc.

However, the above cases work if you want to make only 1 unarmed attack. If you want to make itirative attacks, I think another article said you lose your full str. bonus and take -2 (or whatever your TWF penalty for light weapons is) on it.
M-bark
02-23-08, 08:37 AM Wow. Thanks for all the replies guys. I got it now. :D

You can THF & TWF with Greatsword + Armor Spikes, so I see no reason why you cannot THF & TWF with Greatsword + UAS.

...next time I'm in a Gestalt game, I'm going Monk//Ranger. Definately. :D
ciaran
02-23-08, 11:18 AM It doesn't have to say you can, because you're wielding two weapons, and twf rules make no exceptions for weapons you can twf with.

One in each hand, see below. Notice references to primary hand and off hand.

OGL:
TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING [GENERAL]
You can fight with a weapon in each hand. You can make one extra attack each round with the second weapon.

Prerequisite: Dex 15.

Benefit: Your penalties on attack rolls for fighting with two weapons are reduced. The penalty for your primary hand lessens by 2 and the one for your off hand lessens by 6.

Normal: If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon. When fighting in this way you suffer a –6 penalty with your regular attack or attacks with your primary hand and a –10 penalty to the attack with your off hand. If your off-hand weapon is light the penalties are reduced by 2 each. (An unarmed strike is always considered light.)

Special: A 2nd-level ranger who has chosen the two-weapon combat style is treated as having Two-Weapon Fighting, even if he does not have the prerequisite for it, but only when he is wearing light or no armor.

A fighter may select Two-Weapon Fighting as one of his fighter bonus feats.
dman11235
02-23-08, 11:29 AM That doesn't mean actual hands. People fall into that trap all the time. What it is is primary weapon/secondary weapon. It's just that this wording is a little more natural. If you want precedence, then look at multi-weapon fighting, natural attacks, etc. Also the fact that a monk (or really anyone with IUS) doesn't need to use hands to attack.
ciaran
02-23-08, 12:57 PM Sounds to me like a loophole.
pigknight
02-23-08, 01:06 PM That's exactly what I am saying. By RAW you can use a 2-hander and n unarmed strike, but by RAI you should only be able to duel wield two one handers at most.
The_Shaman
02-23-08, 01:24 PM Maybe, but what if the designers wanted to let you use all parts of your body for attack? Many martial styles rely on more than just the hands.
Jaxgaret
02-23-08, 01:40 PM That's exactly what I am saying. By RAW you can use a 2-hander and n unarmed strike, but by RAI you should only be able to duel wield two one handers at most.

RAI doesn't exist. There is only RAW and the rules in your game (RAYW).

Also, it explictly states in the PHB that Unarmed strikes do not need to be made with the hands, they can be made with any part of the body.
Drackthor
02-23-08, 06:32 PM RAI doesn't exist. There is only RAW and the rules in your game (RAYW).

Also, it explictly states in the PHB that Unarmed strikes do not need to be made with the hands, they can be made with any part of the body.

Yes. Because when they wrote that at -10 HP your character dies, but did not explicitly state he stops moving, they obviously meant for you to use only the words provided and not use logic whatsoever. I'm sure the developers expect every adventurer at -10 to continue fighting because, hey, the rules don't say otherwise, and RAI doesn't exist.
Jaxgaret
02-23-08, 11:56 PM Yes. Because when they wrote that at -10 HP your character dies, but did not explicitly state he stops moving, they obviously meant for you to use only the words provided and not use logic whatsoever. I'm sure the developers expect every adventurer at -10 to continue fighting because, hey, the rules don't say otherwise, and RAI doesn't exist.

The rules state that the character is dead at -10 HP. You can look up the word dead in the dictionary.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
M-bark 02-22-08, 11:59 AM	I've always liked the ranger class somewhat, especially the Combat Style class feature. I've recently started to wonder about something, though. Are rangers with Combat Style (archery) treated as having all the prerequisite feats for the ones he gains through Combat Style? For instance, is a level 2 ranger with Combat Style (archery) treated as having Point Blank Shot? And is a level 11 ranger with Combat Mastery (archery) treated as having Point Blank shot and Precise Shot?
Watcher_in_the_mists 02-22-08, 12:03 PM	In the PHB it states that the ranger acquires the feat wether or not he meets the prerequisites, not that he acquires the feat and the prerequisites. Its written black on white.
LoneFlame 02-22-08, 12:59 PM	Unfortunately, the combat styles get kinda annoying when you want to expand on them & don't have a lot of the essential feats for it. This only really applies to the Archery style. If you want to be good at archery, you'll still have to get those feats you bypassed anyway, which kinda takes a bit away from the combat style's usefulness.
pigknight 02-22-08, 01:26 PM	You can't forget that TWF is useless unless the ranger fights his favored enemy a lot.
dman11235 02-22-08, 04:29 PM	Wait, what? How is the ranger's TWF reliant on his favoured enemies? @LoneFlame: they're still bonus feats. And three of the best archery feats you can get.
pigknight 02-22-08, 05:30 PM	TWF is oly good when you have bonuses. TWF basically doubles favored enemy's bonus.
The_Shaman 02-22-08, 06:03 PM	Not necessarily. Certainly, TWF works best if you have bonus damage (FE, skirmish/sneak attack/sudden strike + telling blow, assassin stance, hunter's eye, etc), but there are ways to use it decently without such problems. My favourite is to go TWF with a two-handed weapon and an off-hand attack that does not require a free hand (unarmed strike, blade boots, armor spikes/razors etc) and get the best of both styles. Oh, and throw in Favored PA while you're at it. The -2 to attack means a -4 to damage if you're comparing it with a PA-based two-hander, but a few off-hand attacks can be worth it. A ranger 11/monk4/shou disciple 5 with ascetic hunter that double-wields a guisarme/ranseur (with FoB) and unarmed strikes can do some nasty stuff - especially as iirc SD lets you flurry in light armor - and between a reach weapon and unarmed strikes has a 10-foot reach and versatility in what kind of damage they can deal. You could do something similar with a variety of builds, even a ranger with a level or two in Fist of the Forest for some decent unarmed damage. Another use of the TWF style I've seen - but not tried myself - was to go sword & shield and take the Shield Bash feat - or, if you've feats to spare, improved buckler defense and a buckler that can serve as a weapon (dwarves iirc had one). Rangers aren't exactly known for their high AC, and the ability to use your shield as a secondary weapon or - and - enjoy a decent AC isn't too bad in case animated shields aren't that common in your campaign.
pigknight 02-22-08, 06:29 PM	You can not use TWF and a two hander, even if you use unarmed striks.
LoneFlame 02-22-08, 06:30 PM	Personally, I would like to see more than just 2 combat styles. That may just be me, though. The TWF style does alright when taking feats to augment it(such as 2-weapon Pounce & Dual Strike), since the required feats are usually TWF. The Archery style still requires Point Blank Shot for most of the feats to improve on your Archery. Ranger doesn't give you that, so you still have to spend a feat on that. With that in mind, in the field of Archery, you're almost better off being a bloody Fighter.
dman11235 02-22-08, 06:54 PM	Unless you throw in spells and scout levels. Then ranger becomes a lot better. The feats aspect, fighter tops it though. Just throw in a couple fighter levels if you want.
ciaran 02-22-08, 07:00 PM	I'm all up for additional styles. They're proficient with shields, but has anyone seen a ranger use one? Maybe a chain for shields and a chain for two-handed weapons. Maybe a skill feat chain?
The_Shaman 02-22-08, 07:32 PM	You can not use TWF and a two hander, even if you use unarmed striks. You can. All you need for a two-hander is to have two hands free, and elbows/feet/spikes are fair game for an off-handed attacks. Using an unarmed strike as an off-hand weapon in particular is presented in the Rules of the Game articles # 2 and 3 on Unarmed attacks, with a longspear/unarmed combination being mentioned in the 3rd article. Have you found any official ruling supporting your case? - note: the combination uses only 1 unarmed attack as an off-hand, and thus it does not receive off-hand penalties. AFAIK other articles have dealt with making itirative off-hand attacks with unarmed strikes, armor spikes, etc. On armor spikes, however, their desctiption here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/armor.htm#armorSpikes) would imply that they can indeed be used if both of your hands are busy - otherwise there would be no need to add that you can't make an off-hand attack with them if you've made one with another off-hand weapon.
Jaxgaret 02-22-08, 08:12 PM	Personally, I would like to see more than just 2 combat styles. That may just be me, though. They exist. Page 100 (http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Classes-Base.pdf).
StruckingFuggle 02-22-08, 08:20 PM	You can not use TWF and a two hander, even if you use unarmed striks. Yeah, as The_Shaman said, yes you can. Well, unless you can surprise us and produce a rule saying you can't, there are rules saying you can, so those take precedence. I doubt you'll be able to, but... Prove it.
Jaxgaret 02-22-08, 08:26 PM	You can THF & TWF with Greatsword + Armor Spikes, so I see no reason why you cannot THF & TWF with Greatsword + UAS.
pigknight 02-22-08, 10:55 PM	I can't seem to find a page where its says if you can or can't.
StruckingFuggle 02-22-08, 10:58 PM	It doesn't have to say you can, because you're wielding two weapons, and twf rules make no exceptions for weapons you can twf with.
pigknight 02-22-08, 11:45 PM	It has rules for light and one handed weapons. None for two-handers.
dman11235 02-22-08, 11:51 PM	Actually, it only stipulates that the penalty is lessened by 2 if the off-hand is light.
archerpwr 02-22-08, 11:59 PM	Unless you throw in spells and scout levels. Then ranger becomes a lot better. The feats aspect, fighter tops it though. Just throw in a couple fighter levels if you want. I recently finished building the best non-magic based archer I've made so far. No fighter levels needed. I can't seem to make an evil/neutral version of it though.
dman11235 02-23-08, 12:14 AM	Well, I'm curious now. Share please?
Drackthor 02-23-08, 04:56 AM	Well, I'm curious now. Share please? Seconded.
The_Shaman 02-23-08, 06:30 AM	Double post, please delete.
The_Shaman 02-23-08, 06:35 AM	I can't seem to find a page where its says if you can or can't. For example a 7th-level monk with a Strength score of 15 that uses a longspear as a primary weapon and makes an off-hand unarmed attack has attack bonuses that are +3 longspear, +7 unarmed. This breaks down as follows: The longspear is +5 base, +2 Strength, -4 two-weapon (off-hand weapon is light). The unarmed strike is +5 base, +2 Strength -- off-hand penalties don't apply to a monk's unarmed strike. Because a longspear is a two-handed weapon, damage from the weapon is 1d8+3. Damage for the unarmed strike is 1d8+2 -- a monk gets her full Strength bonus for unarmed strikes, even when used as off-hand attacks. - here (http://64.223.12.31/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20070410a) Here's something from part 2 (http://64.223.12.31/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20070410a), which deals with how non-monks can make extra unarmed attacks: A creature can choose to treat its unarmed attacks as its primary attacks and its natural weapons as secondary attacks. (This method is normally used to add weapon attacks to a natural attack routine.) The creature must make all unarmed attacks with its primary limb, which prevents that hand from being used for a natural attack such as a claw or slam. It uses its full base attack bonus for the natural attack, gaining additional attacks as normal for a high base attack bonus, and adds its full Strength bonus on damage rolls. Of course, each of these attacks provokes an attack of opportunity if the target is unarmed (unless the creature has Improved Unarmed Strike). However, its natural weapons all become secondary attacks, taking the -5 penalty on attack rolls (or -2 with the Multiattack feat) and adding only half the monster's Strength bonus on damage rolls. A simpler method is to treat the creature's unarmed attack as an off-hand attack. (After all, an unarmed strike is rarely as effective as a weapon attack would be, so it doesn't really merit the same level of priority in the average monster's attack array.) Instead of using its primary limb to deliver the unarmed attack, it uses a kick, head butt, or other appendage that isn't otherwise used to deliver a natural attack. The creature gains one unarmed strike, which deals damage appropriate to its size plus half its Strength bonus (since it's an off-hand attack). A creature using this method suffers a -4 penalty on all attacks (since it's effectively fighting with two weapons and its off-hand weapon is light). The damage for its natural attacks is unchanged. This method requires fewer calculations on the fly, so it's probably easier to use in play. Note the disclaimed that you can use any free appendage to make unarmed attacks - such as head, feet, etc. However, the above cases work if you want to make only 1 unarmed attack. If you want to make itirative attacks, I think another article said you lose your full str. bonus and take -2 (or whatever your TWF penalty for light weapons is) on it.
M-bark 02-23-08, 08:37 AM	Wow. Thanks for all the replies guys. I got it now. :D You can THF & TWF with Greatsword + Armor Spikes, so I see no reason why you cannot THF & TWF with Greatsword + UAS. ...next time I'm in a Gestalt game, I'm going Monk//Ranger. Definately. :D
ciaran 02-23-08, 11:18 AM	It doesn't have to say you can, because you're wielding two weapons, and twf rules make no exceptions for weapons you can twf with. One in each hand, see below. Notice references to primary hand and off hand. OGL: TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING [GENERAL] You can fight with a weapon in each hand. You can make one extra attack each round with the second weapon. Prerequisite: Dex 15. Benefit: Your penalties on attack rolls for fighting with two weapons are reduced. The penalty for your primary hand lessens by 2 and the one for your off hand lessens by 6. Normal: If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon. When fighting in this way you suffer a –6 penalty with your regular attack or attacks with your primary hand and a –10 penalty to the attack with your off hand. If your off-hand weapon is light the penalties are reduced by 2 each. (An unarmed strike is always considered light.) Special: A 2nd-level ranger who has chosen the two-weapon combat style is treated as having Two-Weapon Fighting, even if he does not have the prerequisite for it, but only when he is wearing light or no armor. A fighter may select Two-Weapon Fighting as one of his fighter bonus feats.
dman11235 02-23-08, 11:29 AM	That doesn't mean actual hands. People fall into that trap all the time. What it is is primary weapon/secondary weapon. It's just that this wording is a little more natural. If you want precedence, then look at multi-weapon fighting, natural attacks, etc. Also the fact that a monk (or really anyone with IUS) doesn't need to use hands to attack.
ciaran 02-23-08, 12:57 PM	Sounds to me like a loophole.
pigknight 02-23-08, 01:06 PM	That's exactly what I am saying. By RAW you can use a 2-hander and n unarmed strike, but by RAI you should only be able to duel wield two one handers at most.
The_Shaman 02-23-08, 01:24 PM	Maybe, but what if the designers wanted to let you use all parts of your body for attack? Many martial styles rely on more than just the hands.
Jaxgaret 02-23-08, 01:40 PM	That's exactly what I am saying. By RAW you can use a 2-hander and n unarmed strike, but by RAI you should only be able to duel wield two one handers at most. RAI doesn't exist. There is only RAW and the rules in your game (RAYW). Also, it explictly states in the PHB that Unarmed strikes do not need to be made with the hands, they can be made with any part of the body.
Drackthor 02-23-08, 06:32 PM	RAI doesn't exist. There is only RAW and the rules in your game (RAYW). Also, it explictly states in the PHB that Unarmed strikes do not need to be made with the hands, they can be made with any part of the body. Yes. Because when they wrote that at -10 HP your character dies, but did not explicitly state he stops moving, they obviously meant for you to use only the words provided and not use logic whatsoever. I'm sure the developers expect every adventurer at -10 to continue fighting because, hey, the rules don't say otherwise, and RAI doesn't exist.
Jaxgaret 02-23-08, 11:56 PM	Yes. Because when they wrote that at -10 HP your character dies, but did not explicitly state he stops moving, they obviously meant for you to use only the words provided and not use logic whatsoever. I'm sure the developers expect every adventurer at -10 to continue fighting because, hey, the rules don't say otherwise, and RAI doesn't exist. The rules state that the character is dead at -10 HP. You can look up the word dead in the dictionary.