Another "Knife to the throat" attempt. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Another "Knife to the throat" attempt. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
meatpuppet
06-07-06, 11:45 AM I'm trying to tone down the "Coup de Grace" full-round action so it can be used as a ready action.

Here is what I've come up with so far:

KNIFE TO THE THROAT (Special ready action)
By using this readied action, you can use a piercing weapon or a slashing weapon to deliver a deadly strike to a helpless opponent (asleep, tied, surrendered, etc.). You can also use a bow or crossbow, provided you are adjacent to the target.
For this readied attack only, in addition of being considered helpless, the target, is denied its armor bonus to AC (Natural armor still applies) and the attacker's weapon threat range is tripled. This effect does not stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon. Rogues may add their sneak attack damage.
This special attack does not provokes attacks of opportunity from threatening opponents and cannot be used against creatures immune to critical hits.
Does it seem balance to you? What do you think?

Thanx in advance :D
ShinAkuma2
06-07-06, 12:21 PM There's already a feat that allows a Coup de Grace as a standard action.

Also, adding to the threat range of a Coup de Grace is pointless, since it's an automatic critical hit.
Shadowfax7
06-07-06, 12:48 PM There's already a feat that allows a Coup de Grace as a standard action.What is the name of this feat and where is it ??
Arindor
06-07-06, 01:13 PM Without using the feat here is what you could do. There used to (not sure it was 3.0 or 3.5) be a way of starting a full round action that got completed using a standard action your next turn. So the person is somehow helpless (asleep, helpless, bound) and you start your full round action which is a coup de gras. Envision this as putting the knife to the throat. Now on your next turn you would finish your full round action by using your standard action but instead you delay (nothing in the rules say you can't delay at this point as far as I know) or ready an action to complete your full round action and voila! You have a coup de gras situation that is hard to interupt and your standoff begins.
ShinAkuma2
06-07-06, 01:14 PM What is the name of this feat and where is it ??

Death Blow, in Complete Adventurer.
meatpuppet
06-07-06, 02:46 PM Without using the feat here is what you could do. There used to (not sure it was 3.0 or 3.5) be a way of starting a full round action that got completed using a standard action your next turn. So the person is somehow helpless (asleep, helpless, bound) and you start your full round action which is a coup de gras. Envision this as putting the knife to the throat. Now on your next turn you would finish your full round action by using your standard action but instead you delay (nothing in the rules say you can't delay at this point as far as I know) or ready an action to complete your full round action and voila! You have a coup de gras situation that is hard to interupt and your standoff begins.
Very Interesting, I think that's what I'm going to use.

Thanks :D

BTW, I found what you were refering to in the 3.0 SRD

Start full round action
[Partial][AoO:No]
Description: The start full-round action partial action lets a character start undertaking a miscellaneous full-round action, which the character can complete on the following round (even with a partial action). This option is normally used when a character has been magically slowed or is suffering some other condition that restricts the character from taking full round actions.
bitnine
06-07-06, 03:17 PM On a slight side note, I'd allow a trigger condition for a readied action to be "if they regain their dexterity bonus." Sounds a little metagamish because of the terms, but it's basically readied the knife to attack at the first twitch they make; as long as they willingly remain immobile and helpless, the triggering won't apply.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
meatpuppet 06-07-06, 11:45 AM	I'm trying to tone down the "Coup de Grace" full-round action so it can be used as a ready action. Here is what I've come up with so far: KNIFE TO THE THROAT (Special ready action) By using this readied action, you can use a piercing weapon or a slashing weapon to deliver a deadly strike to a helpless opponent (asleep, tied, surrendered, etc.). You can also use a bow or crossbow, provided you are adjacent to the target. For this readied attack only, in addition of being considered helpless, the target, is denied its armor bonus to AC (Natural armor still applies) and the attacker's weapon threat range is tripled. This effect does not stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon. Rogues may add their sneak attack damage. This special attack does not provokes attacks of opportunity from threatening opponents and cannot be used against creatures immune to critical hits. Does it seem balance to you? What do you think? Thanx in advance :D
ShinAkuma2 06-07-06, 12:21 PM	There's already a feat that allows a Coup de Grace as a standard action. Also, adding to the threat range of a Coup de Grace is pointless, since it's an automatic critical hit.
Shadowfax7 06-07-06, 12:48 PM	There's already a feat that allows a Coup de Grace as a standard action.What is the name of this feat and where is it ??
Arindor 06-07-06, 01:13 PM	Without using the feat here is what you could do. There used to (not sure it was 3.0 or 3.5) be a way of starting a full round action that got completed using a standard action your next turn. So the person is somehow helpless (asleep, helpless, bound) and you start your full round action which is a coup de gras. Envision this as putting the knife to the throat. Now on your next turn you would finish your full round action by using your standard action but instead you delay (nothing in the rules say you can't delay at this point as far as I know) or ready an action to complete your full round action and voila! You have a coup de gras situation that is hard to interupt and your standoff begins.
ShinAkuma2 06-07-06, 01:14 PM	What is the name of this feat and where is it ?? Death Blow, in Complete Adventurer.
meatpuppet 06-07-06, 02:46 PM	Without using the feat here is what you could do. There used to (not sure it was 3.0 or 3.5) be a way of starting a full round action that got completed using a standard action your next turn. So the person is somehow helpless (asleep, helpless, bound) and you start your full round action which is a coup de gras. Envision this as putting the knife to the throat. Now on your next turn you would finish your full round action by using your standard action but instead you delay (nothing in the rules say you can't delay at this point as far as I know) or ready an action to complete your full round action and voila! You have a coup de gras situation that is hard to interupt and your standoff begins. Very Interesting, I think that's what I'm going to use. Thanks :D BTW, I found what you were refering to in the 3.0 SRD Start full round action [Partial][AoO:No] Description: The start full-round action partial action lets a character start undertaking a miscellaneous full-round action, which the character can complete on the following round (even with a partial action). This option is normally used when a character has been magically slowed or is suffering some other condition that restricts the character from taking full round actions.
bitnine 06-07-06, 03:17 PM	On a slight side note, I'd allow a trigger condition for a readied action to be "if they regain their dexterity bonus." Sounds a little metagamish because of the terms, but it's basically readied the knife to attack at the first twitch they make; as long as they willingly remain immobile and helpless, the triggering won't apply.