Post/Author/DateTime	Post
xanadu 04-03-05, 10:22 PM	One of my players is fascinated with his immovable rod. Needless to say one of my NPC horseman ran into one of these things on a full out charge. What happens?
Master9 04-03-05, 10:25 PM	well, it takes 8000 lbs of force or a dc30 strength check to move one...so it'd be like hitting a solid tree branch (provided he couldnt move it himself).
Shini Neko Ni 04-03-05, 10:36 PM	heh...That reminds me of something my PC's were talking about. They were thinking of horrible ways to kill somebody and one was involveing a Immovable Rod. Basicly you would have to find a way to teleport it inside of somebody and set it into place...Just think about it when its set you couldn't move without damangeing something inside of you. It was very unlike them I normaly think up the horrible ways to do things like that. Thats why I am normal DM for my group. :)
Salla 04-03-05, 11:06 PM	One of my players is fascinated with his immovable rod. Needless to say one of my NPC horseman ran into one of these things on a full out charge. What happens? Well, first and foremost, the charging guy stops. ;) Since you don't take any damage when you perform a charge (at least, from the charge itself), in this instance, I would probably say that the horseman takes no damage; however, I'd probably do some kind of variant on the Trip rule. The charger has to make a DC 30 STR check (+2 for charging), or he's going to get knocked down after running into it (either bouncing off or getting 'clotheslined', as you wish). I'm not of the reasoning that I-Rods should be used as offensive weapons. ;)
xanadu 04-04-05, 12:15 AM	Well yeah I was thinking along those lines but offensive weapon or not my players won't buy (nor would I) no damage. Living creature meets immovable object iis typically very messy.
Wyrd Bearer 04-04-05, 12:27 AM	Heh heh, my gnome character had an extendable pole that was made to duplicate the effects of an immovable rod. He kept it around in case he got on the paladin's bad side and planned to use it just the way you mentioned. His plan was this. 1) Gnome readies action to activate pole in the path of the paladin when he charges on his horse and then take a few steps back. 2) Pally charges. 3) Gnome's action goes off and he sets rod and jumps out of way. 4) Pally flies off horse and smashes into ground. 5) Gnome runs over and slits pally's throat and the party rejoices at the death of lawful stupid pally. Or at least that is how it worked out in my mind... Salla's method of working out what happened seems to be reasonable. I really cannot think of any other offensive way to utilize an immovable rod. Although, now that I think of it, I remember the group trying about a year ago to telekinesis a rod up a dragon's nose, get it stuck there and then telekinetically push the button. Either that or have the dwarven fighter get swallowed by the dragon and activate the rod in its belly. Don't know how effective that would have been though.
PhaedrusXY 04-04-05, 03:04 AM	Well yeah I was thinking along those lines but offensive weapon or not my players won't buy (nor would I) no damage. Living creature meets immovable object iis typically very messy.Meh, I've caught a large tree branch in the chest before from the back of a galloping horse. While I wouldn't call the experience "pleasant", I didn't have any broken bones or anything. The bigger problem was when my foot caught in the stirrup after I fell off. :D I don't think hitting an immovable rod would be that much different. Either way, it is the rider who's going to be the one moving, not the object he's hitting. At worst, you could have the guy take a bit of subdual damage and be knocked from his horse. I'd say no more than 1d6 or 2d6, really. Actually, you might give him a ride check with a pretty hefty DC to see if he manages to stay in the saddle. I've also had several "glancing blows" where I got hit by tree trunks and limbs, but didn't take a solid blow and so didn't get dismounted. (Yes, my friends and I used to be pretty crazy when riding horses sometimes. :P )
Andrew 04-04-05, 03:58 AM	Basicly you would have to find a way to teleport it inside of somebody and set it into place... I'm partial to keeping one ready in case of being eaten by a creature with Swallow Whole. Of course, I'd like to know what kind of damage/effect that would have.
primemover003 04-04-05, 11:13 AM	At best hitting an object that doesn't budge should do is 1d6. That's all you do falling off a mount, or being knocked into a wall (Awesome Blow or Telekinesis spell).
tarkin 04-04-05, 11:44 AM	It would depend on how fast you were moving. Charing might double damage. You can't teleport into someone, and you can't get into a body by being incorporeal. But you can use etheralness to get into a person's body. --------------- That said, My new favorite way to kill the tarrasque is to let it swallow you, activate the immovable rod, then escape using magic.
Evil Wizard 04-04-05, 03:00 PM	I'd say 1d6 of damage, just like getting thrown against a wall by something. It's not falling damage, with the full force of gravity slamming you into the ground, but it's still going to hurt when you get clotheslined by an immovable rod. Automatic trip/dismount is definitely called for here, unless the rider has an obscene Ride skill. And now I ask the rhetorical question, what is it about immovable rods that fascinates PCs so? So many other magic items have multiple applications for mischief, yet everyone's favorite toy is the stick you can put in the air and make stay there indefinitely.
Gold Katana 04-04-05, 03:05 PM	If anything, IR should cause more damage than falling. When you hit the ground (assuming you land close to flat) the impact is dispersed over your entire body. With IR, only one section is brought to a stop, while the rest of your bulk continues forward. For damage, it would depend on how fast you are moving. Still, a horse on a "full out charge" shouldn't deliver more than 1D6 damage. Falling 10' (1D6 nonlethal damage) puts you moving at around 24mph.
Wyrd Bearer 04-04-05, 04:30 PM	If anything, IR should cause more damage than falling. When you hit the ground (assuming you land close to flat) the impact is dispersed over your entire body. With IR, only one section is brought to a stop, while the rest of your bulk continues forward. Nah, there aren't any called shots. Though maybe some sort of modified stunning fist effect could be added, or just deal 1d6 damage and have the target stunned for a round or two (because the air got knocked out of them).
psionichamster 04-04-05, 07:49 PM	here's an idea... get a polearm, your favorite variety make a socket behind the head, where the head meets the handle of the weapon insert immovable rod in the weapon set to recieve charge when the baddy hits the point of the weapon, the force slides the head back slightly, enough to depress the button on the end of the I-rod spear stays set to recieve charge, baddy stays floating on spear...horse probably rolls (wanna be REALLY nasty, make it a spear with the "wounding" enchantment...and put sovereign glue on the tip in an alchemical vial, so that dude's not going ANYWHERE) namaste, the hamster (personally, i think it's better to use as a fastener for your lasso, when you rope the charging guy on his horse, then "set" the rod, you've got an effective str of 30 to yank him off, and it's NOT attached to your hand/arm! )
lordsathien 04-04-05, 11:01 PM	The sadist in me is wondering if the horse hit the rod from the long side where the perspective head on is like "---" or impaled along the length like a spear against a charge "I".
Ax'Orl 04-04-05, 11:39 PM	The sadist in me is wondering if the horse hit the rod from the long side where the perspective head on is like "---" or impaled along the length like a spear against a charge "I". I was thinking along the same lines. If they met it on the point, at a full charge would it not be like being poked with a stick, weilded by someone of your mounts str? Ouchy, impalations!!!! Side on it would be like hitting a tree branch, the other way would be like trying to slide ONTO a tree branch!
xanadu 04-05-05, 01:50 AM	The sadist in me is wondering if the horse hit the rod from the long side where the perspective head on is like "---" or impaled along the length like a spear against a charge "I". Perpendicular, like an "I" which is one reason why I asked. I'd agree that hitting it if placed like "---" would resemble a glancing blow, and even then normally a DC 30 strength check is what it takes to move one of these which are charging horse cannot meet. Also it doesn't take a physics major to know the consequences of applying the same force to a much smaller surface area.
Rulebook 04-05-05, 01:43 PM	i love immovable rods. in a game about a year ago, our DM just flat out gave one of the guys 4 immovable rods (christmas or bday gift i think). funnily enough he died very shortly thereafter to a random encounter that rolled incredibly well. needless to say i wound up with them. i used em to hang my tent and hammock. thats it realy. (oh i think i used them as a ladder once too)
Quercus Velutinae 04-05-05, 03:08 PM	One of my players is fascinated with his immovable rod. Needless to say one of my NPC horseman ran into one of these things on a full out charge. What happens? I believe this is the case of the irresistable horse meets the immovable rodject! :ayyyy!:
Teltharis 04-05-05, 07:05 PM	I've tried this before with a wall of force, I know its not the same but I figured that something bad would happen if a full charging horse + plus knight in full plate hit an invisibile wall at top speed would do something bad, my dm being the spiteful thing that he was towards this particular character just let the guy make a ride check and nothing bad happened. That was just about the longest argument I've ever had with a DM. Its not like I even wanted the guy to take damage or anything, just trying to get him off his horse so that the rogue and fighter could pounce on him.
Auranis 04-05-05, 08:38 PM	id have to say never real damage, maybe at most 1 point, but more non lethal damage, running into something chest high has GOT to knock the wind out of you, head highg, maybe knock you out, trip damage... well... just follow the book
Khaibit_Ema_Neteru 04-05-05, 08:48 PM	I'd say he gets a ride check to twist in the saddle and get around the rod without stopping his charge, first and foremost. If he fails, take 1d6 damage, and make a ride check to stay in the saddle. If he succeeds this, his feet stay in the stirrups, and he just flattens against the horse's rump, kindof a forced "limbo" under the rod. If the mount is combat trained, the charge continues, if not then make another ride check to control the animal and keep it charging despite the interruption of commands (but who rides a normal horse into combat?) If the ride check to remain in the saddle fails, the rider falls off, takes another d6 damage, and must make a reflex save to avoid being trampled. If this save is failed, take the horse's hoof damage as well. Set DCs for the checks and saves yourself. I can't do all your work. Short story, the IR forces a LOT of ride checks, because dealing with that sort of stuff in the saddle is mad complicated
primemover003 04-05-05, 10:17 PM	When all else fails, KISS... You hit an IR while mounted 1d6, then make a Ride check to stay mounted or fall and take 1d6. Mount and rider hit a wall of force... 1d6 to each, Ride check to boot. 1d6, a DM's next best friend to DC 15 and +2 modifiers:)
Tolby 04-05-05, 10:44 PM	1d6 is good
Kinghappo 04-06-05, 05:31 AM	hmmmm, immovable rod ideas... tower shield with immovable rods attached... and a very good taunter behind the shield... ::drools::
sobusTooms 04-06-05, 11:06 PM	I had a character who wanted to use an immovable rod to stop a fall off a cliff. His plan was to brace it against his chest on the way down and activate it while he was above it. It was his only chance at suvival. I forget how it turned out, but all this discussion jared my memory of this very funny event. I remember us rolling at the gaming table. :rofl:
Barky, Master Tree Hugger 04-07-05, 08:12 PM	Hmmmm, sneaky. I love this plan. I never realised how much fun they could be.... Hmmm.... :D :D I should do this sometime... The look of horror on the Dms face will be worth it :D
primemover003 04-07-05, 08:22 PM	I had a character who wanted to use an immovable rod to stop a fall off a cliff. His plan was to brace it against his chest on the way down and activate it while he was above it. It was his only chance at suvival. I forget how it turned out, but all this discussion jared my memory of this very funny event. I remember us rolling at the gaming table. :rofl: That'd be one HELLUVA climb check to make to hold on...
Shocker250 04-07-05, 08:36 PM	I have a wicket idea for immovable rods. I dont know how well this will work out, but i figure, hey... coud be good. So heres a situation for ya.... ur character that owns 1 or two or however many immovable rod finds himself in the belly of some monster. While in there, he sets up the immovable rod, INSIDE the monsters' belly, he then cuts himself out. And shoots the beast from afar while hes got one bad case of indegestion. Do you think a monster like lets say, a T-Rex would be able to move if u put a immovable rod in its stomach. I know it could easily MAKE the strength check... but just imagine how badly thats gonna mess up his insides. What do u guys think about doing that?
primemover003 04-07-05, 09:17 PM	Actually the T-rex only has a 28 strength... meaning it can only make a DC 29 check...
Loren Pechtel 04-08-05, 12:51 AM	I have a wicket idea for immovable rods. I dont know how well this will work out, but i figure, hey... coud be good. So heres a situation for ya.... ur character that owns 1 or two or however many immovable rod finds himself in the belly of some monster. While in there, he sets up the immovable rod, INSIDE the monsters' belly, he then cuts himself out. And shoots the beast from afar while hes got one bad case of indegestion. Do you think a monster like lets say, a T-Rex would be able to move if u put a immovable rod in its stomach. I know it could easily MAKE the strength check... but just imagine how badly thats gonna mess up his insides. What do u guys think about doing that? I've got a *REALLY* nasty variant on this. You need an immoveable rod and a special casing for it. The casing hold the rod and a trigger. The trigger is a compressed spring that's trying to push a plunger against the trigger of the rod. However the other end of the plunger is held by a wire. There's also a capsule of acid next to the wire. You carefully pick the wire and acid so it's going to take 3-4 rounds to eat through the wire to the point it snaps. Now, you're facing some big nasty monster that likes to swallow things. Try to keep the range open, summon something. Tie the assembly to the back of whatever you summoned and snap the acid capsule. (Note: The acid is inside, it does not burn the creature in contact with the assembly.) Direct the summoned creature to attack the mouth of the monster and not to attempt to resist any attempt to bite/swallow it. Thus it's going to be swallowed on a 2. Got a really strong monster that's the problem? Take 2 rods together. That adds +5 to the DC. (Figure how carrying capacity goes up with strength to see how I'm getting this.)