combat mechanics to describe this action [Archive] - Wizards Community

combat mechanics to describe this action [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Old_Man_Winter2
02-25-07, 09:08 PM I have a pc with a natural claw attack who wants to grab someone else at the neck / clothes and lift them up at arms length (like in the movies :p).

Not sure how to roll this. pc has improved grab; I assume I should start with a hit roll followed by a grapple action. PHB says that I deal unarmed stike damage at this point: can I forgo this or attempt to deal non-lethal damage?

Then what, should I take a specific action to lift them up? (I am strong enough to do it).
InkBlot
02-25-07, 11:18 PM Since you're strong enough to lift the other character, you can just lift them up as part of doing some other grapple-related action. If you grab-and-lift, then it's part of establishing a hold. If you lift and tighten your grip until he screams, then it's part of making a grapple check to deal damage. If you hold pin his arms against his sides and hold him in the air then it's part of establishin a pin. There's no mechanical consequences, so it's just a cool way to describe grappling.

If you want to throw the other character, then you need to first pin him and then make a Str check in place of an attack. Your check result determines how far he goes. See Rules Of The Game: All About Grappling for more information.

There aren't any rules concerning foregoing damaging your opponent after performing some damaging action. If were DMing, I'd let you deal no damage.
Old_Man_Winter2
02-26-07, 03:16 AM cool, thanks for going over that :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Old_Man_Winter2 02-25-07, 09:08 PM	I have a pc with a natural claw attack who wants to grab someone else at the neck / clothes and lift them up at arms length (like in the movies :p). Not sure how to roll this. pc has improved grab; I assume I should start with a hit roll followed by a grapple action. PHB says that I deal unarmed stike damage at this point: can I forgo this or attempt to deal non-lethal damage? Then what, should I take a specific action to lift them up? (I am strong enough to do it).
InkBlot 02-25-07, 11:18 PM	Since you're strong enough to lift the other character, you can just lift them up as part of doing some other grapple-related action. If you grab-and-lift, then it's part of establishing a hold. If you lift and tighten your grip until he screams, then it's part of making a grapple check to deal damage. If you hold pin his arms against his sides and hold him in the air then it's part of establishin a pin. There's no mechanical consequences, so it's just a cool way to describe grappling. If you want to throw the other character, then you need to first pin him and then make a Str check in place of an attack. Your check result determines how far he goes. See Rules Of The Game: All About Grappling for more information. There aren't any rules concerning foregoing damaging your opponent after performing some damaging action. If were DMing, I'd let you deal no damage.
Old_Man_Winter2 02-26-07, 03:16 AM	cool, thanks for going over that :)