dead bodies [Archive] - Wizards Community

dead bodies [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
andrewknaut
07-13-07, 11:29 AM So how do other dm's and players treat dead bodies, do you just ignore them once they hit the floor and treat the square they were in normally, or do you treat them as difficult terrain.
I dm and use them as difficult terrain, however a player of mine said that he looked in the rules and saw nothing on the subject, thankfully a stern look made him agree with me.
Whats your thoughts on it.
Thanks
Platstud
07-13-07, 11:36 AM As far as I know it's not covered, at least in the core books. For the sake of simplicity, we always just ignore them. However, I think it would be reasonable to treat those squares as difficult terrain. Your job as a DM is to make these sort of decisions when the rules don't specify one way or another. I think you made an entirely reasonable decision here. Make sure your players know that when you make these sort of calls, they are open for discussion, but not in the middle of a session. The game belongs to all of you, but you're the one who has to keep it moving along smoothly.
RobbyPants
07-13-07, 11:42 AM I'd agree that if you want to rule one way, to let your players know. It could impact decisions that take severl rounds (like walking from point A to point B).

I don't know that I'd worry too much about it at first, but if several pile up in one square, it could become an issue!
Pallin Rahl
07-13-07, 11:47 AM I could honestly see an arguement being made for bodies being considered difficult terrain, now that I think about it.

That being said, no group that I have ever played with has considered anything but "big" bodies as actually hindering your movement, etc.

I mean, you down a giant or dragon, you're not going to just casually move through the space their dead body is taking up...

Generally speaking, though, any group I've ever played with has pretty much ignored Medium (the size category) and smaller bodies on the field - in relation to difficult terrain penalties (unless you end up with a big pile of them - for instance as you're killing a wave of enemies at the narrow opening of a tunnel, etc).

---

Note: I don't believe there is any actual rule in the books regarding this issue.

It's perfectly fine (and logical) if you wish to make bodies difficult terrain in your campaign. However, let it be known up front and make sure to represent it consistantly throughout the campaign (lest you get a bunch of confused and/or frustrated players).
Prime361
07-13-07, 11:53 AM This is something that I have considered myself, however I haven't implemented it yet. In general I will make anything that would actually hinder hallways and such an issue, but in standard combat marking every square(my group uses a battle map) that a body falls in would get tedious quickly. In the group I play/run in we already have enough crap to slow the games(argumentative players) and other things that would detract from the game are avoided at most costs. But I love the idea and am still thinking about implementing it anyways.
duboisjf
07-13-07, 12:03 PM In the game I'm in dm stated that two medium bodies is the same squares is a difficult terrain. Only one changes nothing. Large bodies is difficult terrain. Huge bodies and larger, You can't cross without climbing.

It's a usefull (and realistic) rule when you are nearly dead and chased by a raging horde of gnolls in narrow passegeways.

For us it's easy to let the corpse there because we use small wooden blocks for foes. Standing block = Living creature. Non-standing = dead
tarkin
07-13-07, 02:02 PM Always remember that Hitpoitns of 0 is not dead. In fact you can freely complain about it.

HEY I AM NOT DEAD YET. A little bandaging would be APPRECIATED. Hey, don't step on me. Don't take my buddies weapons.

Then there is the classic Monty Pythonesque

"Come Back here and I will bite you to death."
zelf_gale
07-13-07, 04:19 PM House ruled to 1 Huge, 2 Large, or 4 medium, etc. bodies make a square count as difficult terrain.
SokenzanMarauder
07-13-07, 04:26 PM As with previous posters, I treat a corpse as rough terrain. I have however played with DMs that ignore corpses altogether and other DMs that force you to make various checks to move through corpse laden ground (mostly balance checks, though for huge+ creatures climb checks were required).

-Gene
Arniha
07-13-07, 11:53 PM I play a psychotic inquisitor, I pulp everything I kill so it can't be raised, as such a thing is obviously unholy. Plus, no more arguments about difficult terrain.
Kouk
07-14-07, 01:48 AM From Moving Through a Square, PHB pg 148

Moving through a Square
Friend
You can move through a square occupied by a friendly character, unless you are charging. When you move through a square occupied by a friendly character, that character doesn’t provide you with cover.

Opponent
You can’t move through a square occupied by an opponent, unless the opponent is helpless. You can move through a square occupied by a helpless opponent without penalty. (Some creatures, particularly very large ones, may present an obstacle even when helpless. In such cases, each square you move through counts as 2 squares.)

Ending Your Movement
You can’t end your movement in the same square as another creature unless it is helpless.

Helpless is not technically "dead", but I imagine it is close enough to draw a parallel.

Something to note though, is that a Paralyzed creature in a square takes 2 squares of movement to pass by according to the Glossary, which contradicts that you don't take penalties for moving through squares occupied by helpless opponents. Paralyzed

A paralyzed character is frozen in place and unable to move or act. A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely mental actions. A winged creature flying in the air at the time that it becomes paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls. A paralyzed swimmer can’t swim and may drown. A creature can move through a space occupied by a paralyzed creature—ally or not. Each square occupied by a paralyzed creature, however, counts as 2 squares.

I go with the main text of there being no penalty for a single medium or smaller body, and just take the Glossary entry as incorrect (in regards to medium or smaller creatures at least). Once the bodies start piling up though, it can get tougher to move.

I treat Large or bigger normal creatures as difficult, with slime bodies instead making the floor slippery if they are large or smaller, but difficult at huge and up.
ScipioX
07-14-07, 04:36 AM The paralyzed rule is probably in reference to a creature that is still upright. You actually have to move around them, instead of simply stepping over them.

Thus I'd say that a paralyzed creature that is prone would not interfere with movement.
Kouk
07-14-07, 11:21 AM I can sort of see that, but for me at least, it is easier to go around a person standing up than one sprawled across the ground.

I think ignoring most fallen bodies is just so there is less we have to keep track of during a fight, but by logic I can certainly agree it might count as difficult terrain.
Peregrine_Wolf
07-14-07, 11:39 AM Yeah, I think that it only becomes a hassle if your playing in a large open area, but if your in a small hallway where the bodies could actually block the passage.......man, kobolds come in such numbers......then it could be taken into consideration. Otherwise it's jsut a way to annoy everyone involved with the game(including yourself, unless you fly or something)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
andrewknaut 07-13-07, 11:29 AM	So how do other dm's and players treat dead bodies, do you just ignore them once they hit the floor and treat the square they were in normally, or do you treat them as difficult terrain. I dm and use them as difficult terrain, however a player of mine said that he looked in the rules and saw nothing on the subject, thankfully a stern look made him agree with me. Whats your thoughts on it. Thanks
Platstud 07-13-07, 11:36 AM	As far as I know it's not covered, at least in the core books. For the sake of simplicity, we always just ignore them. However, I think it would be reasonable to treat those squares as difficult terrain. Your job as a DM is to make these sort of decisions when the rules don't specify one way or another. I think you made an entirely reasonable decision here. Make sure your players know that when you make these sort of calls, they are open for discussion, but not in the middle of a session. The game belongs to all of you, but you're the one who has to keep it moving along smoothly.
RobbyPants 07-13-07, 11:42 AM	I'd agree that if you want to rule one way, to let your players know. It could impact decisions that take severl rounds (like walking from point A to point B). I don't know that I'd worry too much about it at first, but if several pile up in one square, it could become an issue!
Pallin Rahl 07-13-07, 11:47 AM	I could honestly see an arguement being made for bodies being considered difficult terrain, now that I think about it. That being said, no group that I have ever played with has considered anything but "big" bodies as actually hindering your movement, etc. I mean, you down a giant or dragon, you're not going to just casually move through the space their dead body is taking up... Generally speaking, though, any group I've ever played with has pretty much ignored Medium (the size category) and smaller bodies on the field - in relation to difficult terrain penalties (unless you end up with a big pile of them - for instance as you're killing a wave of enemies at the narrow opening of a tunnel, etc). --- Note: I don't believe there is any actual rule in the books regarding this issue. It's perfectly fine (and logical) if you wish to make bodies difficult terrain in your campaign. However, let it be known up front and make sure to represent it consistantly throughout the campaign (lest you get a bunch of confused and/or frustrated players).
Prime361 07-13-07, 11:53 AM	This is something that I have considered myself, however I haven't implemented it yet. In general I will make anything that would actually hinder hallways and such an issue, but in standard combat marking every square(my group uses a battle map) that a body falls in would get tedious quickly. In the group I play/run in we already have enough crap to slow the games(argumentative players) and other things that would detract from the game are avoided at most costs. But I love the idea and am still thinking about implementing it anyways.
duboisjf 07-13-07, 12:03 PM	In the game I'm in dm stated that two medium bodies is the same squares is a difficult terrain. Only one changes nothing. Large bodies is difficult terrain. Huge bodies and larger, You can't cross without climbing. It's a usefull (and realistic) rule when you are nearly dead and chased by a raging horde of gnolls in narrow passegeways. For us it's easy to let the corpse there because we use small wooden blocks for foes. Standing block = Living creature. Non-standing = dead
tarkin 07-13-07, 02:02 PM	Always remember that Hitpoitns of 0 is not dead. In fact you can freely complain about it. HEY I AM NOT DEAD YET. A little bandaging would be APPRECIATED. Hey, don't step on me. Don't take my buddies weapons. Then there is the classic Monty Pythonesque "Come Back here and I will bite you to death."
zelf_gale 07-13-07, 04:19 PM	House ruled to 1 Huge, 2 Large, or 4 medium, etc. bodies make a square count as difficult terrain.
SokenzanMarauder 07-13-07, 04:26 PM	As with previous posters, I treat a corpse as rough terrain. I have however played with DMs that ignore corpses altogether and other DMs that force you to make various checks to move through corpse laden ground (mostly balance checks, though for huge+ creatures climb checks were required). -Gene
Arniha 07-13-07, 11:53 PM	I play a psychotic inquisitor, I pulp everything I kill so it can't be raised, as such a thing is obviously unholy. Plus, no more arguments about difficult terrain.
Kouk 07-14-07, 01:48 AM	From Moving Through a Square, PHB pg 148 Moving through a Square Friend You can move through a square occupied by a friendly character, unless you are charging. When you move through a square occupied by a friendly character, that character doesn’t provide you with cover. Opponent You can’t move through a square occupied by an opponent, unless the opponent is helpless. You can move through a square occupied by a helpless opponent without penalty. (Some creatures, particularly very large ones, may present an obstacle even when helpless. In such cases, each square you move through counts as 2 squares.) Ending Your Movement You can’t end your movement in the same square as another creature unless it is helpless. Helpless is not technically "dead", but I imagine it is close enough to draw a parallel. Something to note though, is that a Paralyzed creature in a square takes 2 squares of movement to pass by according to the Glossary, which contradicts that you don't take penalties for moving through squares occupied by helpless opponents. Paralyzed A paralyzed character is frozen in place and unable to move or act. A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely mental actions. A winged creature flying in the air at the time that it becomes paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls. A paralyzed swimmer can’t swim and may drown. A creature can move through a space occupied by a paralyzed creature—ally or not. Each square occupied by a paralyzed creature, however, counts as 2 squares. I go with the main text of there being no penalty for a single medium or smaller body, and just take the Glossary entry as incorrect (in regards to medium or smaller creatures at least). Once the bodies start piling up though, it can get tougher to move. I treat Large or bigger normal creatures as difficult, with slime bodies instead making the floor slippery if they are large or smaller, but difficult at huge and up.
ScipioX 07-14-07, 04:36 AM	The paralyzed rule is probably in reference to a creature that is still upright. You actually have to move around them, instead of simply stepping over them. Thus I'd say that a paralyzed creature that is prone would not interfere with movement.
Kouk 07-14-07, 11:21 AM	I can sort of see that, but for me at least, it is easier to go around a person standing up than one sprawled across the ground. I think ignoring most fallen bodies is just so there is less we have to keep track of during a fight, but by logic I can certainly agree it might count as difficult terrain.
Peregrine_Wolf 07-14-07, 11:39 AM	Yeah, I think that it only becomes a hassle if your playing in a large open area, but if your in a small hallway where the bodies could actually block the passage.......man, kobolds come in such numbers......then it could be taken into consideration. Otherwise it's jsut a way to annoy everyone involved with the game(including yourself, unless you fly or something)