Bonuses against creature types [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bonuses against creature types [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Thief_of_Hope
05-26-07, 12:19 PM If a race has bonuses concerning certain creature types, do they get the bonuses if they are not aware that the creature is that type?

Here's an example: Dwarves get attack and damage bonuses against Orc and Goblinoid creatures. If the dwarf gets into combat with, say, a wild-shaped goblin druid, or gets into a bar fight with an orc wearing a hat of disguise, will the dwarf get the bonuses even though he isn't aware that his opponent fits the bill of a racial enemy?

Same goes for his AC bonus against Giants. If an Ogre Mage attacks the dwarf while using his Change Shape ability to look like a gnome, or a Hill Giant has had Improved Invisibility used on him before he went off to attack the dwarf and his party, would the dwarf get his AC bonus?
Thomar_of_Uointer
05-26-07, 12:45 PM Yes. Why wouldn't they? It's like saying you can't score a critical hit while binded because you don't know where the vital organs are (nevermind sneak attack, that's special). I would assume that a character with bonuses against creature types simply always fights that way.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0219.html
Neutronium_Dragon
05-26-07, 12:52 PM Also consider that taking the approach of requiring that you know what you're dealing with before you can apply your bonuses against it would mean that (for example) a Spot bonus wouldn't actually apply when making the check against the creature's Disguise, because you can't actually apply the bonus until you've seen through the disguise.

On the other hand, it also means that you wouldn't get to apply your bonuses against something you mistakenly identify as something you have a bonus against. If (for example) a human is disguised as an orc, you don't get your bonuses against orcs if you're dealing with him.
Thief_of_Hope
05-27-07, 07:58 PM All right, I was just confused because I wasn't sure if the bonuses were due to ways the races were taught to fight all the time, or if they were ways they were taught to fight when it was against creatures of that type.

Thanks!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thief_of_Hope 05-26-07, 12:19 PM	If a race has bonuses concerning certain creature types, do they get the bonuses if they are not aware that the creature is that type? Here's an example: Dwarves get attack and damage bonuses against Orc and Goblinoid creatures. If the dwarf gets into combat with, say, a wild-shaped goblin druid, or gets into a bar fight with an orc wearing a hat of disguise, will the dwarf get the bonuses even though he isn't aware that his opponent fits the bill of a racial enemy? Same goes for his AC bonus against Giants. If an Ogre Mage attacks the dwarf while using his Change Shape ability to look like a gnome, or a Hill Giant has had Improved Invisibility used on him before he went off to attack the dwarf and his party, would the dwarf get his AC bonus?
Thomar_of_Uointer 05-26-07, 12:45 PM	Yes. Why wouldn't they? It's like saying you can't score a critical hit while binded because you don't know where the vital organs are (nevermind sneak attack, that's special). I would assume that a character with bonuses against creature types simply always fights that way. http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0219.html
Neutronium_Dragon 05-26-07, 12:52 PM	Also consider that taking the approach of requiring that you know what you're dealing with before you can apply your bonuses against it would mean that (for example) a Spot bonus wouldn't actually apply when making the check against the creature's Disguise, because you can't actually apply the bonus until you've seen through the disguise. On the other hand, it also means that you wouldn't get to apply your bonuses against something you mistakenly identify as something you have a bonus against. If (for example) a human is disguised as an orc, you don't get your bonuses against orcs if you're dealing with him.
Thief_of_Hope 05-27-07, 07:58 PM	All right, I was just confused because I wasn't sure if the bonuses were due to ways the races were taught to fight all the time, or if they were ways they were taught to fight when it was against creatures of that type. Thanks!