use rope querry [Archive] - Wizards Community

use rope querry [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ishpumalibu
12-29-07, 10:08 PM a player in my campaign wants to use the skill use rope to capture marks, he's going to be an assassin for hire, taking more bring them back alive... almost bloodhound prc style. Anyways he wants to know if use rope is really worthwhile since the burst dc for a str check on rope isn't very high, and how much rope it takes to bind a character. I'm at a loss, any help is appreciated.
littlekid
12-29-07, 10:30 PM Use manacles on their hands and feet, MW for more effectiveness, or keep them knocked out with subdual damage. I'm sure there's more stuff in the MIC for this type of thing.
Novacat
12-30-07, 01:32 AM since the burst dc for a str check on rope isn't very high
The DC is 23, which is not insignificant for an Ability check. This means that if you have a Strength of 15 or lower, you can't possibly do it, and that's just ONE rope. Use multiple ropes and ask the DM for a modifier to the burst DC. A +2 for one each rope used is probably not unreasonable.

That aside, if he plans to capture, he should definitely invest ranks into this skill. The burst DC helps against strong creatures, but the Use Rope skill helps against dextrous creatures.
Kouk
12-30-07, 02:51 AM Well, right off the bat a Silk Rope increases the Burst DC by 1 point and gives a +2 circumstance bonus on Use Rope checks.

As mentioned, Manacles work fairly well.

There is Elven Rope in the Arms and Equipment Guide (possibly other books too) which has a Burst DC of 25.

Rope of Stone (MIC) gives a +5 on Escape Artist DC, but doesn't change Burst DC.

Shackles of Silence (MIC) has a DC 28 STR check to break free, and alerts you if someone escapes.

At the higher end of the spectrum there is the Iron Bands of Binding (Iron bands of Bilarro), which have a DC 30 Burst check: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#ironBandsofBinding

Dimensional Shackles are DC 30 as well: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#dimensionalShackles

I seem to recall some kind of semi-official rule that allowed one to bind someone better with ropes, adding +1 or +2 for additional rope loops but I can't find it again. It makes sense, but who wouldn't then just tie 8 or 9 loops around a character every time, making it nearly impossible to escape?
ishpumalibu
12-30-07, 03:06 AM thanks guys, all that info is very useful, I guess the only question I still have is how much rope does it take to tie an opponent up? I'm sure it would be based off of size...
Novacat
12-30-07, 04:24 AM thanks guys, all that info is very useful, I guess the only question I still have is how much rope does it take to tie an opponent up? I'm sure it would be based off of size...
A standard 50' rope is plenty to tie up a medium-sized creature, and is probably the amount assumed for the burst DC listed in the book. I would say the amount needed for each size category difference from medium is 1/4 (smaller) or x4 (larger).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ishpumalibu 12-29-07, 10:08 PM	a player in my campaign wants to use the skill use rope to capture marks, he's going to be an assassin for hire, taking more bring them back alive... almost bloodhound prc style. Anyways he wants to know if use rope is really worthwhile since the burst dc for a str check on rope isn't very high, and how much rope it takes to bind a character. I'm at a loss, any help is appreciated.
littlekid 12-29-07, 10:30 PM	Use manacles on their hands and feet, MW for more effectiveness, or keep them knocked out with subdual damage. I'm sure there's more stuff in the MIC for this type of thing.
Novacat 12-30-07, 01:32 AM	since the burst dc for a str check on rope isn't very high The DC is 23, which is not insignificant for an Ability check. This means that if you have a Strength of 15 or lower, you can't possibly do it, and that's just ONE rope. Use multiple ropes and ask the DM for a modifier to the burst DC. A +2 for one each rope used is probably not unreasonable. That aside, if he plans to capture, he should definitely invest ranks into this skill. The burst DC helps against strong creatures, but the Use Rope skill helps against dextrous creatures.
Kouk 12-30-07, 02:51 AM	Well, right off the bat a Silk Rope increases the Burst DC by 1 point and gives a +2 circumstance bonus on Use Rope checks. As mentioned, Manacles work fairly well. There is Elven Rope in the Arms and Equipment Guide (possibly other books too) which has a Burst DC of 25. Rope of Stone (MIC) gives a +5 on Escape Artist DC, but doesn't change Burst DC. Shackles of Silence (MIC) has a DC 28 STR check to break free, and alerts you if someone escapes. At the higher end of the spectrum there is the Iron Bands of Binding (Iron bands of Bilarro), which have a DC 30 Burst check: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#ironBandsofBinding Dimensional Shackles are DC 30 as well: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#dimensionalShackles I seem to recall some kind of semi-official rule that allowed one to bind someone better with ropes, adding +1 or +2 for additional rope loops but I can't find it again. It makes sense, but who wouldn't then just tie 8 or 9 loops around a character every time, making it nearly impossible to escape?
ishpumalibu 12-30-07, 03:06 AM	thanks guys, all that info is very useful, I guess the only question I still have is how much rope does it take to tie an opponent up? I'm sure it would be based off of size...
Novacat 12-30-07, 04:24 AM	thanks guys, all that info is very useful, I guess the only question I still have is how much rope does it take to tie an opponent up? I'm sure it would be based off of size... A standard 50' rope is plenty to tie up a medium-sized creature, and is probably the amount assumed for the burst DC listed in the book. I would say the amount needed for each size category difference from medium is 1/4 (smaller) or x4 (larger).