Bola Damage [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bola Damage [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Decepticons
07-25-06, 01:07 PM I have a character in a party who frequently uses bolas to make ranged trip attacks. No problems there. However, the PHB is vague on when to apply bolas damage. When you make a trip attack with bolas, does this include the 1d4 damage? Do you only apply damage on a non-trip attack using bolas? What is the damage produced by?
Arganis
07-25-06, 01:20 PM It is my understanding that trip attacks do not deal damage. I don't see anything in the SRD to suggest that the bola is an exception to this. So, you can either hurl the bola as a normal attack and strike the target for (subdual) damage, or you can hurl it as a trip attack.

As to what is doing the damage, probably the weighted ends of the bola. They're not that big or heavy, which is why the damage is low and subdual.
Vintar
07-25-06, 02:42 PM In my opionion about the only time you'd throw bolas not as a trip attempt would go something like this.

Player: As we travel along the corridor I keep my bolas at the ready - my sword sheathed at my side.

DM: *rolls spot check for player and passes* You see a nearly transparent cube of ooze engulfing the majority of the corridor.

Player: Great - I chuck the bola at it!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Decepticons 07-25-06, 01:07 PM	I have a character in a party who frequently uses bolas to make ranged trip attacks. No problems there. However, the PHB is vague on when to apply bolas damage. When you make a trip attack with bolas, does this include the 1d4 damage? Do you only apply damage on a non-trip attack using bolas? What is the damage produced by?
Arganis 07-25-06, 01:20 PM	It is my understanding that trip attacks do not deal damage. I don't see anything in the SRD to suggest that the bola is an exception to this. So, you can either hurl the bola as a normal attack and strike the target for (subdual) damage, or you can hurl it as a trip attack. As to what is doing the damage, probably the weighted ends of the bola. They're not that big or heavy, which is why the damage is low and subdual.
Vintar 07-25-06, 02:42 PM	In my opionion about the only time you'd throw bolas not as a trip attempt would go something like this. Player: As we travel along the corridor I keep my bolas at the ready - my sword sheathed at my side. DM: rolls spot check for player and passes You see a nearly transparent cube of ooze engulfing the majority of the corridor. Player: Great - I chuck the bola at it!