Combining nonlethal damage with a charge [Archive] - Wizards Community

Combining nonlethal damage with a charge [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
weepingminotaur
12-11-07, 03:25 PM Put simply, can you do it? This came up at our last session and we couldn't find anything in the RAW that said you couldn't do nonlethal damage when using the charge action.

To me, it makes sense. You want to tackle the bad guy getting away without killing him because you need information. So you charge him and whack him on the head with the flat of your sword.
Nephlite
12-11-07, 04:03 PM Put simply, can you do it? This came up at our last session and we couldn't find anything in the RAW that said you couldn't do nonlethal damage when using the charge action.

To me, it makes sense. You want to tackle the bad guy getting away without killing him because you need information. So you charge him and whack him on the head with the flat of your sword.

Exactly, no rules against it.
Softfoot
12-11-07, 04:27 PM Put simply, can you do it? This came up at our last session and we couldn't find anything in the RAW that said you couldn't do nonlethal damage when using the charge action.

To me, it makes sense. You want to tackle the bad guy getting away without killing him because you need information. So you charge him and whack him on the head with the flat of your sword.

My dwarf fighter/barbarian just did this two sessions ago. You get the +2 charge bonus to attack, but the -4 for checked attack. Not a bad way to brain a wizard, but keep him around for the authorities.
Meles_Meles
12-12-07, 06:05 AM Dittoing the above posters. RAW you can definitely do it. However, always keep in mind the DM's discretion.

If you're mounted on a horse charging with a lance...how exactly do you plan to do subdual damage with that?

But other than that sort of unusual circumstance, I can't imagine anything wrong with it.
weepingminotaur
12-13-07, 11:07 AM Dittoing the above posters. RAW you can definitely do it. However, always keep in mind the DM's discretion.

If you're mounted on a horse charging with a lance...how exactly do you plan to do subdual damage with that?

But other than that sort of unusual circumstance, I can't imagine anything wrong with it.

Yes, I agree, the horse scenario you mentioned is ludicrous. In our last session, though, the greatsword-wielding barbarian wanted to charge an enemy trying to escape and deal nonlethal damage so we could hold him for questioning after combat. Our DM ruled against us, so we couldn't do it (though we managed to get him to surrender). To me, it seems perfectly reasonable to charge someone and whack them on the head with the flat of your sword. Since you're not good at it, you suffer the -4 penalty for dealing nonlethal damage with a weapon, turning your +2 attack-roll bonus for the charge into a -2 penalty.

Are we being unreasonable here?
Curuinor
12-16-07, 01:44 AM What prevents a lance charger from, y'know, holding the pointy bit and charging with the handle?
CryoSilver
12-16-07, 01:46 AM Probably that the pointy bit is too big for him to wrap his hand around.
Prator_The_Golden
12-16-07, 12:16 PM There's actually a magic item for this. It's called the Tourney Lance, and it's in the Arms and Equipment Guide. It's a +2 Heavy Lance that does subdual damage only when activated. Want the stats?

That said, I don't think the basic idea of doing nonlethal damage on a charge is so farfetched. It might give you a penalty and/or an attack of opportunity, but I think it could work.
Meles_Meles
12-16-07, 12:49 PM There's actually a magic item for this. It's called the Tourney Lance, and it's in the Arms and Equipment Guide. It's a +2 Heavy Lance that does subdual damage only when activated. Want the stats?

Straight out of the SRD:

Merciful (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/magicItemsAW.html)

Merciful: The weapon deals an extra 1d6 points of damage, and all damage it deals is nonlethal damage. On command, the weapon suppresses this ability until commanded to resume it. Bows, crossbows, and slings so crafted bestow the merciful effect upon their ammunition.

Faint conjuration; CL 5th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, cure light wounds; Price +1 bonus.

Although that wasn't the OP's question.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
weepingminotaur 12-11-07, 03:25 PM	Put simply, can you do it? This came up at our last session and we couldn't find anything in the RAW that said you couldn't do nonlethal damage when using the charge action. To me, it makes sense. You want to tackle the bad guy getting away without killing him because you need information. So you charge him and whack him on the head with the flat of your sword.
Nephlite 12-11-07, 04:03 PM	Put simply, can you do it? This came up at our last session and we couldn't find anything in the RAW that said you couldn't do nonlethal damage when using the charge action. To me, it makes sense. You want to tackle the bad guy getting away without killing him because you need information. So you charge him and whack him on the head with the flat of your sword. Exactly, no rules against it.
Softfoot 12-11-07, 04:27 PM	Put simply, can you do it? This came up at our last session and we couldn't find anything in the RAW that said you couldn't do nonlethal damage when using the charge action. To me, it makes sense. You want to tackle the bad guy getting away without killing him because you need information. So you charge him and whack him on the head with the flat of your sword. My dwarf fighter/barbarian just did this two sessions ago. You get the +2 charge bonus to attack, but the -4 for checked attack. Not a bad way to brain a wizard, but keep him around for the authorities.
Meles_Meles 12-12-07, 06:05 AM	Dittoing the above posters. RAW you can definitely do it. However, always keep in mind the DM's discretion. If you're mounted on a horse charging with a lance...how exactly do you plan to do subdual damage with that? But other than that sort of unusual circumstance, I can't imagine anything wrong with it.
weepingminotaur 12-13-07, 11:07 AM	Dittoing the above posters. RAW you can definitely do it. However, always keep in mind the DM's discretion. If you're mounted on a horse charging with a lance...how exactly do you plan to do subdual damage with that? But other than that sort of unusual circumstance, I can't imagine anything wrong with it. Yes, I agree, the horse scenario you mentioned is ludicrous. In our last session, though, the greatsword-wielding barbarian wanted to charge an enemy trying to escape and deal nonlethal damage so we could hold him for questioning after combat. Our DM ruled against us, so we couldn't do it (though we managed to get him to surrender). To me, it seems perfectly reasonable to charge someone and whack them on the head with the flat of your sword. Since you're not good at it, you suffer the -4 penalty for dealing nonlethal damage with a weapon, turning your +2 attack-roll bonus for the charge into a -2 penalty. Are we being unreasonable here?
Curuinor 12-16-07, 01:44 AM	What prevents a lance charger from, y'know, holding the pointy bit and charging with the handle?
CryoSilver 12-16-07, 01:46 AM	Probably that the pointy bit is too big for him to wrap his hand around.
Prator_The_Golden 12-16-07, 12:16 PM	There's actually a magic item for this. It's called the Tourney Lance, and it's in the Arms and Equipment Guide. It's a +2 Heavy Lance that does subdual damage only when activated. Want the stats? That said, I don't think the basic idea of doing nonlethal damage on a charge is so farfetched. It might give you a penalty and/or an attack of opportunity, but I think it could work.
Meles_Meles 12-16-07, 12:49 PM	There's actually a magic item for this. It's called the Tourney Lance, and it's in the Arms and Equipment Guide. It's a +2 Heavy Lance that does subdual damage only when activated. Want the stats? Straight out of the SRD: Merciful (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/magicItemsAW.html) Merciful: The weapon deals an extra 1d6 points of damage, and all damage it deals is nonlethal damage. On command, the weapon suppresses this ability until commanded to resume it. Bows, crossbows, and slings so crafted bestow the merciful effect upon their ammunition. Faint conjuration; CL 5th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, cure light wounds; Price +1 bonus. Although that wasn't the OP's question.