disarming, questions for the knowledgeable. [Archive] - Wizards Community

disarming, questions for the knowledgeable. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
e-z0r
12-13-04, 06:49 PM A quick question. How would you answer this: The wielder of a light weapon gets a -4 to disarm an opponent. The rapier is a medium weapon, yet weapon finesse can be applied to it's use (Weapon finesse, otherwise, only works for light weapons).

Does the rapier get a -4 on disarm attempts?

EDIT: Also, does anyone know whether any class other than Duelist receives the Canny Defense ability?
MysterYvil
12-13-04, 07:17 PM I try to stick as closely to the RAW (rules as written) as I can, it makes things easier on my players (who have a dislike of house rules/interpretations/variations).

In my case, I'd stick to the minimalist interpretation that no, a rapier does not suffer the penalty, because it's a 1-handed weapon.

(This also avoids have to make a ruling/exception for the spiked chain.)

From a <shudder> real-world point of view, a disarm can be done just as effectively by threatening to pink your opponent's wrist-tendons as it can be by simply bashing his weapon free from his hands.
e-z0r
12-13-04, 10:36 PM I'm prone to going that way as well, since really there is two things to consider:
1) A light weapon gets a -4 penalty. 2) A rapier is a 1-handed weapon (not light)

So that would settle it. But then.. Humh.
Thorak
12-13-04, 11:57 PM As already stated, a rapier is not a light weapon, so there's no reason for it to suffer the penalty. It's not even treated as a light weapon for Weapon Finesse. It's just one of a few non-light weapons that are affected.
Encard
12-14-04, 01:38 AM As has already been said, a rapier suffers no penalty to disarm attempts.

As for Canny Defense, hmm... I can't think of anything published by WotC that has that exact ability, but the Bladesinger has something that's nearly the same.
ksbsnowowl
12-15-04, 02:40 AM Also, does anyone know whether any class other than Duelist receives the Canny Defense ability?The Iaijatsu Master PrC from Oriental Adventures grants it at first level.
e-z0r
12-15-04, 09:05 AM Just thinking that that coupled with swashbuckler will make INT a nice ability.

Swashbuckler 3/Iaijutsu master 1/Wizard XX.. Hmm. That's INT to damage, armor class and spells per day.

EDIT: but that isn't going to work, since Iaijutsu Master requires 7 ranks of Iaijutsu focus, and his canny defense only works with his katana.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
e-z0r 12-13-04, 06:49 PM	A quick question. How would you answer this: The wielder of a light weapon gets a -4 to disarm an opponent. The rapier is a medium weapon, yet weapon finesse can be applied to it's use (Weapon finesse, otherwise, only works for light weapons). Does the rapier get a -4 on disarm attempts? EDIT: Also, does anyone know whether any class other than Duelist receives the Canny Defense ability?
MysterYvil 12-13-04, 07:17 PM	I try to stick as closely to the RAW (rules as written) as I can, it makes things easier on my players (who have a dislike of house rules/interpretations/variations). In my case, I'd stick to the minimalist interpretation that no, a rapier does not suffer the penalty, because it's a 1-handed weapon. (This also avoids have to make a ruling/exception for the spiked chain.) From a <shudder> real-world point of view, a disarm can be done just as effectively by threatening to pink your opponent's wrist-tendons as it can be by simply bashing his weapon free from his hands.
e-z0r 12-13-04, 10:36 PM	I'm prone to going that way as well, since really there is two things to consider: 1) A light weapon gets a -4 penalty. 2) A rapier is a 1-handed weapon (not light) So that would settle it. But then.. Humh.
Thorak 12-13-04, 11:57 PM	As already stated, a rapier is not a light weapon, so there's no reason for it to suffer the penalty. It's not even treated as a light weapon for Weapon Finesse. It's just one of a few non-light weapons that are affected.
Encard 12-14-04, 01:38 AM	As has already been said, a rapier suffers no penalty to disarm attempts. As for Canny Defense, hmm... I can't think of anything published by WotC that has that exact ability, but the Bladesinger has something that's nearly the same.
ksbsnowowl 12-15-04, 02:40 AM	Also, does anyone know whether any class other than Duelist receives the Canny Defense ability?The Iaijatsu Master PrC from Oriental Adventures grants it at first level.
e-z0r 12-15-04, 09:05 AM	Just thinking that that coupled with swashbuckler will make INT a nice ability. Swashbuckler 3/Iaijutsu master 1/Wizard XX.. Hmm. That's INT to damage, armor class and spells per day. EDIT: but that isn't going to work, since Iaijutsu Master requires 7 ranks of Iaijutsu focus, and his canny defense only works with his katana.