Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Federal Sep 11, 2014 16:33:27	I like to describe monster and character attacks to my players, but I am stumped on "slam". Is the doppelganger disguised as a Halfling lad pummeling his foes? My best guess is his little arms and hands elongate into terrifying claws and batters them, trying to gouge deep rents into them in a blur of motion...but it is bludgeoning damage according to the stat block. Does anyone have a better idea for the flavor?
#2 iserith Sep 11, 2014 17:30:17	It's a punch, kick, headbutt or whatever. But hit points aren't meat and loss of hit points don't necessarily mean wounds, so I wouldn't worry too much about the halfling bit. Dodging a blow completely costs you hit points.
#3 Kishri Sep 11, 2014 18:18:47	Originally a Slam was a "whole body" attack done by a creature.  Think of a rhino slamming into your PC and you'll get the idea. Slams were normally done by large creatures. However, the term "slam" has come to mean when any creature, regardless of size, uses it whole body attack for extra damaging effect.   From the Pathfinder Beastiary: SLAM ATTACK is a type of NATURAL ATTACK (to dash, strike, knock, thrust, throw, slap down, etc., with violent and noisy impact).   A slam attack is a primary bludgeoning attack.  The beastiary then goes on to list slam damages by size, started at diminuative creatures on up.  So even a fairy may slam, though the damage would be small.   I agree with Iserith, that while slam implies a lot of physical ouch, it doesn't have to be as dodging such would be tiring.
#4 ankiyavon Sep 11, 2014 19:37:45	So Long Art & Music.
#5 Federal Sep 13, 2014 7:22:13	Thanks for the responses, that should give me enough to go on.