Jumping/Climbing Onto Something Huge... - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Jumping/Climbing Onto Something Huge...

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
thecrawlingspleen
May 24, 2009 16:41:03 We all know what happens when you try to initiate a grapple with something two or more size categories larger than you (automatic failure), but that brought a question up: what if you're above something really big, and you want to jump onto it, climb up to its head and shoot it, or something like that (Legolas on the Cave Troll in Fellowship of the Ring, Rico on a Tanker Bug in Starship Troopers, Hellboy on a golden soldier in Hellboy II, etc.)?

Does anyone know how to handle something like this?

This isn't vitally important, as it hasn't happened yet, but I'm hoping to start a campaign soon, and considering that I have a player who's a little nuts and prone to trying things like this (I know from previous experience), it may occur.
#2
TheRealOrion
May 24, 2009 16:43:06 I think this came up once before, didn't it? Finding a mechanic to not "grapple" something, but just jump on and cling for dear life. I like the way you're thinking of it, though, as an object to be scaled, and not exactly a "creature" at that point. I'd say all the normal rules would apply, with circumstance penalties for the fact that it's moving.
#3
AnimeSniper
May 24, 2009 18:19:18 I feel/figure that if the PC is above/slightly above his target then he should be able to jump/balance check his way onto the target... kinda of like when an actor jumps from one rooftop to a lower one.
If the target is moving increase the DC a little.
#4
backstabbist
May 24, 2009 21:42:26 Orion,
yeah... I think that was for planting a demo charge on a giant robot or something
all in all, it was kinda similar in concept.

I'll see if I can find that old stuff....

ok, found it... and it aint as helpful as I remembered
Demolitions on a Piloted Mech archive thread
#5
DwarfFighter
May 25, 2009 2:36:39 How about this:

A character can grab and climb onto exceptionally large creatures. The subject must be a corporeal creature at least two size categories larger than the character.

1) The character must make a successfult melee touch attack as an attack action to grab onto the subject. This action provokes an attack of opportunity. A concentration check may be required to complete the maneuver.
2) A Balance (Dex) or Climb (Str) check (DC 10 + half the target HD + Dex bonus) to get onto the target. Failure means the character fails to get onto the subject and loses his grip but he suffers no damage. If the successful the character is now on top of the subject.

The subject may attempt a single attempt each round to shake off any characters climbing on top of it as a free action: the character makes his check as described in step 2 above with the same consequences. If the subject does not attempt to shake off a character he may attempt to brush him off as a move action: The subject makes a Strength check opposed by the enemy's Balance (Dex) or Climb (Str). If the subject wins then the character is thrown off, potentially taking falling damage. The subject may make normal melee attacks with light weapons against the enemies. These attacks, however, provoke attacks of opportunity from enemies on the ground.

While on top of the subject the character is subject to a -2 circumstance bonus to Str and Dex related checks and attack rolls, except those specifically directed against the subject. These latter benefit from a +2 circumstance bonus. Also, the character does not provoke attacks of opportunity from the subject.

-DF
#6
thecrawlingspleen
May 26, 2009 1:42:31 Thanks for the help, everyone!

One question, though:

2) A Balance (Dex) or Climb (Str) check (DC 10 + half the target HD + Dex bonus) to get onto the target.

Whose Dexterity modifier are we talking about? The creature's?
#7
DwarfFighter
May 26, 2009 6:31:21
Thanks for the help, everyone!

One question, though:

Whose Dexterity modifier are we talking about? The creature's?

The creature's Dex bonus. That makes the most sense, really.

-DF
#8
thecrawlingspleen
May 26, 2009 12:52:14 Thanks again!

By the way, in case anyone's curious, the "past experience" I was referring to with the player was a game of Dungeons & Dragons where our party came across a stampeding herd of dinosaurs (hadrosaurs, specifically). For reasons known only to him, the player (a Thief, as this was 2nd Ed.), pulled out his rope and lassoed a hadrosaur. Apparently, he hadn't really thought this through, considering that he was immediately dragged a great distance by the dinosaur and ended up at 0 hp...

So yeah.
#9
TheRealOrion
May 26, 2009 17:33:01 You'd think the rope would just get yanked out of his hands...
#10
Cyber-Dave
May 26, 2009 17:37:25 ...gloves of unrelenting grip. :P

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 thecrawlingspleen May 24, 2009 16:41:03	We all know what happens when you try to initiate a grapple with something two or more size categories larger than you (automatic failure), but that brought a question up: what if you're above something really big, and you want to jump onto it, climb up to its head and shoot it, or something like that (Legolas on the Cave Troll in Fellowship of the Ring, Rico on a Tanker Bug in Starship Troopers, Hellboy on a golden soldier in Hellboy II, etc.)? Does anyone know how to handle something like this? This isn't vitally important, as it hasn't happened yet, but I'm hoping to start a campaign soon, and considering that I have a player who's a little nuts and prone to trying things like this (I know from previous experience), it may occur.
#2 TheRealOrion May 24, 2009 16:43:06	I think this came up once before, didn't it? Finding a mechanic to not "grapple" something, but just jump on and cling for dear life. I like the way you're thinking of it, though, as an object to be scaled, and not exactly a "creature" at that point. I'd say all the normal rules would apply, with circumstance penalties for the fact that it's moving.
#3 AnimeSniper May 24, 2009 18:19:18	I feel/figure that if the PC is above/slightly above his target then he should be able to jump/balance check his way onto the target... kinda of like when an actor jumps from one rooftop to a lower one. If the target is moving increase the DC a little.
#4 backstabbist May 24, 2009 21:42:26	Orion, yeah... I think that was for planting a demo charge on a giant robot or something all in all, it was kinda similar in concept. I'll see if I can find that old stuff.... ok, found it... and it aint as helpful as I remembered Demolitions on a Piloted Mech archive thread
#5 DwarfFighter May 25, 2009 2:36:39	How about this: A character can grab and climb onto exceptionally large creatures. The subject must be a corporeal creature at least two size categories larger than the character. 1) The character must make a successfult melee touch attack as an attack action to grab onto the subject. This action provokes an attack of opportunity. A concentration check may be required to complete the maneuver. 2) A Balance (Dex) or Climb (Str) check (DC 10 + half the target HD + Dex bonus) to get onto the target. Failure means the character fails to get onto the subject and loses his grip but he suffers no damage. If the successful the character is now on top of the subject. The subject may attempt a single attempt each round to shake off any characters climbing on top of it as a free action: the character makes his check as described in step 2 above with the same consequences. If the subject does not attempt to shake off a character he may attempt to brush him off as a move action: The subject makes a Strength check opposed by the enemy's Balance (Dex) or Climb (Str). If the subject wins then the character is thrown off, potentially taking falling damage. The subject may make normal melee attacks with light weapons against the enemies. These attacks, however, provoke attacks of opportunity from enemies on the ground. While on top of the subject the character is subject to a -2 circumstance bonus to Str and Dex related checks and attack rolls, except those specifically directed against the subject. These latter benefit from a +2 circumstance bonus. Also, the character does not provoke attacks of opportunity from the subject. -DF
#6 thecrawlingspleen May 26, 2009 1:42:31	Thanks for the help, everyone! One question, though: 2) A Balance (Dex) or Climb (Str) check (DC 10 + half the target HD + Dex bonus) to get onto the target. Whose Dexterity modifier are we talking about? The creature's?
#7 DwarfFighter May 26, 2009 6:31:21	Thanks for the help, everyone! One question, though: Whose Dexterity modifier are we talking about? The creature's? The creature's Dex bonus. That makes the most sense, really. -DF
#8 thecrawlingspleen May 26, 2009 12:52:14	Thanks again! By the way, in case anyone's curious, the "past experience" I was referring to with the player was a game of Dungeons & Dragons where our party came across a stampeding herd of dinosaurs (hadrosaurs, specifically). For reasons known only to him, the player (a Thief, as this was 2nd Ed.), pulled out his rope and lassoed a hadrosaur. Apparently, he hadn't really thought this through, considering that he was immediately dragged a great distance by the dinosaur and ended up at 0 hp... So yeah.
#9 TheRealOrion May 26, 2009 17:33:01	You'd think the rope would just get yanked out of his hands...
#10 Cyber-Dave May 26, 2009 17:37:25	...gloves of unrelenting grip. :P