"I Drop a Box on His Head"

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Barky

Jun 26, 2015 18:03:07

Writing an encounter for my players. Happens in a warehouse full of boxes and such. There's a loft space above with more boxes. Amongst the true threats to the party, there's a plot-relevant cowardly NPC up there. If he sees an opportunity, he's going to drop a box on a PC's head.

 

How do I do this attack?

 

I'm guessing a regular, but non-proficient, attack.

I'm thinking 1d8 base damage. Assume a 15' drop, but the crate is empty. Too low?

Is there a possibility of knocking a player unconscious? It would be a blow to the head, but it seems the only mechanic for unconsciousness is as an option when reducing an opponent to 0 hp.

 

Thoughts?

#2

Macv12

Jun 26, 2015 20:41:32

I would steer clear of unconsciousness, since that probably means that scene is over for that character. You could change where you go from there but it probably boils down to that character being out-of-play and/or behind the action to some extent, and I'm not sure that would be any fun.

 

You might treat it as a trap. Have the target roll a DEX save to dodge, taking damage and falling prone on fail. 2d6 damage or so is probably fine.

#3

FrogReaver

Jun 26, 2015 21:07:45

Stun might be appropriate instead of unconscious.

#4

OoftaMeg

Jun 26, 2015 21:15:44

I would probably stay away from uncoscious but the boxes could knock the targets prone if they fail a dex save.  I'd also go with the improvised damage chart page 249 of the DMG.  So I'd say 1d10 damage. 

 

How many boxes can be pushed over at once?  Could a character be temporarily pinned under boxes?

 

Does the NPC have time to jury-rig some traps?

 

#5

Barky

Jun 27, 2015 4:17:31

Thanks folks, good points!

#6

iserith

Jun 27, 2015 6:34:04

It might be fun to have the NPC topple a stack of crates which rain down on the PCs. This might best be resolved with an area of effect attack that calls for a Dexterity saving throw. Failure results in taking damage and being knocked prone.

 

It'd be even more fun if the crates are filled with snakes.

(Reply to #6)

OoftaMeg

iserith wrote:
#8

Slagger_the_Chuul

Jun 27, 2015 6:59:33

OoftaMeg wrote:
#9

mrpopstar

Jun 27, 2015 7:37:45

Barky wrote:
#10

Macv12

Jun 27, 2015 10:37:57

"Oh no! My shipment of tarantula swarms! I'm ruined!"