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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:10PM
#1
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I'm a new DM and my ranger frequently wants to target a specific bodypart or item an enemy is holding. Stupid example, the enemy had chainmail on but no helmet and he wants to try and shoot for the face. How do you handle something like this? Is it a harder attack roll or is it ANOTHER attack roll? Do you still take AC into account? I like to encourage them to be creative and do stuff like this so I don't just want to refuse, but at the same time I want to make it difficult enough that they aren't trying to pull it off every turn. Any ideas?
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:16PM
#2
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Date Joined:
Jun 10, 2009
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Any time a character attacks another character you can assume, unless they state otherwise, that they are attempting a lethal strike. If a ranger shoots at someone, they are always shooting at his head or heart or other vital organs. If the shot kills that creature, you can say that they completely succeeded at their killing shot. If it doesn't, then you simply say that the creature dodged slightly or that some item or natural defense slightly deflected the shot, and that the arrow hit but not in the lethal way originally intended. Allowing insta-kill called shots at specific body parts is generally a terrible idea, regardless of how high you make the difficulty
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:19PM
#3
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That makes sense. How about if they're trying to cut someone's hand off or something similar to that? Specific target, not an instant kill but something interesting going on?
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:21PM
#4
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Date Joined:
Apr 21, 2003
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There are no called shots under standard D&D rules. In general it is a bad idea to implement them as it is a tricky rule to balance. The assumption that all combatants are trying to be as effective as possible, making the lucky extra-effective shot a critical, is a common fluff justification for this choice. Also, by 3.5 rules at least, most suits of armor include a helmet, gauntlets, etc. when appropriate, which you can optionally replace. So the senario that the player gave shouldn't have to happen.
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:22PM
#5
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Date Joined:
Oct 30, 2008
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AC and HP are abstractions that take this sort of thing into account. I say if he wants to shoot it in the head, he shoots it in the head. Don't give him any extra damage for it though.
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:26PM
#6
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What about taking off a hand or maybe a bag or something hanging from a belt?
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:37PM
#7
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Allowing insta-kill called shots at specific body parts is generally a terrible idea, regardless of how high you make the difficulty
You forgot, in my opinion. Why is this such a *terrible* idea? In my opinion, I'm pretty sure if you shoot someone through the eye or in the face with an arrow, it's either going to kill them or take them out of a battle. The penalties to do such an act would be extremely high, but if one manages to hit, it makes it all the more satisfying to know that you succeeded. Why is this such a terrible idea?
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:39PM
#8
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What about taking off a hand or maybe a bag or something hanging from a belt?
Sounds like a thievery/pickpocket roll. The Rogue has a utility for that sort of thing, perhaps your ranger can multiclass.
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:44PM
#9
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Date Joined:
Sep 13, 2001
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What about taking off a hand
When you reduce a creature to 0 hp or less, you already get the option to knock him out or kill him. Essentially, taking a creature down to 0 hp should effectively defeat that creature even if it lives. When the player takes the creature down to 0 hp, just say that he chops off his hand and the creature surrenders as a result of his grevious wounds.
or maybe a bag or something hanging from a belt?
Thievery skill check.
<\
\>tuntman
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4 years ago ::
Sep 08, 2009 - 12:57PM
#10
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What about taking off a hand or maybe a bag or something hanging from a belt?
You're making this harder than it needs to be. Here's a simple system that does what you want it to do.
Headshot: -10 to hit
Hand/Foot: -8
Arm/Leg: -6
Torso: -4 Random Item: Adjudicate using above examples based on circumstances. Usually anywhere from -2 to -10 depending on size and conditions. I would not worry about AC as this would be abstracted into the penalty to hit. Just make something up and go with it, taking into account conditions, lighting, etc.
So for example: DM: As the battle rages on around you, you notice that the evil necromancer reaches into his tunic and pulls forth an object which appears to be some type of rod or sceptre and starts chanting in some unrecognizable dialect. Ranger, it's your turn, what are you doing? Ranger: I'm going to try and shoot that rod thingy from his hand. It looks important and he probably needs it to complete whatever it is he's doing. DM: Okay, you can certainly try that, but you're going to take a penalty to hit. Quickly figures out penalty.
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