Saturday, September 14, 2019

Knock Out Rules in D&D

Knock out rules in D&D have always been stinky and I don't really know how to fix that. At my table, if a person takes any hit point damage from nonlethal sources and then goes to 0 or less, he's actually knocked out instead of made to be dead. But that's really not a great solution for when someone "gets the drop on ya" or whatever and just konks you on the head. 

Not that it comes up a lot but I'd hate for some of my players to not try it because the rules are written in a stinky way.

SO here is one solution I saw on MeWe but I can't remember to whom I should attribute it. 

The Saps and Blackjacks Rule

On a surprise attack or a backstab attempt from behind with a sap or blackjack or improvised blunt weapon (referee's discretion), the target takes 1d6 nonlethal HP and throws a Save versus Paralyzation. If the target fails the save, he is knocked out for 1d6 Turns (10-60 minutes.)

Having significantly nonhuman physiology (like no head or no bones), being 6 HD or greater, or wearing a helmet will negate the necessity for this save.


1. Who wrote this rule? I honestly can't remember.

2. What do you think about it?

8 comments:

  1. Interesting approach Scott. I guess the nonlethal d6 only really counts if the target successfully saves. Seems simple and elegant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the vine Glenn. I saw the rule and thought about how to apply it to my game where all weapons do 1d6. This seems right. It’s not my rule but I don’t know who came up with it.

      Delete
  2. I just use the rule that when you bring somebody to 0hp, you can declare whatever you want, a kill being the default but if it’s reasonable to imagine, it works. No non-lethal damage by spells and ranged weapons, for example. And when players still want to do it then I tell them nobody can simply knock Conan out while he still has hp left.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping in, Alex! I like your restrictions. can you tell us, when does the attacker declare when the damage is legal or not? Prior to the attackor after or what?

      Delete
    2. I let players decide after the fact. This happens as part of the conversation. "All right, you kill it! Or did you want to take a prisoner?" (if they mentioned wanting to do this during the fight). "All right, that's a hit and that's all they had left in them. What do you want to do with them?"

      Delete
  3. This is pretty similar to the rules for the blackjack in the companion set

    ReplyDelete
  4. i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
    or
    call/whatsapp:+2349057261346










    i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
    or
    call/whatsapp:+2349057261346

    ReplyDelete
  5. "Radon affecting the air quality.
    When we talk about air quality, one of the most hazardous elements affecting the air quality and being the number one cause of lung cancer is the presence of radon in the air around us and if inhaled for a prolonged period, it can eventually drive us towards death. It is present all around us but its presence in our own house is alarming. We should get our homes inspected regularly in order to know if the air in which we are breathing is safe for us or not. Radon inspection in Columbus is a job, Linkhorn is known for. They have certified professionals who make sure to proceed with the inspection in a thorough way and get rid of your problems for you. Linkhorn ensures to send the best home inspector in Columbus Ohio to deal with radon related issues as it needs to be dealt with, with extreme care and expertise.
    "




    ReplyDelete