Re: [DL] Newcomer - d20 Question

[Paul-André Beaulieu <beaulieu@pipcom.com>]

Actually, abuse is almost never an issue in my group. We've all known each other for years and have better things to do than to have a row over a minor point in the rules. The GM makes a call, and that call is heeded by all unless it's silly and / or unrealistic.

 

-P-A

 

----- Original Message -----

From: coyote

To: deadlands@gamerz.net

Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 1:51 PM

Subject: RE: [DL] Newcomer - d20 Question

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-deadlands@gamerz.net [mailto:owner-deadlands@gamerz.net]On Behalf Of Paul-André Beaulieu
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 12:58 PM
To: deadlands@gamerz.net
Subject: Re: [DL] Newcomer - d20 Question

Sounds like a good take on it. I don't remember the Marksman feat requiring surprise, but that could be an oversight on my part.

 

>>Snip>>

 

It may not I'm just pulling mechanics out of thin air and tempering 'em with twenty-odd years of gaming experience. Requiring surprise is a minor requisite does not in any way eliminate the usefulness of the feat it just limits prevents it from becoming overly effective. The same goes for the two round aiming requirement for the 5th level special ability.

 

Always remember this, if a special ability or feat becomes a problem and your players abusing it just turn the tables on 'em. After they lose a couple of characters to sniper fire they'll probably back off a smidge and might, just might show a little compassion and mercy.

 

Happi Holidaze,

 

>>Joseph C. Wolf

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: coyote

To: deadlands@gamerz.net

Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 12:30 PM

Subject: RE: [DL] Newcomer - d20 Question

Hi Paul-Andre',

 

Good question. Well here's how I'd do it.

 

Marksman lets the character in question perform a coup de grace on somebody who's not expecting to be shot at. Ordinarily the only way you can perform a coup de grace is with a slashing or piercing melee weapon against a helpless opponent. A helpless opponent is one that is either unconscious, immobolilized, or in some other way incapacitated and therefore defenseless. Performing a coup de grace is a full round action that provokes attacks of opportunity. The marksman feet allows the character to perform a coup de grace without all those prohibitions save one and that is the target has to be surprised, i.e. caught flat-footed. The 5th level ability allows a Rifleman to perform a coup de grace attack after only two rounds of aiming regardless of the target's state of awareness. Remember aiming is a full round action and it probably does provoke attacks of opportunity.

 

I hope this answers your question.

 

Happi trailz,

 

>>Joseph C. Wolf

--
Joseph C. Wolf
Line Developer, Dark Heaven Legends d20
Reaper Miniatures Inc.

Errant PEG Freelancer

 

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-deadlands@gamerz.net [mailto:owner-deadlands@gamerz.net]On Behalf Of Paul-André Beaulieu
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 7:42 PM
To: deadlands@gamerz.net
Subject: [DL] Newcomer - d20 Question

Greetings all... I've been lurking here for a little while, and have a question to ask the d20 crowd particularly:

 

The Rifleman prestige class (from Way of the Gun) gets the Marksman feat at 1st level. They also get a 'coup de grace' (I believe that's the name) ability (at 5th level, I believe) that lets them inflict a coup de grace (killing shot) using their rifle after aiming for two full rounds. I'm sorry if I got this wrong, but doesn't the Marksman feat allow you to do just that after aiming for a single full round? I just can't see the advantage of the 'coup de grace' rilfeman ability when compared to the Marksman feat.

 

-P-A