Coup de Grace

For DCC RPG rules discussion. Includes rules questions and ideas, new rules suggestions, homebrews and hacks, conversions to other systems, and everything else rules-related.

Moderators: DJ LaBoss, finarvyn, michaelcurtis, Harley Stroh

Post Reply
User avatar
nerdwerds
Wild-Eyed Zealot
Posts: 86
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
Location: Madison, WI
Contact:

Coup de Grace

Post by nerdwerds »

I was just reviewing the combat rules and I never noticed it before but there is no exception for the coup de grace, which seems unusual to me and I know my players would revolt if they were unable to slay prone or helpless opponents. Specifically the rules say +1d for attacking "sleeping" or "helpless" characters, which implies that a character would roll a d24 instead of a d20.

Is there a reason for this ruling?

It seems to me that if you still want to make the fumble of a natural "1" an interesting result in such a situation you wouldn't have an attack roll at all for a coup de grace, instead you'd have a "don't get a fumble" roll. Which is actually something I do on occasion when somebody wants to do something incredibly easy but I see a way it could fail, I hand them a d20 and say "Don't roll a 1."
"The Shamrock Shake is a frosty, minty symbol of all that we hold dear. It is shameful that we as a people cannot enjoy this proud, symbolic beverage any more than one week a year. Unless the British government loosens its iron grip on this most Irish of shakes, the streets will once again run red with English blood." - Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing.
User avatar
IronWolf
Deft-Handed Cutpurse
Posts: 268
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:28 pm
Location: Central Ohio
Contact:

Re: Coup de Grace

Post by IronWolf »

nerdwerds wrote:I was just reviewing the combat rules and I never noticed it before but there is no exception for the coup de grace, which seems unusual to me and I know my players would revolt if they were unable to slay prone or helpless opponents. Specifically the rules say +1d for attacking "sleeping" or "helpless" characters, which implies that a character would roll a d24 instead of a d20.

Is there a reason for this ruling?

It seems to me that if you still want to make the fumble of a natural "1" an interesting result in such a situation you wouldn't have an attack roll at all for a coup de grace, instead you'd have a "don't get a fumble" roll. Which is actually something I do on occasion when somebody wants to do something incredibly easy but I see a way it could fail, I hand them a d20 and say "Don't roll a 1."
This is where the "let the rules bend to you, not the other way around" phrase comes to play in my mind. If your group liked coup de grace and you know they would be disappointed, then play it the way you want. Let them roll a d20 and hope they don't get a 1. Assign damage as you see fit. No need for player revolt, fill in this area with a solution that fits your group. Sounds like you have a great one!
Post Reply

Return to “Rules discussion”