Pull/Trip

A good tactic against moving enemies or characters who arenÆt paying attention is a trip or tangling maneuver. To pull or trip an opponent, the character must be armed with a weapon that has the ability to snare someoneÆs legs. The following weapons all qualify: bill, bola, bow, light or heavy crossbow, horsemanÆs flail, harpoon, javelin, khopesh, lasso, mancatcher, net, footmanÆs or horsemanÆs pick, any polearm, quarterstaff, scourge, spear, staff sling, and whip. These weapons feature long, staff-like pieces, chains or ropes, or heads that can catch and pull an enemyÆs legs out from under him.

To pull or trip an enemy, the character makes a normal attack roll. If he hits, he makes an opposed roll of his Strength against the defenderÆs Dexterity or Strength, whichever is better. If the attacker wins, the defender is knocked down. If the defender wins or if both fail, the attack fails. If the roll is a tie, they both fall down.

For purposes of this maneuver, a monsterÆs normal movement rate can be considered its Dexterity score. Its Strength is equal to 31/2 points per size plus its Hit Dice. There are several modifiers that apply to the attackerÆs Strength, however:

╖ 4-point bonus or penalty per size difference of the attacker versus the defender;

╖ û2 to attackerÆs Strength if the target has four legs or more;

╖ +3 if the defender was unaware of the pull or trip attack;

╖ û6 if the defender was stationary.

For example, Alvoth is waiting in ambush for the kingÆs messenger to come galloping down a wooded lane. He decides to use his halberd to trip the horse when it comes by. If he hits, heÆll use his Strength against the horseÆs move of 18. AlvothÆs Strength is modified by û4 for the size difference and û2 for the horseÆs extra legs, but +3 because he is hiding, so his 17 Strength is an effective 14 for purposes of tripping the horse.

Optionally, the opposed roll can be replaced by a simple saving throw vs. paralyzation. ItÆs not as accurate, but it may be more convenient for the DM and players to remember.

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