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Saxmilian
Learned Scribe
USA
157 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Dec 2015 : 14:09:57
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In the case of creatures with multiple arms say the Marilith demon and the Spellweaver has anyone used additional rules concerning skills like Combat Expertise? A Marilit fights using combat expertise providing a +5 bonus to armor class. What if she uses a second set of arms for the smae thing? All three sets? Any suggestions?
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2015 : 14:49:46
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I would suggest a case-by-case evaluation, with an eye toward the creature's intelligence and role.
A marilith is highly intelligent, and will take the actions that seem most strategically advantageous. In most situations, she's probably aggressive rather than defensive, but if she finds herself in a situation where extreme defensive maneuvers at the expense of attacks are necessary and prudent, she has the wherewithal to justify gaining the extra dodge bonuses to her AC.
A spellweaver is also intelligent, but in this case there are spells and magic item uses that are probably more effective than using weapons as a defense. Not sure I could make a good case for spellweavers having exceptional expertise in physical combat, so I probably wouldn't give them combat expertise in the first place, but that's just me. 
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2015 : 18:24:01
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I suppose the smartest tactic is to use one weapon arm defensively for each attacker/weapon you're facing against. One weapon could parry an opponent's sword, two could parry two swords. One weapon could constantly batter an opponent's shield just to force him to remain tactically engaged. The other weaponry could then be used to strike at unprotected areas, people have a hard time defending against simultaneous attacks coming in high and low or left and right, there's always a blindside to exploit. People have a hard time defending against heavy bludgeoning attacks unless they can bring their shield to bear or brace their weapon stance to deflect the impact. Flails and chain weapons can snake around shield edges or entangle limbs.
And what sort of hero could defend against two two-handed swords?
And what sort of hero could survive the cut of a four-handed sword?
Players should have difficulty vs four-armed mariliths and sahaugins, lol. Especially if these multi-dextrous monsters have chosen skills and weaponry (and magics) similar to what a smart four-armed PC would choose. Just implement whatever fits your rule edition, you can't really go wrong because you probably won't use four-armed adversaries terribly often. And it is always good to inspire a little fear and respect for Class V demons, lol, these beasts didn't slice their way to the top of the pack by being soft and sloppy. |
[/Ayrik] |
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hashimashadoo
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1155 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2015 : 04:51:38
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RAW 3.5e, any arm lacking natural attacks except one counts as being an off hand.
Unless the creature has the Two Weapon Fighting feat, all attacks made using the other arms take a -6/-10 penalty (or a -4/-8 penalty if all of the attacks apart from the designated primary hand are made with light weapons).
The Marilith gets a +5 AC bonus using Combat Expertise because it has the feat and a +16 base attack bonus. The number of arms it has does not enter into the equation - any creature with more than 2 arms never gets any benefit from Combat Expertise beyond what the feat description grants. |
When life turns it's back on you...sneak attack for extra damage.
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Multiple arms
