The Assassination and surprise

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AxeMental
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The Assassination and surprise

Post by AxeMental »

I was wondering how you are dealing with the surprise rule as it relates to assassination. Do you require simple surprise (1-2 in 6) or do you require an attack from behind as a thief? Also, do you limit it to held weapons (rather then a thrown dagger, arrow etc.)?
PS. I'm not referring to poison, only the assassination ability.

My impression is that it follows the same requirements as a thief's backstab, as it mentions an assassin can choose instead to perform a backstab. I'd also allow a disguised assassin to assassinate at point blank range if they are highly trusted and being careful not to be seen until the last moment (grandma with a kitchen knife held behind her back sorta thing).
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."
Thomas Jefferson in letter to Madison

Back in the days when a leopard could grab and break your Australopithecus (gracile or robust) nek and drag you into the tree as a snack, mankind has never had a break"
** Stone Giant


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AxeMental
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Posts: 15105
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:38 am
Location: Florida

Re: The Assassination and surprise

Post by AxeMental »

Thanks for digging that up Lord Cias (I knew we'd talked it over before, but hadn't realized we came to some conclusions). Damn, why the fuck don't we have cool discussions like this any more? Interesting point brought up in the top one by SKA (an assassin opting for backstab against undead (and anything else that has a back that can't be assassinated) a good catch).
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."
Thomas Jefferson in letter to Madison

Back in the days when a leopard could grab and break your Australopithecus (gracile or robust) nek and drag you into the tree as a snack, mankind has never had a break"
** Stone Giant

genghisdon
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Re: The Assassination and surprise

Post by genghisdon »

AxeMental wrote:I was wondering how you are dealing with the surprise rule as it relates to assassination. Do you require simple surprise (1-2 in 6) or do you require an attack from behind as a thief? Also, do you limit it to held weapons (rather then a thrown dagger, arrow etc.)?
PS. I'm not referring to poison, only the assassination ability.

My impression is that it follows the same requirements as a thief's backstab, as it mentions an assassin can choose instead to perform a backstab. I'd also allow a disguised assassin to assassinate at point blank range if they are highly trusted and being careful not to be seen until the last moment (grandma with a kitchen knife held behind her back sorta thing).
simple surprise, not limited to melee

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