Improved Off-Hand Tactics (Combat)


You are exceptionally good at using off-hand tactics.

Prerequisite: Improved Unarmed Strike.

Benefit: When performing an off-hand tactics combat maneuver (see below), you do not provoke attacks of opportunity.

OFF-HAND TACTICS COMBAT MANEUVER

Tradition states that an empty hand on the battlefield is a wasted hand. A warrior should use his off hand to wield a shield for better protection, another weapon to improve the likelihood of landing a blow, or hold his weapon with both hands for more power and a deadlier swing. Strategists buck tradition.

Off-hand tactics are combat maneuvers that require less effort than standard combat maneuvers and can be performed in melee combat as an off-hand attack. The normal rules with two-weapon fighting apply. Offhand tactics are largely improvised, and sometimes are called underhand tactics because such maneuvers are considered dirty. This opinion has not stopped even paladins from occasionally using off-hand tactics to even the odds.

During combat, a character with a free hand can attempt to a variety of off-hand tactics that manipulate opponents and control the battlefield. Unless you have the Improved Off-Hand Tactics feat, off-hand tactics provoke attacks of opportunity.

EAR SLAP: As an off-hand attack, you smack your target in the ear on the side of the helmet. If your attack is successful, your target is deafened for 1 round, +1 round for every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent’s CMD. You cannot ear slap a creature more than two size categories larger or smaller than you. Creatures with no discernible anatomy are immune to ear slap. Targets of a different type than you gain a +4 bonus to their CMD to resist ear slap.

EYE GOUGE: As an off-hand attack, you rake your opponent’s eyes. If your attack is successful, your target is blinded for 1 round, +1 round for every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent’s CMD.

You cannot eye gouge a creature more than two size categories larger or smaller than you. Creatures with no discernible anatomy are immune to eye gouge. Targets of a different type than you gain a +4 bonus to their CMD to resist eye gouge. Creatures with blindsight are immune to eye gouge.

GRAB AND STAB: As an off-hand attack, you pull your target towards your waiting blade. If your attack is successful, your next attack against that target this round gains a +4 circumstance bonus to hit, +1 for every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent’s CMD, and you add 1 ½ times your Strength bonus to damage on a successful hit.

You cannot grab and stab a creature more than two size categories larger or smaller than you. Targets with more legs than you or exceptionally stable targets like dwarves gain a +4 bonus to their CMD against grab and stab.

GRASP: As an off-hand attack, you grab hold of your opponent’s armor, clothes, or body, limiting how and where it can move. If your attack is successful, your opponent cannot leave your natural reach. You maintain this grasp as an attack action until either you release your opponent or your target breaks free from your grasp. Every round your opponent may make a combat maneuver check as a free action to escape. You and your target continue to act normally otherwise. You are not considered grappled when grasping.

HEART PUNCH: As an off-hand attack, you aim to stop your opponent’s heart with a punch in the chest. If your attack is successful, your target is dazed for 1 round, +1 round for every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent’s CMD.

Creatures immune to critical hits or with no discernible anatomy are immune to heart punch. Targets of a different type than you gain a +4 bonus to their CMD to resist heart punch.

SHOVE: As an off-hand attack, you force your target back. If your attack is successful, you move your opponent back 5 feet, while you remain in your space. Your opponent cannot make a 5 foot step on its next turn. Targets with more legs than you or exceptionally stable targets like dwarves gain a +4 bonus to their CMD against shoves.

SMACK: As an off-hand attack, you slap your opponent’s face. If your attack is successful, your opponent suffers a -1 morale penalty to attack anyone other than you on its next turn, with an additional -1 penalty for every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent’s CMD. Smack is a mind-affecting effect.

STRAIGHT ARM: As an off-hand attack, you jostle your opponent’s face, obscuring its field of vision. If your attack is successful, you gain concealment against your opponent’s attacks until the beginning of your next turn.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Strategists and Tacticians. Copyright 2010, 4 Winds Fantasy Gaming; Author Ryan Costello, Jr.

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