Assassin's Death Touch

[Odraude]

I've been looking through all of my old DnD 3.5 books as well as Pathfinder books and I've been working on recreating the assassin prestige class as a package. I am looking to build an ability they have where they watch a target and their next attack does much more damage. I am building it with Extra Time (watching the target for 5 minutes) plus a RAR: Analyze Skill Roll so they have to succeed with an analyze roll. I decided to build this in two ways.

The first is built using the rules of Deadly Blow in 6E1 pg 447. However, according to the 6E1 pg 71, I cannot add damage with CSLs that have limitations... this conflicts with the rules of Deadly Blow, which is made up of CSLs specifically to add damage under certain circumtances. Not sure what to do with that but here is the "Deadly Blow" alternative build.

Death's Caress: 6 8-point CSLs, 48 Active Points; Only To increase Damage (-1/2), Only with weapons (-1/2), Only Against Humanoids (-1), RSR (Analyze Roll: -1/2), Extra Time (5 Minutes: -2); 9 Real Points
The second uses a cheaper, more legal alternative, though the relative cheapness of the power concerns me a bit.

Death's Caress: HKA +1d6, 15 Action Points; Only With Weapons (-1/2), Only Against Humanoids (-1), RSR (Analyze Roll: -1/2), Extra Time (5 Minutes: -2); 3 Real Points
I am not sure which is the better (or legal) to use. I feel more comfortable with option 1. Any suggestions?

[kahuna's bro]

dim mak anyone?

[Daltwisney]

I'm not sure what books you are using... neither of your page references have anything to do with what you are asking.

However, I would suggest you use the rules for the Talent: Deadly Blow, as presented on 6E1, p113.

In fact, one of the listed examples is Assassin's Touch, which would be 16 pts (for EACH +1d6 of Killing Damage - unadvantaged), and affects only Humanoid Targets. If the GM is willing, you could certainly tie that down farther with Extra Time and the RSR lims.

[Odraude]

dim mak anyone?

Not sure I follow...


I'm not sure what books you are using... neither of your page references have anything to do with what you are asking.

However, I would suggest you use the rules for the Talent: Deadly Blow, as presented on 6E1, p113.

In fact, one of the listed examples is Assassin's Touch, which would be 16 pts (for EACH +1d6 of Killing Damage - unadvantaged), and affects only Humanoid Targets. If the GM is willing, you could certainly tie that down farther with Extra Time and the RSR lims.

Made a mistake with the first page number. Its page 447 in the first 6th Ed Book, at the appendix where it shows how the talents were created. I was pretty much rebuilding the Deadly Blow talent (which is in the first build), only adding the two new limitations Extra Time and RAR. The rules on CSLs are on pg 71 though of the first book and state this:
"With the GM’s permission, characters can put Limitations on CSLs (for example, to build equipment, like a laser sight for a gun). The GM may restrict which types of CSLs a character can Limit; for example he might rule that only 3-point or more expensive CSLs can have Limitations. Unless the GM rules otherwise, CSLs with Limitations can only increase the user’s OCV, not DCV or damage. (Limitations such as “Only For OCV” or “Only For DCV” are not legal for CSLs; if a character wants that, he should just buy more of the OCV or DCV Characteristics.)"

That makes me a bit hesitant to use a limitation on Deadly Blow but it would be the choice I'm more comfortable with.

[Daltwisney]

That makes me a bit hesitant to use a limitation on Deadly Blow but it would be the choice I'm more comfortable with.

Well, since the Deadly Blow Talent itself is built as CSLs with Limitations, I'm not sure adding other restrictions should make a 'mechanical' difference.

'Dim Mak' is classically used to refer to Touch of Death/Touch of Weakness powers in MA lore. Since you specifically mentioned D&D, the 'Vibrating Palm' Monk power from AD&D would also qualify. (iow, he was making a joke)

[Odraude]

hehe fair enough. thanks for the help.

[Killer Shrike]

There are lots of different ways to do this, and individual assassins can reasonably have various mechanisms for accomplishing it.

Here is an assassin PC I played in a "Grey HERO" campaign a long time ago: Ollix (http://www.killershrike.com/MiscCharacters/Fantasy/Ollix%20Androwsen.HTML); his Assassin Lore ability allowed me to model all sorts of "assassination" ideas.

The Simuto Daku (http://www.killershrike.com/SanDora/Organizations/SimutoDaku.aspx) is an Assassins guild from my World of San'Dora setting; they use Deadly Blow to accomplish their lethality.

The Backbiter (http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/Content/PackageDeals/BasicPackages/Backbiter.aspx) package offers a solid base for an assassin type character.

The The Whispering Edge (http://www.killershrike.info/GenericaRealmEsotericaNationDoss_WhisperingEdge.as hx) package also offers a solid base for assassins.

I could dig up more if handy. One of the themes of a past campaign back about 10 years ago, under 4e, was a couple of dueling assassins guilds. There was a lot of material done up for that arc, but it was paper based.