Explaining vorpal sword effect

[sidonath]

What actually happens when small character wielding a vorpal blade hits colossal tall creature?

There could be two explanations:
1. The tall creature bent over to hit small one, and he/she/it used his vorpal sword to cut his head of.

2. "You try to hit giant's big toe, but you lose control under your sword. Suddenly, your blade pulls you off ground and guides your hand to giant's protected neck. Blade cuts the armor and the bone as it was paper and giant's head falls under your foot. After that you land softly on the ground"

I like second one much more

 

[dcollins]

(3) "The DM may have to make judgement calls about this sword's effect." For example, the DM could simply decide that the ability cannot function against a creature too tall for you to reach the neck.

 

[Particle_Man]

"One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!"

Galumphing is optional.

Other than that, I would go for the first explanation. A natural 20 should be good for something, but I wouldn't want to leave the door open to a cheap levitation effect by a canny player.

 

[Scion]

4) vorpal? what vorpal? those dont exist in this world

 

[Darklone]

Simply rule the vorpal blade cut the giants leg.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

I'd go for number (2) - because it makes me laugh!

More seriously:

I'd have the half pint manage to scramble up the beasts body and chop from there.

Or, the thing falls over and they can just step in and lop while it's lying down.

I'd have them lose their grip on the Vorpal Sword, it would fall into a rabbit hole. A special magic rabbit hole, that would plane shift to somewhere the players can't ever go. But that's because I like a nice fight to break up combat.

 

[sidonath]

I'd go for number (2) - because it makes me laugh!

More seriously:

I'd have the half pint manage to scramble up the beasts body and chop from there.

Or, the thing falls over and they can just step in and lop while it's lying down.

I'd have them lose their grip on the Vorpal Sword, it would fall into a rabbit hole. A special magic rabbit hole, that would plane shift to somewhere the players can't ever go. But that's because I like a nice fight to break up combat.

That's one of the reasons I like it (another one is fact that I like anime )

Actually, any sword can cut opponent's head, but as I see it, vorpal swords are enchanted to do that more often and since they are powered by magic they should do it flashy

 

[Li Shenron]

If you are concerned about the cinematic explanation, what really matters it only the effect: the target dies. Instead of having the head chopped off, you can say that the sword hit its toe, resonating the blow throught the whole creature's skeleton which shatters in a moment, or that you hit the groin from below and a crack opens the whole body in half, and so on...

 

[Plane Sailing]

(3) "The DM may have to make judgement calls about this sword's effect." For example, the DM could simply decide that the ability cannot function against a creature too tall for you to reach the neck.

This is the option that I would unequivocally take. In this case I'd make the judgement call that your vorpal sword is not going to be able to reach the colossal creatures neck, and even if you scrambled onto its back your sword won't reach all the way through its 15ft thick neck.

I think all DMs should be happy to make judgement calls as and when necessary.

 

[wally]

I had a friend who told me a great story of his dwarf chopping into a dragon's foot, and having the head fall off and land on him.