D&D 5E So here is a question with Cleave thru using a Vorpal Weapon?

[Athinar]

So here is a question with Cleave thru using a Vorpal Weapon? Natural 20, how much damage? and how many creatures will fall?

 

[PnPgamer]

There are no rules for this, but for balance reasons id say the cleaved ones do not get their heads cut off. Roll the 6d8 and the basic damage for the weapon+strength and start cleaving with that.

Cleaving everyones head within reach might be a bit unbalanced.

 

[miniaturehoarder]

I'd say roll damage for the crit as normal, and if there is any in excess of the target being beheaded's full HP, the remaining damage cleaves through as normal.

That 6D8 is just for creatures that vorpal doesn't get to autokill.

 

[Rune]

I'd say roll damage for the crit as normal, and if there is any in excess of the target being beheaded's full HP, the remaining damage cleaves through as normal.

In this case you have completely negated the vorpal effect. I think it would be better to behead the first target and deal normal crit damage to the next.

 

[miniaturehoarder]

In this case you have completely negated the vorpal effect. I think it would be better to behead the first target and deal normal crit damage to the next.

The vorpal effect is more than powerful enough on its own and doesn't need any boosting from the "Cleaving through foes" variant rule which is exclusively for weaker foes who can't weather a character's normal damage.

 

[Paraxis]

If the scene is between a high enough level character that he got a vorpal weapon in one of my games and a horde of low h.p minion types, I don't even know if there would be an initiative roll. I would let them describe how they wade through a courtyard of these creatures to get to the real fight behind the big double doors or at the top of the tower.

At a certain point in D&D it is like Superman vs a local biker gang, all you need to see is a panel or two with bikes being thrown around and a pile of guys knocked out bleeding, then turn the page and he is dealing with the real threat who was hiding amongst the bikers.

 

[Rune]

The vorpal effect is more than powerful enough on its own and doesn't need any boosting from the "Cleaving through foes" variant rule which is exclusively for weaker foes who can't weather a character's normal damage.

I'm not trying to boost the vorpal effect. I'm pointing out that if you assign enough damage to the first foe to kill it anyway, there is no vorpal effect, only normal damage that kills that foe. You've taken away the cool thing that a vorpal sword does (which is, bypass the dealing damage part).

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I'm not trying to boost the vorpal effect. I'm pointing out that if you assign enough damage to the first foe to kill it anyway, there is no vorpal effect, only normal damage that kills that foe. You've taken away the cool thing that a vorpal sword does (which is, bypass the dealing damage part).

agreed...

I would (Depending on circumstances) rule one of 2 ways... my first gut reaction is to give them the cool blood soaked moment and say "You decapitate the closest 8 targets... the rest will make a will save =to your cha mod+8 to see if they fight or flight.. or I would auto kill 1 of them then roll a standard crit to cleave through... it depends on how much my story need these minions...

 

[Athinar]

If the scene is between a high enough level character that he got a vorpal weapon in one of my games and a horde of low h.p minion types, I don't even know if there would be an initiative roll. I would let them describe how they wade through a courtyard of these creatures to get to the real fight behind the big double doors or at the top of the tower.

At a certain point in D&D it is like Superman vs a local biker gang, all you need to see is a panel or two with bikes being thrown around and a pile of guys knocked out bleeding, then turn the page and he is dealing with the real threat who was hiding amongst the bikers.

I agree with Paraxis (18+ Level Characters) and also with killing the first 8 if they qualify for Cleave Thru for lower level characters; Smart Warriors will cut them selves for 1 point of damage then go into battle to prevent the Cleave

Remember that you need a Natural 20

I believe the Cleave should be a Feat like in 3.X

DM's when you attack with multiple creatures to prevent the Cleave place unwounded, wounded, unwounded, etc... around the PC