Arena Tournament, Round 32: Jeanette vs. JSB

Free action: Jeanette drops her mace.
Also a free action: "Alright, fine, what *do* you want?"

@refs:

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Ready a move action to pick up the mace if JSB makes an attack roll at her.

So... Given that Jeanette doesn't have any ranged capability and exactly the same move speed as JSB, I'm curious. Is there a mechanism in place to discourage him from just running away for 8,000 posts?

Done.

stats:

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Position: D6
HP: 10+ 9/9
AC: 14, Touch: 10
Saves: +3/+0/+2
Power Points: 3
Psionic Focus: Yes
Vigor: 7/20

Move action: Sheathe dagger, hand on hilt.

Free Action: Wow! I can't believe that actually worked. Way I see it is this. No way I'm gettin' near you while you're silvery, no way you're gettin near me when I'm tryin' to stay away. Now I could run around until whatever that spell is, is gone, or we can both leave this arena without dyin. See, I don't like that whole "bleedin" thing. No weapons, just fists, first one to hit the other wins?

Misc Action: 5 foot step to C19.

Done.

stats for refs:

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Ready action: Still got that focus in my hand, even if it's in a sheath. Ready action to cast backbiter if she grabs the mace.

Movement: C20 to C19.
HP: 5
AC: 17 (+3 Dex, +4 Mage Armor)
Saves: F +1, R +3, W +2
In hand: Dagger
Effects: Mage Armor 9/600

Spells:
Lv 0
Sonic Snap x1
Touch of Fatigue
Touch of Fatigue
Touch of Fatigue

Lv 1
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter

Sheesh, this has gotta be the weirdest proposal I've ever made. Heh.

ref chilepepper

@Jeanette

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When neither contestant takes an action for several rounds, there is a 10 round countdown to "The Meteor" which kills everyone in the arena. The combatants have that long to start making progress, or else. I don't know if there's been a precedent for only one combatant not making progress in a match. It'll never get to 8000 posts, I can assure you that. However, reviewing the match so far, there's no need to even worry about it yet.

Five foot step to C7, Move action draw her sickle, free action drop it. "I think you think you can do more damage with your bare hands than with the dagger."

@refs

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Hey, thanks for that clarification.

Standard action, ready an action to pick up the sickle if JSB finishes his next turn within my charging range, like he is right now. Hardly sporting, I know.

Done.

Stats:

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Position: C7
HP: 10+ 9/9
AC: 14, Touch: 10
Saves: +3/+0/+2
Power Points: 3
Psionic Focus: Yes
Vigor: 8/20

Round 10: Partly Parley

No spells, just punches. Deal?

No other actions. We're in parley, after all. Hardly considerate to scream terms over my shoulder.

Done.

For refs:

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Ready action: Still got that focus in my hand, even if it's in a sheath. Ready action to cast backbiter if she attempts to melee attack me before my next action.

Movement: C19 to C18.
HP: 5
AC: 17 (+3 Dex, +4 Mage Armor)
Saves: F +1, R +3, W +2
In hand: Dagger
Effects: Mage Armor 10/600

Spells:
Lv 0
Sonic Snap x1
Touch of Fatigue
Touch of Fatigue
Touch of Fatigue

Lv 1
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter

ref chilepepper
@JSB

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In your ref spoiler, you state movement, but you didn't say the movement out of spoilers. If you meant to move, please post that now, I've seen that the high refs rule on intention in these cases, and since Jeanette hasn't moved, I'll let you take the 5'step, but you have to tell Jeanette.

Need a clarification from JSB, then Jeanette may take her turn.

@Refs

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Non-observable text, such as readied actions, go by spoiler block. Observable things, such as movement, go by visible area. The movement was something I was pondering and changed before posting. I just didn't update the stat block. I've lined it out to show that it's invalid. No movement for this round.

There's clarification. Go ahead, Miss Jeanette. :)

Well, 'doing nothing' triggered my readied action. Jeanette scoops the sickle off the floor, and quips "Nope!"

Full Round Action: Charge to C17, smash.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Psionic Weapon: [roll2]

Stats:

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Position: C17
HP: 10+ 9/9
AC: 12, Touch: 8
Saves: +3/+0/+2
Power Points: 3
Psionic Focus: No
Vigor: 9/20

Well, the attack triggered mine... Just cause I'm talkin', doesn't mean I'm dumb ;) I assume you meant C18, as I'm currently in C19.

Readied Action: Cast a spell, if I'm attacked in melee

First, I'll take a 5 foot step back to C20, since you're 5 feet away.

Second, I cast. No touch attacks this time. No mixing it up in melee with a close combat specialist.

Just a will save, if you would. DC 18.

@ Refs:

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Readied spell, per last spoiler block, is Backbiter. She won't be shaken by my Fearsome Necromancy Effect, as the spell specifically targets the weapon, not the character.

Yeah, yeah.

Immediate action: Elan Resistance.

Will save: [roll0]

This is Backbiter, I'm guessing?

stats:

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Position: C18
HP: 10+ 9/9
AC: 12, Touch: 8
Saves: +7/+4/+6
Power Points: 2
Psionic Focus: No
Vigor: 9/20

Yup. Backbiter it is.

Since backstabbing's your forte, try your own!

Good news, spell is cast on the weapon, not you, so you don't have to worry about Fearsome Necromancy. Since it uses your saves, the resistance does apply.

Bad news, you failed. Weapon auto hits you, dealing full normal damage for the attack. Wielder cannot consciously reduce damage. So, that's 16 to you, by the roll, which should tear through those temp hp like a hot sickle through Elan.

Query concerning Elan wonky PP tricks: Can you reduce with Resilience in the same turn you use resistance?

Stats for refs:

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Movement: C19 to C20.
HP: 5
AC: 17 (+3 Dex, +4 Mage Armor)
Saves: F +1, R +3, W +2
In hand: Dagger
Effects: Mage Armor 10/600

Spells:
Lv 0
Sonic Snap x1
Touch of Fatigue
Touch of Fatigue
Touch of Fatigue

Lv 1
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter

They're Immediate actions, and you only get one of those a round, so no. Jeanette gives a spirited attempt to slice her own arm off, but fortunately is still standing. Because you're a wussy mage and can't actually drop her next turn (I think), she's going to press her advantage.

Move action to C19, swing.
Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

Done, afterwards.

stats:

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Position: C19
HP: 3/9
AC: 14, Touch: 10
Saves: +7/+4/+6
Power Points: 2
Psionic Focus: No

Minor problem with that. As I made the last readied action, my initiative count is slightly above yours. It's currently my action, prior to the attack. You're right though. I can't drop you in one action, even with your immediate actions expended until after your next action. Curses on me and my lack of magic missiles. My only shot is hoping for a miracle melee dagger hit while that Elan force shield is down.

Move action: Draw Dagger.
Standard: Throw Dagger Attack [roll0]
If Hit: [roll1]
If threat: [roll2]
If Crit: [roll3]

Now you get your action. I have no prob if you reroll those attacks, as the action was accidentally out of turn.

Stats for refs:

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Movement: C20
HP: 5
AC: 17 (+3 Dex, +4 Mage Armor)
Saves: F +1, R +3, W +2
In hand: Nothing.
Effects: Mage Armor 11/600

Spells:
Lv 0
Sonic Snap x1
Touch of Fatigue
Touch of Fatigue
Touch of Fatigue

Lv 1
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter
Backbiter

Yuck!

DC 10 Dex check for crit fumble [roll0]

Double Yuck!

I'm prone in square, and weaponless, it seems. Cruel gods of physical combat, take my life.

ref chilepepper

First of all, Backbiter. Only magic weapons get a save. I would assume Jeanette should get those PP back, ask for a high ref if you two can't agree.

Secondly, critical fumble. Unless I missed an Arena house rule, there's no such thing. According to RAW, a natural 1 is always a miss, nothing more, nothing less.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chilepepper

ref chilepepper

First of all, Backbiter. Only magic weapons get a save. I would assume Jeanette should get those PP back, ask for a high ref if you two can't agree.

Secondly, critical fumble. Unless I missed an Arena house rule, there's no such thing. According to RAW, a natural 1 is always a miss, nothing more, nothing less.

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Incorrect. Per the listing for backbiter, attended weapons get a save at their owner's save bonus. If this were not true, I'd argue that the spell be banned immediately. You should be able to verify this; otherwise, I'd like a High Ref to do so.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Backbiter spell, Spell Compendium

You cast this spell on any melee weapon. The next time that weapon is used to make a melee attack, its shaft twists around so that the weapon strikes the wielder instead. The weapon hits automatically, and no attack roll is made.
The wielder gets no warning or knowledge of the spell’s effect on his weapon, and although he makes the attack, the self-dealt damage can’t be consciously reduced (though damage reduction applies) or changed to nonlethal damage. Once the weapon attacks its wielder (whether successfully or not), the spell is discharged.
Magic weapons targeted by this spell receive a Will save. An item in a creature’s possession uses its own Will save bonus or its wielder’s bonus,
whichever is higher.
Focus: A dagger.

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Edit: if no fumble, then I'm standing.

Edit Edit: if ruled no save, I'd like to reverse play to the hit in question, as my opponent will more than likely want to use PP to soak damage, and current HP were the main factor in my dagger throw.

Edit Edit Edit: For refs:

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Where'd my dagger land? I may want that back.

I am very confused, so I'm going to wait for a ref to explain what actually happened.

High Ref Mav:

1)All weapons get a save with backbiter, Magical weapons simply get to use there own saving throw.


2)Throw weapons that miss end up in the square of the target they were thrown at.

3)There are no such thing as crit fumbles.

Fishy, when I backbiter'd you as a readied action, that gave me the next action (I interrupted your attack on your turn, and my initiative becomes set to yours, acting just before).

I then threw my dagger at you (you were at 3 life, if my math is right, and without immediate actions), missing, and rolled a crit fumble that I shouldn't have.

Current state is that I'm 10 feet away from you, weaponless, your turn.

Per mavian's ruling, Chile's post was in error (weapons do get saves vs backbiter), so everything in our play was correct (with the exception of your last attack). It's your action. You're slightly too close to charge, but then, I attacked last action, so I have no readied actions.

That is, assuming you're amenable to that interpretation. If not, we can wait for someone else to give you the information.

EDIT: If you do need more information from refs, please post a request in the waiting room for it. I can tell ya a ref job has a lot of tracking info down. Waiting in here for it means we'll wait a while.

ref chilepepper

Okay, the order of what happened is this.

in round 9, Jeanette readied an action.

Code:

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Round 10
JSB - readies an action, but does nothing else
    -that triggered Jeanette's ready and she picked up her weapon
Jeanette - charged and attacked
    -that triggered JSB's ready and he stepped back and cast backbiter
    -Jeanette uses an immediate action to boost her save, fails, and hit's
          herself with the charge attack
Round 11
JSB - draws and throws dagger, missing horribly

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Now it's Jeanette's turn in the bottom of round 11, she is in C18 and JSB is in C20 empty handed.

(As for the thing about readied actions and moving initiative, it doesn't have any actual bearing when there's only two initiatives. Taking a readied action moves your init to right before whatever triggered it. Since you already are right before your opponent, nothing actually changes.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chilepepper

ref chilepepper

Okay, the order of what happened is this.

in round 9, Jeanette readied an action.

Code:

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Round 10
JSB - readies an action, but does nothing else
    -that triggered Jeanette's ready and she picked up her weapon
Jeanette - charged and attacked
    -that triggered JSB's ready and he stepped back and cast backbiter
    -Jeanette uses an immediate action to boost her save, fails, and hit's
          herself with the charge attack
Round 11
JSB - draws and throws dagger, missing horribly

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Now it's Jeanette's turn in the bottom of round 11, she is in C18 and JSB is in C20 empty handed.

(As for the thing about readied actions and moving initiative, it doesn't have any actual bearing when there's only two initiatives. Taking a readied action moves your init to right before whatever triggered it. Since you already are right before your opponent, nothing actually changes.)

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I prefer noting it by that term for clarity, especially when an issue comes up before concerning it. That way, if anyone later goes into a fight with more than 2 opponents (Free for all, for instance, or a person with an animal companion), then it will matter.

Ah, I see what happened: I mistook JSB's readied action for his actual turn. Sorry about that.

Once again, move to C19, hit with sickle.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Stats:

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Position: C19
HP: 3/9
AC: 14, Touch: 10
Saves: +7/+4/+6
Power Points: 2
Psionic Focus: No

Ooooh, I'm staggered. Well, now that makes this hard. Readying an action will knock me out. I gotta hope for two minor miracles here, for even a good showing.

Free action: 5 foot step to D19.
Move action: Pick up dagger in adjacent square. (provoke AoO)

Done.

Posting this in the open:

Current HP = 0/5
Current AC = 17 (+3 dex, +4 Mage Armor)
Current Location = D19

Take your AoO, and your normal attack. If both miss, I'm gonna spit in your eye and get knocked out by chucking a dagger at you one last time.

EDIT: DEFIANCE TO THE END!!!!!!
(Oh, and well played)

Wait, seriously? I was kind of hoping Jeanette would be put out of her misery.

AoO: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

stats:

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Position: C19
HP: 3/9
AC: 14, Touch: 10
Saves: +3/+0/+2
Power Points: 2
Psionic Focus: No

... Guess not. Good game, better luck in the future for you!

High Ref Mav: This is something I most likey won't screw up

Jeanette wins and receives the prizes previously mentioned.