Combat Manuever: Cloak Fighting

[Ambaryerno]

Random idea for a new Maneuver:

Cloak Fighting

When wearing a cloak, as a standard action you may make an off-hand attack with it once per turn. The attack does no damage, but the target must make a Reflex save (DC to the effect up 10+ 1/2 attacker's BAB or some such) or become Entangled. If he fails, he remains Entangled until he continues rolling Reflex until he succeeds.

The attack can NOT have an off-hand weapon or shield equipped, however two-handed weapons do qualify for this maneuver. This attack is treated as if the character is attacking with an off-hand weapon. Therefore the character would be affected by penalties and Two-Weapon Fighting feats as normal. However it does NOT qualify as an off-hand weapon for Duelist feats (IE Precise Strike).

[Aspect of Sorrow]

Interesting, though you're fighting with what amounts to cloth versus sharp stabby bits designed to tear through thicker material.

[Ambaryerno]

Interesting, though you're fighting with what amounts to cloth versus sharp stabby bits designed to tear through thicker material.

Thus the idea that the cloak would be used to Entangle rather than inflicting damage. Also keep in mind that just because a sword was sharp doesn't mean it would instantly slice through anything on contact (see also: half-swording).

[Aspect of Sorrow]

We see a lot of cloaks being ripped apart by wooden sticks in the SCA, let alone the real steel.

If this is applied, the properties of the cloak should be negated during the entanglement / removed from the slot.

[metaquad4]

Don't forget, two things about this whole cloak ripping thing:

1) We are obeying the rules present in the annals of fantasy, rather than a medieval fighting simulator.

2) Most (really, all. Who wears a cloak with nothing on it, except in none-combat situations.) of our cloaks are enchanted. They are hardy, and don't really tear unless the author (player) desires them to. Same as with a lot of cloaks presented in many forms narration, really!

2a) We could factor those enchantments into the DC. Add +1 DC for every piece of deflection AC provided by the cloak, if that is possible.

[Hoihe]

Cloaks ripping?

Let me introduce:

http://hroarr.com/brief-notes-on-using- ... he-rapier/

http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:Sword_and_Cloak

It is very much a real and tested fighting style, especially versus swords who lose a lot of cutting power when cutting something with a lot of give.

[Aspect of Sorrow]

The fault I have so far with this is entangle.

If you want to inflict a loss of AB to the target (Interposing), that's a much more reasonable effect.

[Ambaryerno]

We see a lot of cloaks being ripped apart by wooden sticks in the SCA, let alone the real steel.

If this is applied, the properties of the cloak should be negated during the entanglement / removed from the slot.

What are the SCA cloaks made of? Most garb used by those kinds of groups isn't historical in its construction, and my experience is that period techniques often have superior durability to the off-the-shelf fabrics most garb is made from, as stuff nowadays is made to be cheap and replaceable.

And as metaquad points out, it could easily be said that whatever enchantment exists on the cloak helps protect it, especially if the Deflection AC bonuses, etc. are factored in.

I can agree with negating the cloak properties during an entanglement, though, since you're technically no longer wearing it AS a cloak.

Another option could be to make this a class feat for Swash, Duelist, Dread Pirate, or other classes thematically built around light weapons such as the rapier, rather than a general feat, since that's what cloak fighting was historically used with. The opposing weapon type could also affect the DC. Another alternative to having it modified by TWF line, would be to have a specialized "Improved Cloak Fighting" which negates the penalties, increases the DC, etc.

[metaquad4]

Entangle seems fine to be. Maybe as long as both parties are entangled. The DC would keep pulsing, and when it is made both parties are released. If the character who is engaging removes the cloak, it could remove the entangle on both parties prematurely, too.

[Ambaryerno]

The fault I have so far with this is entangle.

If you want to inflict a loss of AB to the target (Interposing), that's a much more reasonable effect.

I used Entangle because that's part of how it's actually used, by tying up the opponent or the opponent's weapon.

Although you could do it as a normal failure leads to loss of AB, but missing by 10 or more is Entangle. Critical failure is always Entangling.

[Aspect of Sorrow]

How do you envision entangling a monk, an autostill wizard holding nothing in either hand?

[metaquad4]

Wrapping the cloak around a part of their body, whipping it around them.

[Aspect of Sorrow]

Romantic. Freedom of movement naturally to negate, yes?

[metaquad4]

Yeah. It is an entangle effect, after all.

[Aspect of Sorrow]

Please suggest the use of escape artist skill to this as well, how it fits in the formula.