Cleave Targets

Discussion in 'The Temple of Elemental Evil' started by MrPhil, Jan 20, 2025 at 10:32 AM.

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  1. MrPhil

    MrPhil Member

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    My cleric has great cleavage, however she's often whacking a completely different target to the one I would have chosen.
    I assume there's no way to pick a cleave target actively, but what I'd like to know is what goes into how she chooses the victim and if its possible to influence which way the violence goes by a) changing the monster that I can choose using the standard attack or b) delaying on the initiative bar

    Real life example - cleric is beset by 5 kobolds and a kobold sergeant.
    How do I ensure that a cleave attack will not be directed at the boss kobold if my goal is to kill all the little kobolds first?

    Thanks
    Phil
     
  2. Pygmy

    Pygmy Established Member Supporter

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    I assume you mean Cleave rather than great cleave unless you are tackling Welkwood Bog with a 6th level cleric??

    You shouldn't be able to choose the target of your cleave, BUT if cleave is working properly PROVIDED you don't attack the kobolds adjacent to the sergeant your cleave attempt shouldn't be on the sergeant (basic physics)

    However I have a feeling you are attacking the kobolds on the opposite side of you from the sergeant to cut down flanking; in which case Cleave is not working properly
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
  3. zertzax

    zertzax Established Member

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    I will admit there are many times I wish the game allowed us to choose a cleave target. In a table/real life game the attacker can decide who to cleave, no?
     
  4. Pygmy

    Pygmy Established Member Supporter

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    Imagine a 20 Str 6'10" Half Orc barbarian with a 2 handed sword with the Cleave and Great Cleave feats surrounded by half a dozen kobolds
    You need to forget about the to hit rolls associated with the cleave and great cleave attempts as they are clouding your appreciation that the half-orc is making ONLY ONE swing and possibly felling the other 5 kobolds ON THE FOLLOW THROUGH.
     
  5. Endarire

    Endarire Ronald Rynnwrathi

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    In tabletop, a Cleaver can choose its next legal target in range.
     
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  6. zertzax

    zertzax Established Member

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    A spiked chain user also clears a pass through those pesky critters.
     
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