Basic Fantasy RPG Forums

Guys.. I am bringing some of my other characters into my campaign as NPCs. One is a level 16 Paladin and his weapon is a Vorpal Sword.

Here are the stats
Vorpal Sword (lightbringer)
+3 to hit/dmg (per AD&D DM guide)

I was trying to puzzle out the Vorpal ability though and was hoping for some thoughts

Idea 1: Natural 20 decapitates (instant kill)
Creature can save vs (death ray or Dragon Breath) to save for normal damage
--this one is more old school

Idea 2: natural 20 chance of Critical Hit
Roll another D20 to confirm the critical
Success = Death, Failure=Normal Damage
--This is more D20/3.5

I'd go with the first one - Lop on 20.

What do you think of the saves? Dragon breath conjures more of a 'reflex' type save to me, so more of a last second dodge to save your neck (literally). Death Ray seems more like a constitution save (shock to the system) but if your head is severed, your kinda dead period. Thanx for the feedback Rat.

Death Ray seems to be the go-to for "Near Miss" saves as well (Web, splash damage ... possibly wrestling holds, though there are other elements in play there). Dragon Breath - as a concept - seems more about area effect energy. Sheltering from or outrunning the fireball, that sort of thing.

The other way to look at it would be from a probability standpoint: how likely do you want it to be that someone saves? DR gives a decent (but not terrific) chance at getting by with a light nick. Or if it's off the top (ha!) of their hp, a nice haircut. DBreath is one of the hardest saves to land.

On the fluff side, let Vorpal weapons do decapitations whenever they land a killing blow (unless the user is specifically NOT trying to do that). It adds to the mystique.

I use the natural 20 to activate the vorpal ability in the sword in one of my games. A player has a vorpal sword but it only works against plants. She calls it her sword of pruning.

Thanks for the feedback all.. and to you I say 'Snicker Snack'