Order of the Stick

Dirt · 2009-01-01T23:12:38.000Z

Sometimes I wonder if Burlew’s illness isn’t something we English majors called “writer’s block.”

Lizard_King · 2009-01-02T02:01:14.000Z

Dirt:

Sometimes I wonder if Burlew’s illness isn’t something we English majors called “writer’s block.”

You’re an English major?

Mike_O_Malley · 2009-01-02T08:11:31.000Z

The irony of Dirt’s major has serious potential, but let’s get the OOTS out of the way first:
619!

Guido_Jones · 2009-01-02T08:14:37.000Z

Mike O'Malley:

The irony of Dirt’s major has serious potential, but let’s get the OOTS out of the way first:
619!

Bah, Sebmojo already posted that one.

Mike_O_Malley · 2009-01-02T08:16:59.000Z

ARGHHHHH

noun · 2009-01-02T08:28:11.000Z

He has a real aversion to ending subplots, doesn’t he.

Dean · 2009-01-02T11:08:23.000Z

Mike Jamieson:

Would Belkar flanking actually provide any benefits for Hailey? Presumably, she still can’t sneak-attack the guild leader, because he is a significantly higher-level rogue.

Yes. Anytime an enemy is flanked or otherwise denied their Dex bonus to armor (flat footed), they are open to sneak attack. That’s why thieve’s guilds attack in packs to flank.

And a high-level rogue (Haley) getting their sneak attack is the difference between about 2d8 +12 damage to 2d8 +12 +14d6 damage (assuming both arrows hit and she’s within 30’).

That’s 3.5, not 4.0.

Sebmojo · 2009-01-02T13:04:42.000Z

noun:

He has a real aversion to ending subplots, doesn’t he.

Well, no. He ends them when he wants to end them.

MikeJ · 2009-01-02T13:56:43.000Z

Dean:

Yes. Anytime an enemy is flanked or otherwise denied their Dex bonus to armor (flat footed), they are open to sneak attack. That’s why thieve’s guilds attack in packs to flank.

Yes, but since her target is a higher-level rogue with Improved Uncanny Dodge, she can’t sneak attack him just because of the flank. So I guess maybe she gets some bonus for flanking, but for the most part it would have been the same if Belkar was standing on the same side.

On the other hand, since her target is now frozen, presumably she does get to sneak attack, if she ever gets around to shooting.

Rimbo · 2009-01-02T13:57:32.000Z

so basically in about 200 more strips this should be mostly tied back together

Rimbo · 2009-01-02T13:58:26.000Z

Mike Jamieson:

Yes, but since her target is a higher-level rogue with Improved Uncanny Dodge, she can’t sneak attack him just because of the flank. So I guess maybe she gets some bonus for flanking, but for the most part it would have been the same if Belkar was standing on the same side.

On the other hand, since her target is now frozen, presumably she does get to sneak attack, if she ever gets around to shooting.

until of course they come up with “even more improved uncanny dodge” which allows you to dodge even when frozen, petrified, or otherwise held into place

Dean · 2009-01-02T14:28:36.000Z

Mike Jamieson:

Yes, but since her target is a higher-level rogue with Improved Uncanny Dodge, she can’t sneak attack him just because of the flank. So I guess maybe she gets some bonus for flanking, but for the most part it would have been the same if Belkar was standing on the same side.

On the other hand, since her target is now frozen, presumably she does get to sneak attack, if she ever gets around to shooting.

Who says he’s a higher level rogue? She’s been out adventuring and he’s been collecting NPC levels to keep even with her.

MikeJ · 2009-01-02T14:37:09.000Z

Dean:

Who says he’s a higher level rogue? She’s been out adventuring and he’s been collecting NPC levels to keep even with her.

Because Hailey has Improved Uncanny Dodge and it can only be overcome by a character that has 4 more Rogue levels than her. In 609, Bozzok gets a sneak attack due to flanking on Hailey, so he is a significantly higher-level Rogue than she is.

Sebmojo · 2009-01-02T14:38:36.000Z

Dean:

Who says he’s a higher level rogue? She’s been out adventuring and he’s been collecting NPC levels to keep even with her.

This.

It’s Crystal who gets the free NPC levels, as a PC nemesis.

Dean · 2009-01-02T18:40:29.000Z

I stand corrected.

Sebmojo · 2009-01-07T20:10:51.000Z

‘Returned my mojo to the upright locked position’

Jamie_Madigan · 2009-01-07T20:45:25.000Z

Geez, that’s a lot of text.

Rimbo · 2009-01-07T22:01:02.000Z

“About an 8, really”

Sarkus · 2009-01-09T01:08:10.000Z

I’ll admit it. I don’t understand the ending.

Aeon221 · 2009-01-09T03:55:10.000Z

Sarkus:

I’ll admit it. I don’t understand the ending.

You don’t understand why people would run screaming from a smile like that from a character that has never ever even once considered the possibility of a solution outside of mass slaughter?