Pouncing (Melee Weapon Magic Property)
Pouncing (Melee Weapon Magic Property)
The longer the wielder of a pouncing weapon studies a target, the more effective their strike. As a swift action, or as part of a move action, a character wielding a pouncing weapon can command it to study a creature within 60 feet. This ability can be used as part of the movement portion of a Charge attack, as well. The wielder must have line of effect and line of sight to that target at some point during the movement, or from the space where they expend the swift action.
When the wielder attacks the studied creature, on a successful hit, the pouncing weapon deals +2d6 points of bonus damage per swift action or study made during move action, up to a number of bonus dice equal to the pouncing weapon's total enhancement bonus (+8 to +18 dice per strike, if enough swift actions are spent). This bonus damage is precision damage, of the same type as inflicted by the base weapon, and only applies to successful hits against that creature.
If used out of combat, the wielder must command the weapon to study a target that is unaware of them. Due to the stealthy nature of the magics imbued in the weapon, it grants the wielder a +2 competence bonus to Stealth checks while wielded. For each minute it studies an unaware foe, it gains a bonus +2d6 as above. The wielder may combine out-of-combat study with in-combat study until the maximum dice are reached.
If the wielder attacks a creature other than the studied creature, commands the weapon to study a different creature, or ends their turn more than 60 feet from the studied creature, the weapon loses all bonus damage dice against that studied creature.
- Creation: Creator (Feat), Bailiwick Check (DC 37), a pale remnant (tier 2), and an item symbolic of the enchantment.