starfinder sunder combat maneuver Break Stuff, Be a Boss!

Starfinder sunder combat maneuver – Alright, space cowboys and cyber-samurai, let’s talk about the
-starfinder sunder combat maneuver*! Forget fancy lasers and gravity guns for a second; sometimes, you just gotta smash things. Sunder is your ticket to being a galactic demolition expert, a destroyer of droids, and a general pain in the, well, you know. We’re diving deep into the art of breaking weapons, armor, and anything else that gets in your way.

Prepare to learn how to turn a pristine starship into a pile of space scrap, one satisfying
-CRACK* at a time!

This isn’t just about swinging a crowbar (though that helps!). We’ll cover the nitty-gritty: how to sunder, who to sunder, and why you
-should* sunder. Get ready to learn the secrets of turning your enemies’ fancy gear into useless junk, all while looking incredibly cool doing it. Think of it as a cosmic spring cleaning, but with more explosions and fewer dust bunnies.

Overview of the Sunder Combat Maneuver in Starfinder

The Sunder combat maneuver in Starfinder allows characters to target and potentially destroy an opponent’s held item, weapon, or piece of equipment. This can be a crucial tactic in combat, disarming foes, crippling their offensive capabilities, or simply denying them the use of valuable tools. Understanding the mechanics of Sunder is vital for any player looking to control the battlefield and gain an edge in a fight.

Basic Mechanics of Sunder

Sunder is a combat maneuver used to damage an object held or worn by a creature. Success can result in the item being damaged, destroyed, or even knocked from the target’s grasp. This offers tactical advantages, such as preventing a foe from using a powerful weapon or disabling a piece of protective gear. The Sunder maneuver adds another layer of strategic depth to combat, allowing players to focus on objectives beyond just dealing direct damage.

Definition of Sunder

Sunder: A combat maneuver that allows a character to attempt to damage or destroy an item held or worn by an opponent.

Actions Required to Initiate a Sunder Attempt

Initiating a Sunder attempt involves a series of specific actions and calculations. The attacker must make a melee attack roll against the target’s Armor Class (AC), just like a regular attack. Instead of dealing damage to the target, the attacker is trying to damage the object.To determine the result, compare the attack roll to the target item’s AC. The item’s AC is often determined by its hardness and its item level, but sometimes other factors, such as the material of the object, will influence its AC.If the attack roll meets or exceeds the target item’s AC, the item is struck.

The damage dealt is calculated in a similar manner to dealing damage to a creature, using the weapon’s damage dice. However, instead of applying the damage to the target’s hit points, the damage is applied to the item’s hit points. The object’s hit points and hardness determine how much damage it can withstand.* Attack Roll: A melee attack roll is made against the item, similar to a standard attack.

Target Item’s Armor Class (AC)

The item’s AC is used to determine if the attack hits.

Damage Calculation

If the attack hits, damage is dealt to the item, based on the weapon’s damage dice and any applicable modifiers.

Modifiers

Several factors can influence a Sunder attempt:

Strength Modifier

Adds to the attack roll and damage dealt, as with a standard melee attack.

Weapon Specialization

If the attacker has the Weapon Specialization feat for the weapon used, they add their Weapon Specialization damage bonus to the damage dealt.

Feats

Certain feats, such as Improved Sunder, can provide bonuses to the attack roll or damage dealt when attempting to Sunder.

Spells/Abilities

Some spells or abilities might grant bonuses to attack rolls or damage when targeting objects.

Example: A soldier with a longsword attempts to sunder a robot’s weapon. The soldier rolls a 15 on their attack roll, and the weapon’s AC is 12. The attack hits. The longsword deals 1d8+3 slashing damage. The robot’s weapon has 15 hit points and hardness 5. After applying the damage, the weapon has 7 hit points remaining.

Prerequisites and Requirements for Sunder

Sunder, as a combat maneuver in Starfinder, demands specific capabilities and situational awareness to execute successfully. It’s not a simple action; it requires the right training, positioning, and understanding of the battlefield. The following sections delve into the necessary prerequisites and the factors that influence a sunder attempt.

Feats and Abilities

Certain feats and abilities significantly enhance a character’s ability to sunder. These prerequisites provide a mechanical advantage, making the maneuver more reliable and effective.

• Improved Sunder: This feat is a cornerstone for any character looking to specialize in sundering. It removes the attacker’s penalty on the attack roll when sundering, greatly increasing the chances of success. It’s often the first feat taken by those who focus on this tactic.
• Weapon Focus (Specific Weapon): While not directly tied to sundering, this feat improves attack rolls with a specific weapon type. This, in turn, boosts the chance of hitting when attempting to sunder with that weapon.
• Strength Score: A high Strength score is indirectly important. It affects attack rolls, and higher Strength translates to a better chance of hitting an opponent’s item.

Attack Roll Modifiers

The attack roll is the core mechanic of the sunder maneuver. Several modifiers can influence this roll, affecting the outcome of the attempt. Understanding these modifiers is crucial for predicting the success rate.

• Attack Bonus: This is the character’s base attack bonus plus any relevant modifiers, such as Strength bonus (for melee weapons) or Dexterity bonus (for ranged weapons, if applicable). A higher attack bonus means a better chance to hit the target’s item.
• Target’s Armor Class (AC): The target’s AC, specifically the item’s AC, is the primary defense against a sunder attempt. The attack roll must meet or exceed the item’s AC to succeed. This is a critical factor; the higher the AC, the more difficult the sunder.
• Circumstance Modifiers: Various circumstances can affect the attack roll. For example, attacking from a concealed position might grant a penalty to the attacker, while flanking the target might provide a bonus.
• Feat-Based Modifiers: Feats like Improved Sunder can eliminate penalties or provide bonuses to the attack roll, increasing the likelihood of success.

Equipment and Circumstances

The environment and the equipment involved play a significant role in the effectiveness of a sunder attempt.

• Weapon Choice: The weapon used to sunder has a direct impact. A weapon with a higher attack bonus, or a weapon designed for damage (and thus more likely to break an item) can be advantageous.
• Item’s Hardness: Hardness represents an item’s resistance to damage. A sunder attempt deals damage to the item, and the item’s hardness reduces the damage taken. Higher hardness means the item is more resistant.
• Cover: If the item is behind cover, the attacker might face penalties on the attack roll, making the sunder more difficult. For example, if a weapon is behind a force field, that cover would provide an advantage to the object.
• Environmental Conditions: Factors like darkness, difficult terrain, or environmental effects can influence the attack roll. These conditions may cause penalties, making the sunder more challenging.

Targets and Effects of Sunder

The Sunder combat maneuver in Starfinder offers a powerful way to disrupt opponents by targeting their gear and defenses. Understanding the targets and potential outcomes of a successful Sunder is crucial for effective combat strategy. This knowledge allows players to focus their attacks on the most vulnerable aspects of their enemies, gaining a significant advantage in battle.

Targeting Options for Sunder

Sunder is not just about attacking creatures; it’s about targeting the tools they rely on. The maneuver’s versatility makes it effective against a wide array of targets.* Weapons: This includes any item designed for offensive purposes, such as melee weapons (swords, axes, etc.), ranged weapons (laser rifles, plasma cannons, etc.), and even technological implements that can be weaponized.

Sunder can weaken, disable, or even destroy these critical tools.

Armor

Sunder can target armor worn by the target, potentially reducing its effectiveness. This can lead to increased vulnerability to attacks, allowing for more damage to be inflicted.

Shields

Energy shields and physical shields can be targeted. Successfully sundering a shield could lower its capacity or even cause it to fail, leaving the target exposed.

Technological Devices

Targeting technological devices, such as personal computers, medical devices, or environmental suits, can disrupt their functionality. This could range from temporarily disabling the device to causing it to malfunction.

Constructs and Vehicles

Sunder can be used against constructs and vehicles, targeting their weapons, armor, or critical components. This allows for strategic disabling or destruction of powerful enemies.

Held Objects

Any object the target is holding can be a valid target for Sunder, such as a container with valuable items or a piece of equipment.

Potential Effects of a Successful Sunder

A successful Sunder can have a variety of effects, depending on the target and the severity of the damage inflicted. The following table Artikels some of the potential outcomes.

Remember, the specific effects and game mechanics of Sunder are detailed in the Starfinder Core Rulebook.

Feats and Abilities that Interact with Sunder

Sunder, as a combat maneuver in Starfinder, becomes significantly more potent when combined with specific feats and class abilities. These augmentations can improve the likelihood of success, amplify the damage dealt, or provide additional tactical advantages. Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing a character’s effectiveness in combat, especially when focusing on battlefield control and disabling opponents.

Feats that Enhance Sunder

Several feats directly improve the Sunder combat maneuver. These feats often focus on increasing the chances of a successful Sunder attempt or adding secondary effects that hinder the target.

In Starfinder, the sunder combat maneuver focuses on disabling an opponent’s equipment. This tactical approach shares similarities with the complex strategies observed in modern warfare. Specifically, the dynamic and rapid engagements characteristic of air to air combat maneuvers highlight the importance of targeting critical systems. Ultimately, the successful application of sunder in Starfinder, much like in aerial combat, requires precise targeting and decisive action to achieve victory.

• Improved Sunder: This feat is a cornerstone for any character looking to specialize in sundering. It grants a +2 bonus on attack rolls made to sunder an item. This simple bonus significantly increases the odds of successfully damaging or destroying an opponent’s equipment.
• Greater Sunder: Building upon Improved Sunder, this feat provides an additional +2 bonus on attack rolls to sunder, stacking with the bonus from Improved Sunder. Furthermore, it allows the character to make a free attack against the target creature after successfully sundering an item, effectively combining a defensive action with an offensive one.
• Critical Sunder: While not directly affecting the Sunder attempt itself, this feat, when combined with a weapon that has the sunder special property, allows a character to deal critical damage to the item. This means a successful sunder can deal double or triple damage, depending on the weapon, making it much easier to destroy durable items.

Class Abilities that Synergize with Sunder

Certain class abilities offer unique synergies with the Sunder combat maneuver. These abilities often provide bonuses to attack rolls, enhance the effects of a successful Sunder, or offer alternative tactical options after a successful attempt.

• Soldier’s Weapon Specialization: Soldiers often gain access to Weapon Specialization, which adds a bonus to damage rolls with a chosen weapon. This bonus applies to damage dealt when sundering, increasing the amount of damage dealt to the targeted item.
• Technomancer’s Overload: A technomancer might use Overload to enhance their weapon. Overload can add extra damage to a successful Sunder, allowing them to deal additional damage to the item being sundered.
• Envoy’s Expertise: An Envoy could use their expertise to aid their allies, giving them a bonus to their Sunder attempts. This could involve providing a bonus to attack rolls or granting the ability to perform a free action.

Example of Feat Interaction: A level 8 Soldier, wielding a Heavy Longsword with the Sunder special property, possesses both Improved Sunder and Greater Sunder. They attack a Xeno-Armor (hardness 15, HP 40). They roll a 20 on the attack roll to Sunder (attack roll + 8 from Strength and weapon proficiency + 2 from Improved Sunder + 2 from Greater Sunder = 32, exceeding the Xeno-Armor’s hardness).

If the attack roll meets the armor’s hardness, the Soldier deals damage equal to the Heavy Longsword’s damage (2d10) plus Strength modifier (let’s say +4). If the attack roll also meets the Xeno-Armor’s HP, they destroy the armor. If the Soldier also has Critical Sunder, the damage would be doubled (or tripled if the weapon has a x3 critical modifier), potentially destroying the armor with a single, well-placed blow.

Strategies and Tactics for Utilizing Sunder

Sunder, in Starfinder, is a potent combat maneuver that, when employed strategically, can significantly alter the course of a battle. Understanding its strengths, weaknesses, and optimal application is crucial for any player looking to maximize their effectiveness on the battlefield. This section delves into the tactical nuances of Sunder, providing guidance on how to incorporate it into your overall combat strategy.

Incorporating Sunder into a Combat Strategy

Sunder excels at targeting the vulnerabilities of opponents who rely on their equipment. However, it’s not a universally applicable tactic. Its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific circumstances of the encounter.Sunder’s primary strength lies in its ability to disable an opponent’s key offensive or defensive capabilities. By destroying a weapon, a shield, or a piece of armor, you can severely cripple an enemy, potentially turning the tide of battle in your favor.

This is especially true against opponents with powerful but fragile equipment. The weakness of Sunder is its potential ineffectiveness against creatures that rely on natural weapons, abilities, or those who possess multiple backups. Additionally, the Sunder maneuver requires a successful attack roll, which means it can be resisted. It also requires the player to be within melee range, which can expose the character to counterattacks.

Tactical Advice on Prioritizing Sunder

Knowing when to prioritize Sunder over other combat options is key to maximizing its effectiveness. The decision should be based on a careful assessment of the opponent and the current combat situation.Consider these factors:

• Enemy Equipment: If the enemy relies heavily on their equipment (e.g., a soldier with a high-powered weapon, a heavily armored opponent), Sunder is a viable option. If the enemy uses natural weapons or has readily available replacements, it is less useful.
• Current Threat Level: If a specific enemy poses an immediate and significant threat (e.g., a heavily armed sniper, a melee combatant with a powerful weapon), Sunder may be a higher priority than dealing direct damage, especially if disabling the equipment reduces the threat.
• Available Actions: Consider your other available actions. If you have multiple attacks, you can use one to Sunder and the others to deal damage. However, if you are limited to a single action, you might want to consider whether dealing direct damage is a better use of that action.
• Allies’ Actions: Coordinate with your allies. If your allies are focusing on dealing damage, you can focus on Sunder to disrupt the enemy’s capabilities and provide support.

Common Combat Situations Where Sunder is Advantageous

Sunder shines in specific combat scenarios where its strengths can be fully utilized.

• Against Heavily Armored Opponents: Sundering an opponent’s armor can significantly reduce their AC, making them more vulnerable to subsequent attacks. For example, imagine a battle against a heavily armored Kasatha. Successfully sundering their armor will make them much easier to hit.
• Against Opponents with Powerful Weapons: Disabling a powerful weapon can dramatically reduce an enemy’s offensive capabilities. Consider a scenario where a character is facing a soldier wielding a plasma rifle. Destroying the weapon immediately decreases the threat posed by the enemy.
• Against Enemies with Special Equipment: If an enemy relies on a specific piece of equipment for their abilities (e.g., a tech user with a key device), sundering that equipment can effectively shut down their special abilities. An example is a battle against a creature using a force field generator; sundering it removes the shield.
• When Facing Multiple Enemies: Sunder can be particularly useful in situations where you are outnumbered. Disabling a key enemy’s equipment can reduce the overall threat level, allowing your team to focus on other opponents.
• When Facing Enemies with Limited Resources: If an enemy has limited resources, such as ammunition or a finite supply of healing items, sundering their equipment can force them to use those resources inefficiently, or even force them to flee the battle.

Defenses Against Sunder: Starfinder Sunder Combat Maneuver

Defending against the sunder combat maneuver is crucial for survival in the harsh environments of Starfinder. Understanding the various defensive measures available can mean the difference between maintaining your equipment and losing it to a skilled opponent. These defenses range from inherent physical resilience to specialized abilities designed to protect your gear and yourself.

Armor and Shields

Armor and shields offer the first line of defense against sunder attempts, directly impacting the attacker’s chance of success.The following points detail the role of armor and shields in defending against sunder:

• Armor Class (AC): The attacker rolls against your AC to determine if the sunder attempt hits. A higher AC makes it more difficult for the attacker to succeed. Armor provides a base AC bonus, and enhancements can further increase this value.
• Shields: Shields function similarly to armor, providing a bonus to AC. They also have a limited amount of hit points, and a successful sunder attempt can target the shield directly.
• Hardness: Armor and shields possess hardness, which reduces the damage dealt by the sunder attempt. The higher the hardness, the less damage the armor or shield takes.
• Special Materials: Some armor and shields are crafted from special materials, granting additional bonuses or resistances. For example, armor made of hardened crystal might have a higher hardness value.

Evasion and Reflex Saves

Evasion and Reflex saves are indirectly relevant to defending against sunder, particularly when considering the effects of a successful sunder attempt that might trigger area-of-effect attacks or cause other harmful conditions.Here’s how evasion and Reflex saves can help:

• Evasion: Certain abilities or classes grant evasion, which allows a character to avoid damage from attacks that normally deal half damage on a successful Reflex save.
• Reflex Saves: A successful Reflex save can negate or reduce the effects of attacks or abilities that might be triggered by a sunder attempt, such as a collapsing structure or a weapon exploding.

Abilities and Feats

Several abilities and feats directly enhance a character’s ability to resist sunder attempts or mitigate their effects. These are often tailored to specific character builds and combat styles.Here’s an overview of relevant abilities and feats:

• Defensive Abilities: Some classes, like the soldier, possess abilities that grant bonuses to AC or saves, making them more resistant to sunder attempts. For example, a soldier might have a defensive stance that increases their AC.
• Feats like “Ironhide”: Feats that increase a character’s physical resilience, such as Ironhide, indirectly improve their ability to withstand sunder attempts by increasing their overall durability.
• Weapon Specialization: While not a direct defense against sunder, weapon specialization can make it more challenging for an opponent to sunder your weapon by increasing the damage you deal. This discourages opponents from attempting the maneuver.

Magical Protection

Magic offers potent defenses against sunder, often providing a variety of protective effects.Here’s how magic can be utilized to defend against sunder:

• Spells: Spells like
  -Shield* provide a direct bonus to AC, making it harder for an opponent to hit.
  -Mage Armor* enhances a character’s AC as well.
• Magic Items: Magical armor and shields often have enhancements that further increase their AC bonus or provide other defensive benefits, such as resistances to certain types of damage.
• Auras and Buffs: Spells and abilities that create auras or provide buffs can offer ongoing protection. For instance, a cleric might cast
  -Bless* to improve the saving throws of allies.

Example Illustration

Imagine a ysoki operative named “Squeaky” facing a kasatha warrior attempting to sunder her advanced sniper rifle. The kasatha, a master of melee combat, swings their heavy weapon, aiming for the rifle’s intricate components. Squeaky, anticipating the attack, utilizes a combination of defenses. Her armored suit, enhanced with a crystalline layer, provides a high AC, making the kasatha’s initial attack roll fall short.

Visual Description:The scene unfolds in a dimly lit, metallic corridor of a derelict starship. Squeaky, a small, agile ysoki, stands her ground, her features illuminated by the green glow of her targeting system. She wears sleek, black armor with shimmering crystalline plates on the chest and shoulders. The kasatha, a tall, four-armed humanoid, is clad in bulky, metallic armor, their expression grim.

One of their arms wields a massive, energy-infused blade, poised to strike. The air crackles with energy as the kasatha attacks.
The kasatha’s blade slams against Squeaky’s rifle. However, the advanced materials and magical enhancements of the weapon, combined with the protective aura from a nearby spellcaster, provide additional resistance. The kasatha’s roll barely surpasses Squeaky’s AC.

The damage, though significant, is reduced by the rifle’s hardness and the crystalline armor. Squeaky’s quick reflexes, aided by her operative training, allow her to roll out of the way, minimizing the impact. The rifle, though dented, remains intact. The crystalline armor absorbs some of the energy, glowing momentarily before fading. The ysoki operative, with a determined glint in her eyes, quickly repositions, ready to retaliate.

Sunder and Specific Equipment

Sunder is a powerful combat maneuver in Starfinder that can dramatically alter the battlefield by disabling or destroying an opponent’s equipment. Understanding how Sunder interacts with various weapons, armor, and materials is crucial for both players and GMs. This section delves into the specifics of how Sunder impacts equipment, providing practical examples and tactical considerations.

Weapon Vulnerability to Sunder, Starfinder sunder combat maneuver

The effectiveness of Sunder against weapons depends on several factors, including the weapon’s type, construction, and the attacker’s strength. Sunder is most effective against weapons with a high hardness and significant hit points, as it directly targets the weapon’s durability.

The Starfinder Sunder combat maneuver, designed to disable enemy defenses, shares a strategic parallel with the complex tactical considerations in aerial warfare. Analyzing the effectiveness of the Sunder action is comparable to understanding how fighter pilots employ aircraft combat maneuvers to outmaneuver opponents and gain a tactical advantage. Both scenarios involve calculated risks and precise execution to achieve a specific objective, whether it is disabling a starship’s shields or crippling a spacecraft’s weaponry, thereby impacting the outcome.

• Melee Weapons: Melee weapons are often the primary targets of Sunder. Their close proximity to the combatant makes them vulnerable. A successful Sunder attempt can render a melee weapon useless, either breaking it entirely or significantly reducing its effectiveness.
• Ranged Weapons: Ranged weapons are also susceptible, although the range can make it harder to target them. Sundering a ranged weapon can disable its firing mechanism or damage its components, making it inoperable.
• Weapon Qualities: Some weapon qualities, such as Reinforced or Unbreakable, provide resistance to Sunder, making the weapon more difficult to damage.

Armor Vulnerability to Sunder

Armor, designed to protect the wearer, is another prime target for Sunder. The goal is to weaken or eliminate the protective qualities of the armor, exposing the wearer to harm.

• Armor Hardness and Hit Points: Like weapons, armor’s resistance to Sunder is determined by its hardness and hit points. Heavier armor typically has higher values, making it more resistant to damage.
• Targeting Specific Armor Sections: While a general Sunder attempt might target the whole armor, a character could choose to focus on a specific area, like a helmet or a limb’s plating, to disable it.
• Armor Qualities: Certain armor qualities, like Bulwark or Reactive, provide additional protection against Sunder attempts.

Material Impact on Sunder Resistance

The material from which an item is constructed plays a critical role in its vulnerability to Sunder. Some materials are inherently more durable than others, affecting the hardness and hit points of the item.

• Steel: Steel is a common and relatively durable material, offering moderate resistance to Sunder.
• Advanced Materials: Materials like solarian crystals, adamantine, or certain alloys are significantly more resistant to Sunder due to their higher hardness and hit points.
• Exotic Materials: Some exotic materials, such as dark matter or vesk bone, may have unique properties that affect their resistance to Sunder, sometimes granting them special defenses or vulnerabilities.

Example: Sundering a Plasma Rifle

Consider a scenario where a character attempts to Sunder a standard plasma rifle wielded by an enemy soldier.

The Attack: The attacker, a vesk soldier, attempts to Sunder the plasma rifle. The GM determines the attacker’s Strength modifier and applies it to the Sunder combat maneuver check, along with any relevant feats or abilities.

The Resistance: The plasma rifle has a certain hardness and hit points, which the GM uses to determine the success of the Sunder attempt. If the attacker’s check exceeds the target’s hardness, the attack deals damage to the weapon.

The Damage: The attacker rolls damage, and the plasma rifle loses hit points. If the damage reduces the rifle’s hit points to 0, it is destroyed. Even if the rifle is not destroyed, it could suffer a reduction in its weapon’s performance, such as reduced range, a malfunction, or a reduction in damage output.

The Consequences: A destroyed plasma rifle leaves the enemy soldier without a ranged weapon. If the rifle is merely damaged, the soldier might need to spend actions to repair it, further impacting their combat effectiveness.

Ultimate Conclusion

So there you have it, folks! The
-starfinder sunder combat maneuver*, your key to becoming a master of mayhem and a connoisseur of carnage. Whether you’re a seasoned space marine or a rookie with a wrench, understanding sunder is crucial for survival (and style points) in the Starfinder universe. Go forth, break things, and remember: a well-placed sunder can change the tide of battle, and probably make your GM’s life a living hell.

Now go forth and SUNDER!

User Queries

Can I Sunder a Starship?

Technically, yes, but good luck! Starships are HUGE and have tons of hit points. You’d need a serious investment in sunder-boosting feats and probably a really, really big hammer. It’s more of a “boss fight” kind of maneuver.

Does Sunder Work on Magic Items?

Yep! Magic items are still items. However, some may have special properties that make them harder to sunder, or have effects if they are. Check with your GM for specifics.

What if I Miss My Sunder Attack?

You miss! Just like a normal attack. You might get a retaliatory smack in the face. Try again next round!

Is Sunder Considered a “Weapon Attack”?

Generally, no. It’s a combat maneuver, not a weapon attack, unless a specific feat or ability says otherwise.

Can I Sunder Multiple Items at Once?

Nope. Each sunder attempt targets one item. Gotta pick your targets carefully!

Charles Pham

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I am Charles Pham, a passionate individual with a diverse range of interests and experiences. Throughout my life, I have pursued my curiosity and embraced various opportunities that have shaped me into the person I am today.