Pressure Point Attack

 
Prerequisite(s): Stunning Fistor Stunning Attack
 
Benefit: Each pressure point attack counts against the character’s daily allotment of stunning attacks. The character must declare the use of a pressure point attack and its target before rolling to attack (this, a failed attack wastes that use). When attempting a pressure point strike, the character receives a circumstance penalty to his attack roll, the value of which depends upon the location struck. If the attack is successful, in addition to suffering normal damage, the victim must succeed at a Fortitude save versus DV 10 + ½ the character’s level + Wisdom modifier of suffer appropriate effect listed below. He is not, however stunned. A character can attempt only one pressure point attack a round. Pressure point attacks can only be attempted with unarmed attacks and may not be attempted against any opponent who is immune to stunning attacks. Monks, with their mastery of chi energy, can freely use pressure point attacks even against armored opponents, but non-monks can only affect those in light armor or no armor, or those with a natural armor bonus of +4 or less. The effects of a pressure point attack can be negated by a successful Heal check against DC15.
 
Pressure Point Attack to the Arm: With a quick strike to the wrist, elbow joint or vulnerable upper tendons of the biceps, the character can render a victim’s arm temporarily useless. The victim immediately drops any items held by the affected arm and that arm is rendered useless, negating shield bonuses of that is the victim’s shield arm. A victim with a useless arm suffers –4 circumstance penalty to all Strength or Strength-based skill checks and, if it is his weapon arm that is affected he is forced to fight with his off hand, suffering the appropriate penalty. Under normal circumstances, a spell caster who has only lost the use of one arm is still able to cast spells require somatic components, so only if pressure point attacks are used successfully on both arms does he lose the ability to cast those spells. When attempting a pressure point attack to the arm, the character suffers a –4 circumstance penalty to his attack roll. The effects of a pressure pint attack to that arm last for 1d4 rounds.
 
Pressure Point Attack to the Leg: Though most areas of the leg are protected by thick muscle, a swift kick to the knee or a single blow to the ankle by a character’s iron hard shin can hobble an opponent. An opponent who suffers a pressure point attack to the knee suffers a 50% penalty to his movement and –4 circumstance penalty to all Balance, Climb, Jump, Swim and Tumble checks. An opponent who is hobbled in both legs suffers a 75% decrease in movements, a -6 circumstance penalty to the listed skill checks and a –2 penalty to AC, as he is no longer mobile enough to protect himself adequately. A mounted opponent does not suffer the listed penalties so long as he remains on his mount. He does, however suffer penalty to Ride checks of he loses the use of one leg, -6 for both, as he is no longer able to use his legs to guide his steed. When attempting a pressure point attack to the leg, the character suffers a -4 circumstance penalty to his attack roll. The effects of a pressure point attack last for 1d4 rounds.
 
Pressure Point Attack to the Groin or Kidney: A swift, savage low blow to the groin or kidneys causes the victim to feel excruciating nausea. A victim affected by a pressure point attack to the groin or a kidneys is considered staggered for 2 rounds, so he is restricted to partial actions. Further, he suffers a –2 penalty to attack rolls and all skill check during those two rounds and for 1d4 rounds after that. Additional pressure point attacks to the groin or kidneys have no cumulative effect. When attempting a pressure point attack to the groin or kidneys, the character suffers a –4 circumstance to his attack roll, as most trained combatants protect these two especially vulnerable areas instinctively.
 
Pressure Point Attack to the Throat: The throat s among the most vulnerable points of the body. A single, sharp blow can seal the windpipe, making it difficult for an opponent to draw breath. A victim affected by a pressure point attack to the throat cannon speak even so much as a whisper and he cannon cast a spell with a verbal component, unless that spell Is enhanced via the Silent Spell feat, nor may he activate any item that requires a command word. Finally, he is forbidden from using spell-like or supernatural abilities involving a sonic component or effect. When attempting a pressure point attack to the throat, the character suffers a –6 circumstance penalty to the attack roll, as the throat is a small, well protected target, The effects of a pressure point attack to the throat last 1d4 rounds.
 
Pressure Point Attack to the Eyes: With a quick knuckle or a finger thrust to the eyes, a character can render his opponent partially blind for a short time, just long enough for a lethal finishing technique. A victim affected by a pressure point attack to the eyes is rendered nearly blinks, suffering a 30% miss chance in combat (opponent gains ¾ effective concealment), losing any Dexterity bonus to AS and granting opponents a +2 bonus to hit him in combat. When attempting a pressure point attack to the eyes, the character suffers a –8 circumstance penalty to the attack roll, as the eye is both a small and instinctively protected target. The effects of a strike to the eyes last for 1d4 rounds.
 
Pressure Point Attack to the Ear: A chopping blow to the soft spot behind the ear can render an opponent deaf for a brief period of time. A victim affected by a pressure point strike to the eat is deafened, suffering a 25% loss of movement rate and granting opponents a +2 bonus to strike him due to loss of equilibrium. Further, a spell caster suffers a 20% chance to miscast and lose any spell with a verbal component. When attempting a pressure point attack to the ear, the character suffers a –6 circumstance penalty to the attack roll, as the ear is a difficult target to reach effectively. The effects of a strike to the ear last for 1d4 rounds.
 
Source: Quintessential Monk