Cleaving and Multiple Attacks

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1

How does cleaving interact with characters or monsters that have multiple attacks? If a dragon attacks with its three attacks and kills three combatants, will it get three sets of cleave attacks or just one? Likewise, if the mage casts a haste spell on the fighter will this double their normal cleave attacks?

2

Whenever a combatant kills or incapacitates an opponent with a melee or missile attack, he may immediately make another attack throw against another opponent within 5’ of the target he has just dropped. The additional attack throw must be with the same weapon as the attack that killed the previous opponent. Monsters, fighters, and other characters that use the fighter attack throw progression may make a maximum number of cleave attacks per round equal to their Hit Dice
EXAMPLE: A 6 HD dragon is attacking.

  1. It attacks with its first claw. It kills its target.
  2. It cleaves with its first claw, and misses. (# Cleaves: 1)
  3. It now attacks with its second claw. It kills its target.
  4. It cleaves with the second claw. It kills another target. (# Cleaves: 2)
  5. It cleaves with the second claw again, and kills another target. (# Cleaves: 3)
  6. It cleaves with the second claw again. It wounds the target. (# Cleaves: 4).
  7. It attacks with its bite. It kills its wounded target.
  8. It cleaves with its bite. It kills the target. (# Cleaves: 5)
  9. It cleaves with its bite. It kills the target. (# Cleaves: 6)
  10. The dragon cannot cleave again, because it has 6HD and has cleaved 6 times.
    Explanation: You cleave with whatever attack you just dealt a killing blow with. Your total number of cleaves is limited to your Hit Dice, regardless of your attack routine.
    EXAMPLE: A 4HD hasted fighter with 2 attacks per round is attacking.
  11. The fighter attacks. He hits and kills his target.
  12. The fighter cleaves. He hits and kills his target. (# Cleaves: 1)
  13. The fighter cleaves. He wounds his target. (# Cleaves: 2)
  14. The fighter attacks with his hasted attack. He kills his wounded target.
  15. The fighter cleaves off his hasted attack. He kills his target. (# Cleaves: 3)
  16. The fighter cleaves off his cleave. He kills his target. (# Cleaves: 4)
  17. The fighter cannot keep cleaving because he has cleaved 4 times and he is 4 HD.
3

Does paralyzing or otherwise incapacitating count as a “killing blow”?

4

Yes.

5

Sweet baby jesus, ghouls are horrible.

6

Yeah, they are nasty.