======Killing Blows======
There are many ways in our game to render an opponent completely helpless. These include using effects like [[Prison]] and [[Web]] or simply attacking them until they fall unconscious from damage. Once a person has been incapacitated it is quite easy to kill them; this is represented by a Killing Blow.

To properly apply a [[Killing Blow]], you must stand next to the target, place your Weapon on their torso, and recite “Killing blow one; killing blow two; killing blow three.” This should be done in a normal speaking style and should take at least three seconds. If anyone makes contact with your Weapon during the count or takes an action which causes you to expend a Skill, then the [[Killing Blow]] is interrupted and fails to kill the intended target. Some effects will also prevent the [[Killing Blow]] from succeeding, such as forcing you to remove your Weapon from the target during the [[Killing Blow]] with a [[Repel]] spell, as it requires you to move backwards away from your target.

A Killing Blow is considered a combat action and all applicable safety rules must be followed.

In some cases, a [[Killing Blow]] will cause certain effects to take place automatically. If more than one person attempts to give a [[Killing Blow]], the person who starts first who will count as applying the [[Killing Blow]]. The second person cannot come along, say the [[Killing Blow]] faster, and then (OOG) claim to be the one who applied it. If you are given a [[Killing Blow]] and are already dead, no response should be given (not even “No Effect”); merely remain silent. The other person must figure out on their own what is happening.

A [[Killing Blow]] must be struck on the torso of the target - an arm or leg is not sufficient. The blow cannot be struck on a moving target; they must be incapacitated, unable to fight back and their body must be at rest.  A Killing Blow can be delivered by anyone, whether they have a Weapon Skill or not.  If not using a Weapon physrep, touches must be appropriate as per normal combat safety and consent rules, such as a hand on the shoulder.

Some creatures are Immune to various types of damage. To be effective, a [[Killing Blow]] must be applied with a Weapon that can harm the creature. For example, if a creature is affected by Silver or Magic Weapons but not Normal Weapons, the Killing Blow must be applied with a Silvered or Magic Weapon to be effective.  When applying a special type of Killing Blow on such a creature, you must state the damage type at the end; for instance: “Killing blow one, killing blow two, killing blow three, Silver.” 

Monsters using [[Claws]] to apply a Killing Blow must always use the Carrier from their claw attacks when doing so.

A Killing Blow cannot be [[Dodge|Dodged]], [[Parry|Parried]], or otherwise avoided through [[Game Abilities]] or spells.  It will bypass all [[Dumb]] defenses (see the [[Defenses]] section for more information) such as [[Weapon Shield]].