Nonlethal, Nonviolent and Other Softies

[Lev]

Ok, the whole concept of nonviolent or nonlethal combat really appeals to me, but the application of it is a bit tricky.

Without using BoED feats or PrC's what's the best way, optimized or not, to go about this? What combinations really work and how can current staples be modified to work within this constraint?

[Yuki Akuma]

As usual, spellcasters win - there are tons of spells that can disable enemies without dealing a single hit point of damage.

Other than that... Rogue with a sap?

[Maryring]

Merciful weapons, a special weapon brand that turns all damage from the weapon into nonlethal damage, while adding an additional 1d6 points of damage.

Nonlethal substitution, which allows you to cast energy (evocation mostly, such as fireball and lightning bolt) spells that deal nonlethal damage.

There are also several spells that can solve a conflict without killing others. Enchantments, Illusions, and a few abjurations since they're good in general at preventing damage.

There is also a feat which allows you to deal nonlethal damage with lethal weapons without taking the usual -4 penalty to attack rolls. If I remember BoED correctly, this allows the Rogue to apply sneak attack even with usually lethal weapons.

[Diarmuid]

Monks are able to deal nonlethal damage with their unarmed attacks without penalties as well.

[AtwasAwamps]

There's a prestige class...Justicar, I believe...in either CD or CW...that does htis very well. You can make all your damage non-lethal, regardless of weapon, you have some non-lethal sneak attack style abilities, and you get bonuses to grapple and hog tie people.

[Darrin]

Without using BoED feats or PrC's what's the best way, optimized or not, to go about this? What combinations really work and how can current staples be modified to work within this constraint?

A creature drops unconscious when it's current HP drops below its current total of nonlethal damage. So generally all you have to do is whack a creature once with a subdual strike (-4 attack penalty without a subdual feat/class ability), then wail on it with real damage until you whittle it down below its nonlethal damage.

[hamishspence]

This can work- unless you're really unlucky and the last blow is a crit.

[Barlen]

Beguiler!

In addition to many of the core non-violent lock down spells (Hold person etc), they get a series of Wrack spells that do specifically non-lethal damage. Being non-lethal really does fit into their theme nicely.

[Coidzor]

Having a pet that has poison and harvesting it to use to damage dexterity, wisdom, or intelligence.

Or just having several such pets using warbeast/handle animal fun.

[Cog]

...a series of Wrack spells that do specifically non-lethal damage.

Close: it's the Whelm line, rather. They're on the Sor/Wiz list as well.