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graeylin
2011-02-03, 10:46 AM
WHat is the duration of a shadow evocation spell used to simulate the darkness spell?

Darkness has a duration. Shadow evocation does not, it seems, until something interacts with it and makes a disbelief save. What if nothing interacted with it? What if everything that did had no reason to disbelieve? Does the shadow evocation last forever if no one interacts? And if someone does disbelieve, does the spell stop, or only stop for them?

Secondly, a PC can lower their own spell resistance, correct? Can they automatically fail on a savings throw, if they wish to? IF they cast shadow evocation/darkness on themselves, can they fail their own disbelief check, and think it's real, and they are covered in shadowy illumination?

Psyren
2011-02-03, 10:57 AM
WHat is the duration of a shadow evocation spell used to simulate the darkness spell?

Darkness has a duration. Shadow evocation does not, it seems, until something interacts with it and makes a disbelief save. What if nothing interacted with it? What if everything that did had no reason to disbelieve? Does the shadow evocation last forever if no one interacts? And if someone does disbelieve, does the spell stop, or only stop for them?

Shadow Evocations have the same duration as the spell they are imitating. See this line:


Nondamaging effects have normal effects except against those who disbelieve them.

"Normal effects" means it functions just like a Darkness spell except with regards to the disbelief bit.


Secondly, a PC can lower their own spell resistance, correct? Can they automatically fail on a savings throw, if they wish to? IF they cast shadow evocation/darkness on themselves, can they fail their own disbelief check, and think it's real, and they are covered in shadowy illumination?

Yes to both - you can voluntarily fail saves (no action) and voluntarily lower SR (standard action.)

Acanous
2011-02-03, 11:00 AM
Addendum- if the PC fails his save and thinks he's got shadowy illumination, but the enemies trying to spot him MAKE the save, the PC does not gain the usual +4 bonus to hide. It should work for a shadowdancer's shadow step, however.

Of course, why you're using Shadow Evocation instead of just casting darkness has me a bit boggled. Did you prohibit Evocation?

RagnaroksChosen
2011-02-03, 11:19 AM
I have a question about that... Well i guess its more for illusions in general...

Using the darkness example above would trying to see the caster inside the darkness count as interacting... or would attacking through the darkness?

Acanous
2011-02-03, 11:36 AM
you'd have to take an action to interact with it, you don't get a passive/automatic save. I'd say that stepping into or actively trying to see through it should get you a save to disbelieve, but if you weren't aware of the caster beforehand, your automatic spot VS his hide would not get the bonus.

Generally "Interacted with" means they use some sort of action, depending on the illusion spell and what you're causing.

Czin
2011-02-03, 12:12 PM
This sounds horrendously redundant, like an eel-snake or a porcupine-cactus (incidentally the latter is actually in D&D, cracked.com poked fun at it along with other monsters.)

Greenish
2011-02-03, 12:31 PM
you'd have to take an action to interact with it, you don't get a passive/automatic save.Unless you work for the Inquisition. :smallcool: