Rules Q&A Simple Q&A D&D 3.5 (by RAW) XXVI [Archive]

Vaynor

2014-02-22, 06:47 AM

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Chronos

2014-02-22, 09:06 AM

(from the other thread)

Q 775: Are there any spells that can raise someone from the dead (in any way, including reincarnation or the like) that does not have an expensive material component?

Specifically, I'm wanting to tie such a spell to an Energy Transformation Field (SpC) for a special location, but Energy Transformation Field cannot power a second spell that requires expensive material components or XP costs.
A 775:

I don't know if it will work for your purposes, but Revenance (Spell Compendium) has no material component. On the other hand, it also only works within 1 round/level after death, and the subject dies again after only 1 minute/level.

HurinTheCursed

2014-02-22, 09:58 AM

Q 771 - continued

A 771 No.

As stated, the Crystal of Arrow Deflection protects you from ranged weapon attacks, as if you had the Deflect Arrows (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#deflectArrows) feat. That feat doesn't protect against ranged spell attacks; instead, Exceptional Deflection [Epic] (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/feats.htm#exceptionalDeflection) is necessary to do that.
You stated in A 773 and A 774 that some of these spells are weapon-like, aren't they considered ranged weapon attacks then ?

Only the flavour text ever mentions "weapons", not the description. Does it mean in general (not only for this item) the name and flavour text have to be taken into account by RAW (not RAI) ?

HurinTheCursed

2014-02-22, 10:03 AM

Q 776:Are yuan-ti halfbloods with snake tails considered bipedal or quadrupedal for purposes of determining carrying capacity?
A 776 It's not defined in the rules AFAIK but since they have a vertical position and don't rely on their upper limbs (arms) to walk, they would be considered as bipedal.

Andezzar

2014-02-22, 10:10 AM

A 771

The part
A crystal of arrow deflection protects you from ranged weapon attacks. is not flavor text but the part of the rules that is shared by all three types of crystals (least, lesser, greater). The rules for each individual crystal do not reiterate the restriction to ranged weapon attacks.

Q 1

If a Dervish treats his scimitar as a light weapon he can no longer use Power Attack, right?

Q 2

If you have already cast all your third level spells and level up, can you enter a PrC that requires third level spellcasting?

Able to cast 3rd-level arcane spells.

georgie_leech

2014-02-22, 12:45 PM

A 776 Continued

Strictly speaking, it doesn't particularly matter if they count as bipedal, so much as that they aren't quadrupedal. Only quadrupeds get the bonus to carrying capacity, and, lacking four leg-like limbs, Yuan-ti don't count.

Xaroth

2014-02-22, 12:47 PM

Q 3

Are there any SRD feats that allow one to switch weapons as a free action?

Andezzar

2014-02-22, 12:53 PM

A 3

No, but with Quick Draw (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#quickDraw) you can drop your old weapons and draw new ones as a free action.

AFAIK there is no feat that makes sheathing a weapon (normally a move action) a free action.

ZamielVanWeber

2014-02-22, 01:19 PM

Q 4
I just need a very strict RAW answer for this:

Would a Wildshape Ranger 5/Master of Many Forms 4 be able to Wilfshape into small or medium fey? The wildshape variant on ranger says "small or medium animals only" and nothing in Improved Wild Shape.seems to overwrite this. Druid's language is similar, but does not specifiy "only."

Taelas

2014-02-22, 01:46 PM

A1:
Correct; light weapons cannot be used for Power Attack.

A2:
You are still able to cast the spells even if you have used them up for the day. Even if it were an issue, you could simply wait until the following day for your spell slots to refresh.

A3, addendum:
"Switching" weapons is already a free action, assuming you are wielding them. For instance, if you are wielding a double weapon, you can use either end at will, even without using the Two-Weapon Fighting rules.

A4:
The 'only' phrasing is irrelevant; the Improved Wildshape from Master of Many Forms specifies what you can turn into. That fact alone overrides the wording from Wildshape Ranger.

Kred

2014-02-22, 02:11 PM

Q5
A bone weapon + Improved Critical
Will i get 17-20 threat range?

Andezzar

2014-02-22, 02:15 PM

A2:
You are still able to cast the spells even if you have used them up for the day. Even if it were an issue, you could simply wait until the following day for your spell slots to refresh.Got a citation for that? The question is not whether you are going to be able to cast those spells again but whether you can do it at level up. There is no delay between the reception of XP and the level advancement. The prerequisites for a PrC must be met at that point.

A3, addendum:
"Switching" weapons is already a free action, assuming you are wielding them. For instance, if you are wielding a double weapon, you can use either end at will, even without using the Two-Weapon Fighting rules.If you mean transferring the weapon from your right hand to your left and vice versa, this is not specified in the rules and does not give any benefits, unless you were dual wielding and started with a light weapon in your main hand and a one-handed weapon in your off-hand.

A 5

Most likely not:
This effect doesn’t stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon.
Unless Bone weapons have an explicit rule for stacking with Improved critical they don't

Q 6

Where can I find bone weapons?

unseenmage

2014-02-22, 03:01 PM

A6

I do not know about a strictly 3.5 source but I know there are rules for them in the Arms and Equipment Guide.

Andezzar

2014-02-22, 03:14 PM

A 5 Correction

Bone weapons do not have any effect that changes the critical range of a weapon. So Improved critical would work normally. If the weapon fashioned from bone has a crit range of 19-20, a character wielding it with improved critical would have a crit range of 17-20.

KillianHawkeye

2014-02-22, 03:57 PM

A 1 correction

You may Power Attack with a light weapon; you simply receive no benefit for doing so.

The distinction here is important. Example: Somebody using Two-Weapon Fighting with a double weapon or with a one-handed weapon and an off-hand light weapon can still Power Attack. They get the regular damage bonus with their main weapon, but must still take the penalty on their attack rolls with both.

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-22, 05:41 PM

Q7: If you cast Axiomatic Creature (from BoED) does the target acquire a template or LA?

kkplx

2014-02-22, 07:53 PM

Q 8:

Can an Erudite (StP) learn spells as powers from creatures that possess them as Spell-like(or Psi-Like) abilities?

DeltaEmil

2014-02-22, 07:56 PM

Q 9

How long does the unconsciousness from the blue whinnis and oil of taggit poison last?

Necroticplague

2014-02-22, 08:01 PM

A9
1d3 hours (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Poisons)

Q10
What are the rest of the stats of surprise weapons? They list damage, price, and weight, but I don't see where it says if they are exotic or martial, and light or one-handed.

kkplx

2014-02-22, 08:22 PM

Q 11

With Revive Undead (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:1tBpbcqGswgJ:dndtools.eu/spells/spell-compendium--86/revive-undead--4108/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk), how does the "willing spirit" clause work for the mostly mindless Zombies and Skeletons, which to my knowledge do not actually possess a spirit anymore?

Fitz10019

2014-02-22, 10:26 PM

Q12
If a character has a permanenced Enlarge Person casting, and he drinks a potion of Reduce Person (perhaps accidently or by deception), does the potion dispel the permanenced spell? If yes, completely or just for the duration of the potion?

Taelas

2014-02-22, 10:32 PM

Got a citation for that? The question is not whether you are going to be able to cast those spells again but whether you can do it at level up. There is no delay between the reception of XP and the level advancement. The prerequisites for a PrC must be met at that point.
There is no citation needed. There is no precedence for a daily ability being expended leading to one failing to fulfill prerequisites.

You need to be able to cast spells. You are able to cast them. You have simply already done so.

The suggestion that you would not qualify for having expended spells is absurd, and would lead to at least characters with levels in prestige classes from Complete Arcane to routinely lose the benefits from those levels.

If you mean transferring the weapon from your right hand to your left and vice versa, this is not specified in the rules and does not give any benefits, unless you were dual wielding and started with a light weapon in your main hand and a one-handed weapon in your off-hand.
The benefit can be as simple as using a different weapon type (from slashing to piercing, for instance, in the case of a dwarven urgrosh). They can also be made of different materials -- one end of a double weapon can be silvered and the other end made of cold iron, for example. If you have iterative attacks, you can attack with both ends of the weapon interchangeably in the same round -- your first attack could be with the cold iron end, for instance, and upon realizing it failed to penetrate the enemy's DR, you could use the silvered end with your iterative attacks.

You can use a two-handed weapon and still cast spells, despite needing one hand free to use somatic components, and you can resume fighting with the weapon at will. This also holds true for simply turning a double weapon around, and for swapping a sword from one hand to the other.

The converse would also make fighting with a ranged weapon impossible: if it were not a free action (or even a non-action) to let go of your weapon and and resume holding it, it would not be possible to fire multiple arrows with a bow.

Skip Williams covered for the lack in a Rules of the Game article, located here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20041102a).

This is the relevant bit:

Adjacent Squares and Reach Weapons: There are some tricks you can use to threaten those adjacent squares when you're using a reach weapon. If you're a monk, your unarmed attacks continue to threaten the squares adjacent to you. Even if you're not a monk, you can use a smaller weapon to threaten the adjacent squares. You'll have to hold the reach weapon in one hand and wield the smaller weapon in the other hand. Since most reach weapons are two-handed weapons, you're only holding onto the reach weapon, not wielding it, and you don't threaten an area with it. Although the rules don't mention it, letting go of a two-handed weapon with one hand or putting a free hand back on the weapon is a free action for you. Drawing the smaller weapon requires an action, but if you have the Quick Draw feat, it's a free action. Note that you can take a free action only during your turn.

A12: Reduce person counters and dispels enlarge person, and spells rendered permanent via permanency are subject to dispels as normal:
"Spells cast on other creatures... are vulnerable to dispel magic as normal."
Thus, drinking a reduce person potion would remove the permanent enlarge person for good.

JDL

2014-02-22, 11:09 PM

Q 13

Do the half speed penalties for using the move silently and hide skills stack to equal quarter speed?

Q 14

Do the half speed penalties for travelling overland cautiously and using survival to provide food stack to equal quarter speed?

An official source explicitly stating the answer would be very much appreciated.

Etherion

2014-02-22, 11:37 PM

Q 15

Could one use prestidigitation to create oil, which would then be used to light enemies on fire?

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-22, 11:39 PM

(from the other thread)

A 775:

I don't know if it will work for your purposes, but Revenance (Spell Compendium) has no material component. On the other hand, it also only works within 1 round/level after death, and the subject dies again after only 1 minute/level.

Not the most ideal, but it will suffice if nothing more can be found. Interestingly, nothing seems to stop you from casting it again and again upon the same corpse each time the previous casting ends.

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-22, 11:44 PM

A8:

They can learn powers from power stones, willing psionic characters and unwilling but unconscious psionic characters. They cannot learn powers based on spells or spell-like abilities.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20060406b

I did not properly understand the original question.

Taelas

2014-02-22, 11:57 PM

A8, correction:
The questioner was referring to the Convert Spell to Power Erudite from the Expanded Classes article, found here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20070629a).

The answer remains 'no', however: spell-like abilities are explicitly not spells, which is what the StP Erudite can learn.

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-23, 12:16 AM

A13:
"Circumstance bonuses stack with all other bonuses, including other circumstance bonuses, unless they arise from essentially the same source."
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/theBasics.htm

A14:See A13.

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-23, 12:22 AM

A15: No
"The materials created by a prestidigitation spell are extremely fragile, and they cannot be used as tools, weapons, or spell components."
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/prestidigitation.htm

Curmudgeon

2014-02-23, 01:05 AM

A 007 No.

There are no templates or LA associated with Axiomatic Creature. Until dispelled, the affected creature gets the associated benefits simply for the (high) cost of the casting.

Note: Since Axiomatic Creature has an Archon component, the caster must have the archon subtype to cast this spell.

A 013 No.

You've misinterpreted cause and consequence here. The penalties in both cases are those for choosing that speed (the consequences), but do not cause your speed to change. You apply the appropriate penalty for the chosen speed to each specific skill.

broodax

2014-02-23, 09:16 AM

Q 16a Can the thing "treated as a creature" created by the spell Earthen Grasp attack things that are obscured from vision (specifically, obscured from the vision of the caster such that the caster cannot direct it to attack, and it therefore attacks a random target in range)?

i. If there is no light source?
ii. If there is obscuring fog or shadow?
iii. If the potential target is invisible?
iv. If the potential target is ethereal?
v. If there is some other circumstance I have not thought of?

Q 16b If the "creature" can attack those things, what sort of penalties and miss chances does it incur?

Shin

2014-02-23, 09:21 AM

Q 17
Can humanoids without the (human) subtype (like catfolk) take the human heritage feat from Races of Destiny to become (human) in addition to their subtype and gain the human racial bonus feat and bonus skill points?

Necroticplague

2014-02-23, 10:22 AM

A17
Yes, they may take the feat, but it does not grant them human traits. They would merely add the human subtype.

Andezzar

2014-02-23, 10:33 AM

A 17 Contention.

A17
Yes, they may take the feat, but it does not grant them human traits. They would merely add the human subtype.
Such creatures can only take the feat if they are either of a Half-human race or a human-descended Race. AFAIK Catfolk are neither.

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-23, 11:02 AM

Q18: The various "Utterance" warlock invocations are based on Dark Speech from BoVD, is there any alignment requirement to use them?

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-23, 11:07 AM

Q19:Would an Efficient Quiver work for storing wands, rods, and staffs?

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-23, 11:36 AM

Q20:
A. Is it legal to use the Adding New Abilities rules for crafting magic items to make one Eternal Wand with multiple spell effects?

B. Would each spell effect have it's own daily charges or would they share a pool?

Andezzar

2014-02-23, 12:17 PM

A 19

Yes, only the relative size of the object not the nature of the object to be placed in the quiver. Wands and Rods should be roughly the size of arrows and Staffs explicitly fit in the largest compartment.

A 20

A & B) Ask your DM. Custom magic items are purely in the purview of the DM. He decides if and how such items can be created.

Khedrac

2014-02-23, 12:23 PM

A18 No.
The only link the warlock "utterances" have to Dark Speech is the bad fluff text. Since all of a warlock's invocations have a somatic component only they are not even spoken...

Note, I call the fluff text "bad" because the link to Dark Speech potentially causes so many issues, like the one you just raised, it really should not be there.

Necroticplague

2014-02-23, 12:44 PM

A 17 Contention.

Such creatures can only take the feat if they are either of a Half-human race or a human-descended Race. AFAIK Catfolk are neither.

A17 Clarification
I was adressing the general of the question, while ignoring the example. The main thing of importance was that human traits were not gained.I don't know anything about catfol, and thus could not respond to the specific example.
Which should be freaking obvious. Why would a feat be able to give you a bonus feat in addition to any other benefits?

heavyfuel

2014-02-23, 12:51 PM

Q 21

A Factotum with 18 Int can pick the Font of Inspiration feat 4 times, giving him a total of +10 IP. This way, a lv6 factotum would have a total of 14 IP per encounter.

If he were to use 4 IP, and proceed to take 1 point of Int damage, he would no longer qualify for the fourth FoI feat, and would lose 4 IP.

Now, how many IP does he have left? 10 (because the lost 4 IP would have already been used) or 6 (because the used IP cannot be lost)?

Irk

2014-02-23, 04:48 PM

Chronos

2014-02-23, 05:10 PM

It also doesn't make sense to not be able to lose something expended. What if the factotum used 5 IP, and then got his Int damaged all the way down to 10? Would he have a negative number of IP?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-23, 06:27 PM

A 16a

Quoting from the spell (Spell Compendium, page 76):
Effect: Animated earthen arm
...
If you are unable to choose a target, the arm attacks a random creature within reach (possibly including your allies). This arm has no visual or other sensory detection systems. If undirected, it attacks "a random creature within reach", with no other provisos. Thus the answer to all your questions is yes. (If you want an explanation, you'll have to settle for "It's magic." :smallwink:)

A 16b As specified.

Having established that the attacks do occur as stated in the spell, the penalties established in the rules apply. An attack against an incorporeal creature will have a 50% chance to be ignored (because the arm is a spell effect); an attack against a creature with concealment will have a 20% miss chance; and so on.

Irk

2014-02-23, 07:23 PM

It also doesn't make sense to not be able to lose something expended. What if the factotum used 5 IP, and then got his Int damaged all the way down to 10? Would he have a negative number of IP?
I don't know if it really matters, they are all replaced at the end of an encounter. I'm probably wrong though.

Ranting Fool

2014-02-23, 07:45 PM

Q22

Animal companion Spell Bond.

A: Does it work if you gain spells with another class? Level 1 Druid with Levels in Wizard for example.

B: If so what about spells like Dimensional Hop, would the pet go with you?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-23, 07:47 PM

Re: A 021

I don't know if it really matters, they are all replaced at the end of an encounter. I'm probably wrong though.
You're wrong about that, at least. IPs are refreshed at the beginning of a new encounter, not at the end.

Ranting Fool

2014-02-23, 08:04 PM

Q23

RAW do you need to use all your skill points when you level or can you save them till the level after?

e.g Level in class X but wanting to save skill points till gain Class Y so don't cross class.

Curmudgeon

2014-02-23, 08:28 PM

A 023

The Level Advancement steps are detailed in Player's Handbook on pages 58-59. Your only chance to spend skill points is at step 6. of that sequence. Skill points are a function only of the class granting them. You cannot, therefore, spend skill points gained from class X under the rules for class Y. Or, as the rule states it:
Remember that you buy skills based on the class you have advanced in, so that only those skills given as class skills for that class can be purchased as class skills for this level, regardless of what other classes you may have levels in. There is no provision for "saving" skill points; if not spent, they're still done once you leave Step 6. Skill Points.

Irk

2014-02-23, 08:43 PM

Re: A 021

You're wrong about that, at least. IPs are refreshed at the beginning of a new encounter, not at the end.
Oops, you're right, that was careless on my part. I guess just change it to this:
"I don't know if it really matters, they are all replaced at the beginning of an encounter."
and it's all good.

Silentone98

2014-02-23, 10:02 PM

Sith_Happens

2014-02-23, 10:24 PM

A 24

The victim of a Phane's (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/monsters/abomination.htm#phane) Stasis Touch ages 1d4 years per round.

For a sufficiently loose definition of "outside of actual in-game time passing," you could put the character on a plane with Flowing Time.

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-24, 12:13 AM

Q24

Are there any ways to age a player outside of actual ingame time passing.

Effects I am looking for, Spells, creature with this effect, pre-existing planes where time flows faster, magical items(equipment or consumable)

basically near any method you can think of to cause fast aging without resorting to homebrew or DM's creativity.

A 24
The Realm of Faerie from Manual of the Planes has flowing time that catches up with the mortal when they leave. It defaults to 7 days material plane to 1 day Faerie Realm, but there is a sidebar to make it nastier, two weeks material plane to one hour in the Faerie Realm. (That's 48 weeks for each day on the Plane of Faerie; nearly a year).

So, send your PC's to the Plane of Faerie for a few days, and when they come back, they'll be nearly starved and age a few years.

Edit: Manual of the Planes p. 210-211

Sliver

2014-02-24, 04:13 AM

Q 25

A Babau has multiattack, yet his bite attack is at +7, instead of +10. Is that correct, or is it an error that wasn't addressed?

KillianHawkeye

2014-02-24, 06:51 AM

A 25

That looks to be an error. Monster/NPC stat blocks are notorious for being poorly edited and rife with numerical errors.

kkplx

2014-02-24, 07:44 AM

Q 26

Does the spell Glowing Orb (http://dndtools.eu/spells/spell-compendium--86/glowing-orb--4554/) at its maximum intensity provide 60ft illumination, 30ft illumination and another 30ft shadowy illumination, or 60ft illumination and another 60ft shadowy illumination?

Chronos

2014-02-24, 10:17 AM

A 24 continued:
One of the listed uses for Bestow Curse (I think in Book of Vile Darkness) is to advance the subject by one age category. This could be removed via Remove Curse or similar, though, so it's not true aging.

Curmudgeon

2014-02-24, 01:03 PM

A 026

D&D has bright illumination and shadowy illumination. A Glowing Orb has an unspecified illumination level, so your individual DM will have to decide which one it is. The only thing clear about this light source is that it's just that one level of illumination inside its radius, with no secondary illumination radius. (Mechanically, that makes it more consistent with other D&D light sources if the DM decides that the Orb tops out at creating shadowy illumination and no bright illumination.)

Andezzar

2014-02-24, 01:18 PM

(Mechanically, that makes it more consistent with other D&D light sources if the DM decides that the Orb tops out at creating shadowy illumination and no bright illumination.)Ha, that however makes the area illuminated by a glowing orb, just as well lit as the area affected by a darkness spell. :smallbiggrin:

Shin

2014-02-24, 02:34 PM

Q 27

Does the dimension door + shadow pounce combo enable sneak attack?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-24, 02:48 PM

A 027

By itself, no. Sneak attack is enabled by either

flanking the target, which requires an ally in the proper position; or
having the target denied their DEX bonus to AC.

Rev666

2014-02-24, 08:28 PM

Q28

When a ranger throws a splash weapon (a vial of acid say) against his favoured enemy does he get the bonus to the initial damage roll.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-24, 09:21 PM

georgie_leech

2014-02-24, 09:24 PM

A29

Be a higher level. The only time it takes 1000 xp to level is at level 1. At higher levels, you have more xp to work with because more xp is required to level.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-24, 09:30 PM

A29

Be a higher level. The only time it takes 1000 xp to level is at level 1. At higher levels, you have more xp to work with because more xp is required to level.

request for clarification

My understanding was that in 3.5 the XP costs are lifetime totals, not increments per level. So, for example, if the XP chart had these costs for levels 1-3:

Level 1 - 50 XP
Level 2 - 150 XP
Level 3 - 250 XP
(*)

Then it would take 250 XP to reach 3rd level, not 450 XP. Is this wrong?

(*) Note that I am making up numbers here in order to avoid quoting copyrighted material.

georgie_leech

2014-02-24, 09:39 PM

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-24, 09:48 PM

Q30: Is there a RAW way to turn the DS's Draconic Auras into magic items?

Irk

2014-02-24, 10:08 PM

Q 31
Does the astral construct's power storing menu option (https://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20030829a) (at the bottom) allow you to activate powers as if they were activated by the construct? (i.e. power storing with force screen, activate power storing, who gets the effect?)

KillianHawkeye

2014-02-24, 10:13 PM

A29 Continuation

Each level gives the xp you need to gain the next level, from your previous total. To use your numbers, for instance, you would require 250 additional xp to move from level 2 to level 3; the character would have a total of 450 xp.

A 29 Correction

This is completely false. Table 3-2 in the Player's Handbook lists the total amount of experience points required to be a particular level. You need 3,000 xp to reach level 3, which is a net increase of 2,000 from the 1,000 required to reach level 2.

However, the amount of experience points needed to reach the next level always increases (by 1,000 points), so it does indeed become possible to spend more experience points the higher level you are.

In addition, the rules allow you to, upon gaining the amount of XP needed to gain a level, instead immediately spend that XP on creating an item.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-24, 10:33 PM

A 29 Correction

This is completely false. Table 3-2 in the Player's Handbook lists the total amount of experience points required to be a particular level. You need 3,000 xp to reach level 3, which is a net increase of 2,000 from the 1,000 required to reach level 2.

However, the amount of experience points needed to reach the next level always increases (by 1,000 points), so it does indeed become possible to spend more experience points the higher level you are.

In addition, the rules allow you to, upon gaining the amount of XP needed to gain a level, instead immediately spend that XP on creating an item.

I'm a bit confused by the above. If I understand you, you're saying that the XP requirements for levels 1-3 are:

Level 1 - 0
Level 2 - 1000
Level 3 - 3000

Using these numbers, does my character go to 3rd level when he earns his 3,000th XP or his 4,000th ?

Chronos

2014-02-24, 10:42 PM

When he earns his 3000th XP point. The spacing between levels still increases, though.

TuggyNE

2014-02-24, 10:51 PM

A28: Yes. FE works on weapon damage rolls, and splash weapons are a type of ranged weapon.

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-25, 12:11 AM

Q29

How do you afford the XP costs of expensive magic items?

My understanding is that as soon as you have the XP to go up a level you must go up the level, which uses up the free XP. And you are not allowed to spend enough XP on anything to go down a level. Say that it takes 1000 XP to get to the next level, and you want to craft a magic item that will cost 1500 XP to create. How do you do it? (Ignoring tricks with negative levels + Thought Bottles -- what is the expected way to do it?)

A 29: Continuation

PHB, p. 58

A character can advance only one level at a time. If, for some extraordinary reason, a character’s XP reward from a single adventure would be enough to advance two or more levels at once, he or she instead advances one level and gains just enough XP to be 1 XP short of the next level.

Thus, you can in theory gain just shy of two-levels' worth of XP, not level, and then spend all that XP on item creation. That would allow "earlier" access to crafting of high-XP items, as you have a doubly-large XP pool to expend.

Also, note that unlike 3.0, you are allowed to pause your item crafting in 3.5. So you could gain enough XP to reach 5th level, take Craft Wand with your wizard bonus feat, and have 100 extra XP. You spend that 100 XP working on a wand that costs 4,000 gp. You only complete 2,500 gp-worth of that 4,000 gp, using up your available XP, and then stop crafting, go on another adventure, pick up another few thousand XP, and then come home and finish crafting your wand.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-25, 12:44 AM

A 29: Continuation
PHB, p. 58

Thus, you can in theory gain just shy of two-levels' worth of XP, not level, and then spend all that XP on item creation. That would allow "earlier" access to crafting of high-XP items, as you have a doubly-large XP pool to expend.

Well, blarg. I thought that rule didn't make the jump from v2. And I already have a plot point that revolves around advancing multiple levels at once. Well, I guess it's now a house rule in 2YE that you can advance multiple levels at once. Which is fine, actually, because the above rule irritates me.

Thanks for pointing it out. I would much rather go back and explicitly mark it as "yep, I'm house ruling this" instead of having someone call me on it in a review and being embarrassed.

Sith_Happens

2014-02-25, 03:11 AM

Q 32

Are you considered adjacent to yourself?

Andezzar

2014-02-25, 03:41 AM

A 32

No:
In a square that shares a border or a corner with a designated square. Each square is adjacent to eight other squares on the board.If you were adjacent to yourself, each square would be adjacent to 9 other squares.

It is unclear how creatures occupying more than one square are treated.

BTW, for which ability do you want to count as adjacent to yourself? Maybe the description of that ability clears it up.

Flame of Anor

2014-02-25, 03:42 AM

A 32

The Actions in Combat section says that "Opponents within 5 feet are considered adjacent to you." Opponent isn't defined, AFAIK. So if you can declare yourself an opponent with a straight face, then yes.

Edit: Andezzar, looking at your text more carefully, it is obvious that a square "shares a border or a corner" with itself. But wait, you say, isn't it only adjacent to eight squares? No, it is adjacent to eight other squares. It is free to be adjacent to itself too.

Andezzar

2014-02-25, 04:06 AM

No, it is adjacent to eight other squares. It is free to be adjacent to itself too.How does "other squares" include the primary one? If this included the first square, this would either mean that one of the surrounding squares is not adjacent to the primary one or that the whole sentence is meaningless because it does not tell us the maximum number of squares each square is adjacent to but just an arbitrary number below that maximum.

While opponent is not defined as a game term, the plain English definition (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opponent) would require some pretty specific conditions for you to count as being opposed to yourself.

Sith_Happens

2014-02-25, 05:28 AM

[Snip]

D'oh, the first thing I did was check the glossary but somehow I skipped over the entry I was looking for.

TrueJordan

2014-02-25, 09:21 AM

Q33

For making custom items, can you make a continuous item that you can only use x/day, or would that have to be considered a 'command word' item?

Here's the case: We want to make an item as cheap as possible of fire resistance, a la the 6th level druid/cleric spell Energy Immunity.

If it had to be command word activated, then it'd be 6*11*1800 (and we only want once a day) so all that /5
But it'd be much cheaper if it was continuous, as 6*11*1000 (for being 24/hour duration) then /5 for once a day.
Or does that not make sense? thanks.

Andezzar

2014-02-25, 09:33 AM

TrueJordan

2014-02-25, 09:49 AM

A 33

No, continuous items do not have activations per day. They simply work all the time.

How much Fire do you need to ignore? A Ring of Energy Resistance (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/rings.htm#energyResistance) should help in most situations.

Oho you dream so small. I'm a druid 11, I want to give my fighter two bags of Holly Berries http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fireSeeds.htm, for him to carry. While he's fighting the BBEG face to face, I speak the command word and BOOM, 16d8+132 fire damage, reflex half (average 204/102 in one turn. Not too shabby). So... a ring of resistance 30 wouldn't help so much. Thanks anyway, though.

Chronos

2014-02-25, 09:56 AM

A 33 continued:

The magic item rules say exactly how much such an item should cost: It's not a custom item, it's one of the items already in the book. If you try to make a new item that does the same thing, it'll cost the same amount. The guidelines concerning spell level and uses per day and so on apply only if you can't determine the price by comparison to existing items.

That said, the ring of fire resistance might still be enough for you. The rules are inconsistent on whether resistance applies per attack or per round; if the former, then you need only worry about getting resistance greater than any given holly berry's damage.

TrueJordan

2014-02-25, 10:07 AM

Ah, ok thanks. For future reference though, I can't make a continuous activation divided by 5 if I wanted it once a day. Thanks.

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-25, 10:20 AM

Well, blarg. I thought that rule didn't make the jump from v2. And I already have a plot point that revolves around advancing multiple levels at once. Well, I guess it's now a house rule in 2YE that you can advance multiple levels at once. Which is fine, actually, because the above rule irritates me.

Thanks for pointing it out. I would much rather go back and explicitly mark it as "yep, I'm house ruling this" instead of having someone call me on it in a review and being embarrassed.
Note that "a single adventure" should be flexibly interpreted. Otherwise the Red Hand of Doom, a single adventure that takes PC's from 5th level to 10th level, would be impossible.

OMG PONIES

2014-02-25, 11:04 AM

Q34: Can a character have multiple surprise weapons (Complete Scoundrel, pp. 109-110) activated at once?

Q35: Assuming the answer to the above question is "yes," does each active surprise weapon grant an extra "off-hand" attack, even if the weapon is not wielded in a hand? From the SRD:

If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-25, 11:17 AM

I'm bumping this because it got lost in the numbering (it was originally #30 but a question after this also came in as #30. I have renumbered it to 29b for clarity)

Q29b (formerly Q30)

When a wizard uses Shapechange to turn into (e.g.) an elf can he still cast spells? (Substitute "elf" for "anything that is able to supply the V,S,M requirements of spellcasting".)

I am considering having a wizard turn into a ghost / other incorporeal so that he can use a massive AoE effect without being caught in it.

Andezzar

2014-02-25, 11:27 AM

A 29b

Yes, you do not lose class based abilities while under the effect of Alter Self/Polymorph/Shapechange.

As for your specific idea, it does not that well:
Even when hit by spells or magic weapons, it has a 50% chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source (except for positive energy, negative energy, force effects such as magic missile, or attacks made with ghost touch weapons).50% miss chance means that the other 50% of castings hit.

Q 36

If you use polymorph any object on a PC and turn him into a crature with LA: -, do you take him out of play?

Seer_of_Heart

2014-02-25, 01:03 PM

Q 37

How do two or more theurgic feats from dragon 325 that let you combine the caster level of all your classes interact with each other?
Q 38

Does a theurgy feat from dragon 325 that combines caster levels for all classes make your caster level infinite if used by a knight of the weave with at least 1 other arcane casting class.

Cardea

2014-02-25, 01:56 PM

Q 39

What are some spells or items that block or inhibit planar travel?

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-25, 02:23 PM

Q40: How does an inherent venom attack's DC scale with increased HD/CON?

KillianHawkeye

2014-02-25, 02:38 PM

A 40

The typical formula used by such an attack is 10 + 0.5 * HD + Con modifier.

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-25, 03:03 PM

Q 39

What are some spells or items that block or inhibit planar travel?

A 39: Spells: Forbiddance, Dimensional Anchor, Dimensional Lock (all core)
Items: Weirdstone (PGtF)

Chronos

2014-02-25, 03:17 PM

A 39 continued:

Halaster's Teleport Cage (Waterdeep) doesn't stop teleportation entirely, but it does randomize it. Anticipate Teleport (SC) delays the arrival of a teleporter by one round and gives you warning that they're about to arrive. The Shadowcaster mystery Black Labyrinth (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070307a) randomizes teleports within its very large area, among other effects. The Planar Bubble spell (SC) can be used to import the traits of a limited-access plane.

AlanBruce

2014-02-25, 03:45 PM

Q. 41

If caster A uses a chained dispel magic on caster B to dispel buffs and items but caster B has a ring of counterspells with dispel magic, would the ring counter both dispels?

That is, would the chaining be nullified?

OMG PONIES

2014-02-25, 04:32 PM

A41: It depends. If you're referring to a Dispel Magic that has been affected by the Chain Spell metamagic feat, then the ring activates.

...should that spell ever be cast upon the wearer, the spell is immediately countered, as a counterspell action, requiring no action (or even knowledge) on the wearer’s part.
The fact that this is a metamagic'd version of the spell doesn't matter.

Metamagic feats are not taken into account when determining whether a spell can be countered.
Thus, Dispel Magic is counterspelled before it affects the primary target normally. Therefore, it cannot arc to its secondary targets. From the text of Chain Spell:

Any spell that specifies a single target and has a range greater than touch can be chained so as to affect that primary target normally, then arc to a number of secondary targets equal to your caster level (maximum 20).
On the other hand, if you're referring to Chain Dispel (an 8th-level spell found in PHB II), the ring of counterspells does not trigger, as you need to be targeted with the specific spell in question. Chain Dispel is not Dispel Magic.

AlanBruce

2014-02-25, 04:35 PM

A41: It depends. If you're referring to a Dispel Magic that has been affected by the Chain Spell metamagic feat, then the ring activates.

The fact that this is a metamagic'd version of the spell doesn't matter.

Thus, Dispel Magic is counterspelled before it affects the primary target normally. Therefore, it cannot arc to its secondary targets. From the text of Chain Spell:

On the other hand, if you're referring to Chain Dispel (an 8th-level spell found in PHB II), the ring of counterspells does not trigger, as you need to be targeted with the specific spell in question. Chain Dispel is not Dispel Magic.

Thank you. I should've clarified: Dispel Magic laced with metamagic (Chain Spell).

HMS Invincible

2014-02-25, 04:38 PM

Q42. What are the restrictions on what a mount is? Could I have a goblin ride a bugbear and use mounted combat feats?

Metahuman1

2014-02-25, 05:03 PM

Q 43 If an Artificer takes the mage slayer feat line, does it negatively impact his ability to use infusions/craft magic items?

Note: I'm asking for a gestalt game were I'm gonna put Artificer on one side. I'm looking for good feats to pick. I have Warblade on the other side, and if the answers no, I'll be going that route then.

Curmudgeon

2014-02-25, 05:48 PM

A 034 Yes.

Those are just extra weapons held by the character; there's nothing special about them after the "surprise" blade part is revealed.

A 035 No.

You've referenced the Two-Weapon Fighting rules (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#twoWeaponFighting). When you hold multiple weapons, no matter how many, the rules allow one extra attack when you make a full attack, with all attacks incurring the penalties specified in the table (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#tableTwoWeaponFightingPenalties ). There is nothing magical about holding extra weapons that grants bonus attacks with them. After the first extra attack, you need at least two feats (Two-Weapon Fighting and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting) to be allowed another (and again, only in a full attack action).

Lateral

2014-02-25, 06:05 PM

Q 44

What happens when an effect causes a flying creature to fall prone?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-25, 06:34 PM

A 044

The answer depends on several things. Firstly, if the effect is arrived at not by a tripping mechanism, your DM will have to adjudicate the situation. If the prone condition is caused by tripping, read on.

If the creature is winged, they start falling toward the ground as specified in the stalling rules (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/movement.htm#tacticalAerialMovement). If they're flying via some sort of magic they don't fall. Because D&D has no specification of "facing" the magically flying character's orientation isn't tracked by the game rules, and tripping has no effect.

To trip someone is to cause them to stumble (i.e., not be steady). If they're on the ground that unsteadiness is relative to their supporting legs and brings them into the prone position, lying on the ground. (A creature without legs can't stumble when they're on the ground, and thus tripping them also has no effect.) If they're not on the ground they're not using their legs, and thus tripping makes them unsteady with respect to whatever is supporting them (often wings). (Again, a creature not supported in the air by their body cannot be made to stumble by attacking their body.)

If the creature is supported by magic rather than their body, a tripping attack won't affect them. Instead, you need some way to attack their magic.

questionmark693

2014-02-25, 07:08 PM

Q 45

Do I need to, as a spellcaster, prepare protection from evil and protection from evil separately, or do i prepare protection from good/evil/law/chaos once, then choose which effect to gain at the time of casting?

Andezzar

2014-02-25, 07:14 PM

A 45

Yes, those are four different spells. Not only do you need to prepare them separately, you also have to learn them separately.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-25, 07:36 PM

Q46

Does the following sequence work?:

Cast Greater Blink on yourself
Ready an action that says "when the explosion happens, I will Blink"
Cast a Fireball targeting your own square
Take no damage because when the explosion happens you are in mid-Blink

Thurbane

2014-02-25, 07:37 PM

Q 047

Can spells you cast via using the Raiment of the Four (MIC) (i.e. Magic Missile, Fireball, Freedom of Movement, Teleport) be metamagicked as normal?

nyjastul69

2014-02-25, 07:52 PM

A 46 No. Greater Blink allows the caster to ready an action to avoid a physical or magical attack, unless said attack can affect ethereal creatures. An attack, as defined by the PH glossary, must involve an attack roll. Fireball does not use an attack roll.

@ Thurbane, you got ninja'd on the question number.

TuggyNE

2014-02-25, 08:29 PM

A46 correction: Impractical for reasons of action economy. Readying an action requires a standard action; casting a spell also does, in general. A Quickened fireball or some other method of casting a spell without using up the sole available standard action would work, though.

However, for purposes of spells specifically, attacks include any directly offensive action, including spells that do not have attack rolls. This is usually relevant for spells such as sanctuary that end if the caster makes an attack, but it would seem that greater blink uses the same definition, which is more specific than the general glossary definition. As such, it is technically possible.

Sith_Happens

2014-02-25, 08:35 PM

Halaster's Teleport Cage (Waterdeep) doesn't stop teleportation entirely, but it does randomize it.

It does make it impossible to teleport from a point outside the area to a point inside it, or vice-versa.

Necroticplague

2014-02-25, 08:39 PM

Q 48
When using a point buy for abilities, can one decrease an ability below the default (8) in order to acquire greater scores in other areas?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-25, 08:42 PM

A 047 No.

Each element of this collection specifies that you can use the spell in question, as opposed to cast that spell. To add metamagic you must cast the spell.
Metamagic Feats

As a spellcaster’s knowledge of magic grows, she can learn to cast spells in ways slightly different from the ways in which the spells were originally designed or learned. Preparing and casting a spell in such a way is harder than normal but, thanks to metamagic feats, at least it is possible. Spells modified by a metamagic feat use a spell slot higher than normal. This does not change the level of the spell, so the DC for saving throws against it does not go up.

qwertyu63

2014-02-25, 08:44 PM

Q 48
When using a point buy for abilities, can one decrease an ability below the default (8) in order to acquire greater scores in other areas?

A 48
No, you can not.

AlanBruce

2014-02-25, 08:45 PM

Q. 49

Can you use a readied action (which is a standard) and then move and use swift/immediate actions?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-25, 09:03 PM

Irk

2014-02-25, 09:09 PM

unseenmage

2014-02-25, 09:32 PM

Q50

Is there an existing Staff or Rod or Wondrous Item printed anywhere with the spell True Creation in it?

TuggyNE

2014-02-25, 09:46 PM

A 049 Partly.

Ready requires a standard action to set up, and then another action (free, move, or standard) to use. That's pretty much all the D&D action economy allows in one turn. You are left with the options to use free actions (as your DM allows), and a swift action if you still have one available; that's all. You may use a move action with Ready only if that's the action you readied.

A049 dispute: Readying cannot require another action to use, because characters do not have two standard actions in a turn, and readying works between turns. Also, readying has an explicit provision for movement in the same turn: "You can take a 5-foot step as part of your readied action, but only if you don’t otherwise move any distance during the round." This provision would make little or no sense if it were impossible to take move actions along with the standard action that sets up the readied action.

Finally, of course, readying does not in fact say that it requires another action usage; you can ready any of three action types, but those are provided as part of the standard action required to ready.

Curmudgeon

2014-02-25, 10:27 PM

Re: A 049 dispute
Readying cannot require another action to use, because characters do not have two standard actions in a turn, and readying works between turns.
I'll admit my answer could have been phrased better.
Ready

The ready action lets you prepare to take an action later, after your turn is over but before your next one has begun. Readying is a standard action. Setting up a readied action is a standard action. However, the readied action is basically that same action, continued — even if that action is of another type. It is not, as I stated, another action; what I meant was it was potentially another type of action rather than the standard action required to initiate Ready.

I apologize for the confusion.

kkplx

2014-02-25, 10:54 PM

Q 51

Creatures with a reach smaller than 5 ft have enter someone's square to attack them - assuming non-difficult terrain, is it correct to conclude that the existance of the 5ft step results in them being extremely inefficient, since the target can 5ft step every turn to force another AoO by the creature on its turn if it wishes to continue attacking?

Fitz10019

2014-02-25, 11:09 PM

Q52
A Safewing Emblem (MICp131) says activation immediate (mental). It refers to 'any height up to 180 feet.' If you fall from a height of 300 feet, can you activate it for that last 180 feet? If so, wouldn't that make the limitation effectively meaningless?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-25, 11:33 PM

A 051

You're overlooking the options for the Tiny or smaller creature to avoid the AoO that movement into another creature's square normally provokes. Those include using their own 5' step, making a successful Tumble check, and not being visually apparent (because you can't make an AoO against a character with total concealment).

Additionally, there's no requirement for very small creatures to enter melee combat. Their size bonuses work fine for ranged attacks also.

Fitz10019

2014-02-25, 11:40 PM

Q53
Can Quaal's Feather Token: Bird (DMG 264) be used to pinpoint an invisible creature?

kkplx

2014-02-26, 12:37 AM

Q 54

About 5ft steps:

Can you:

5ft step diagonally past an enemy? (H=Hero, E=Enemy, O=Space, O=intended Square)
OHO
OEO
OOO

5ft step around a corner?

OHO
--¬O
__|O

Both examples assume that the line you draw from your square to the intended square crosses the barrier/enemy square while still measuring as 5 feet.

And can you actually 5ft step into an enemy's square if you're small enough? o0

Andezzar

2014-02-26, 02:07 AM

Re: A 46

However, for purposes of spells specifically, attacks include any directly offensive action, including spells that do not have attack rolls. This is usually relevant for spells such as sanctuary that end if the caster makes an attack, but it would seem that greater blink uses the same definition, which is more specific than the general glossary definition. As such, it is technically possible.There is no such general rule. Only certain spells (invisibility etc.) have such a rule, Greater Blink does not. As such only the standard definition of attack applies.
For purposes of this spell, an attack includes any spell targeting a foe or whose area or effect includes a foe.
Contrary to what you and I thought Sanctuary does not use the extended definition:
This spell does not prevent the warded creature from being attacked or affected by area or effect spells. The subject cannot attack without breaking the spell but may use nonattack spells or otherwise act.

A 54

5ft step diagonally past an enemy? (H=Hero, E=Enemy, O=Space, O=intended Square)
OHO
OEO
OOO

5ft step around a corner?

OHO
--¬O
__|O

Both examples assume that the line you draw from your square to the intended square crosses the barrier/enemy square while still measuring as 5 feet.Yes, but it would take several rounds, unless you are somehow allowed to make more then one 5 ft step.

And can you actually 5ft step into an enemy's square if you're small enough? o0Only if the creature is or becomes helpless before the end of your movement:
You can’t end your movement in the same square as another creature unless it is helpless.This by extension means that tiny and smaller creatures can only make standard attacks in melee and can only do so if they have the spring attack feat.

Sith_Happens

2014-02-26, 02:36 AM

A 46 dispute to the dispute

Some spell descriptions refer to attacking. All offensive combat actions, even those that don’t damage opponents are considered attacks. Attempts to turn or rebuke undead count as attacks. All spells that opponents resist with saving throws, that deal damage, or that otherwise harm or hamper subjects are attacks. Spells that summon monsters or other allies are not attacks because the spells themselves don’t harm anyone.

Curmudgeon

2014-02-26, 02:48 AM

Fitz10019

2014-02-26, 03:24 AM

A 54 correction

...You can't move diagonally past a corner (even by taking a 5-foot step). You can move diagonally past a creature, even an opponent.

...Creatures may occupy the same square if they are three or more size categories different.
Look at that section for some detailed examples including opponents sharing squares while neither is helpless/unconscious.

A 54Only if the creature is or becomes helpless before the end of your movement:This by extension means that tiny and smaller creatures can only make standard attacks in melee and can only do so if they have the spring attack feat.
This reference to 'only if... helpless' is too broad for a question about creature sizes.

This reference to tiny creatures and Spring Attack is simply not true.

Fitz10019

2014-02-26, 03:50 AM

A 053

Maybe, but only in the special case in which you are already able to designate the target. ("An invisible creature nearby" is not a target designation.) You could pinpoint the location of an invisible friend if you specified them as the target to the Bird, and then succeeded in a Spot check to see where the Bird delivered the note.

Q53 followup
A If I spend 3 rounds fighting a creature, then see him/her/it disappear (by potion/spell/SLA), and then activate the Bird feather token, will the bird successfully go to the invisible creature that I can only identify from this encounter?
B If I am searching the office of a person I have met before, find a hot cup of tea, suspect that person is in the room invisibly or hiding, and then activate the Bird feather token, will the bird successfully go to the person?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-26, 04:44 AM

A 053 followup

A You'll have to ask your DM. I don't of any RAW citations which would say if 3 rounds of combat, where you're concentrating on staying alive, would be enough acquaintance to designate a target suitably for a magic device. The spell Locate Creature would fail with such a poorly-known target. Parallels for magical identification exist for "viewed once" to designate a location (for Teleport), but that spell has a built-in degradation of effectiveness for poor targeting.

B Probably.

If they're invisible or nearby is not the issue; the ability to designate a target is. You may succeed in designating a target and have the Bird fly all the way across town when an acquaintance of the target has set down their beverage on the desk.

unseenmage

2014-02-26, 07:46 AM

Q55

What happens when a creature stops being a (I hesitate to use the word legal) lets say viable target for a spell?

I don't know of many examples but here are the one's I do know of,
a) A Construct affected by Greater Humanoid Essence is then affected by Telepathic Bond or similar. What happens when the GHE duration expires and the Humanoid is now a Construct immune to mind-affecting?

b) A corpse is affected by Animate Objects but is then brought back to life by Resurrection or similar. What happens to the Animate Objects effect now that the corpse it was cast on is a living thing again?

If there is no RAW on these specific instances that's fine, but I suspect there's some RAW somewhere about spells affecting targets and what happens when those targets sudden;y become immune to those spells.

TuggyNE

2014-02-26, 08:09 AM

Flame of Anor

2014-02-26, 08:21 AM

How does "other squares" include the primary one? If this included the first square, this would either mean that one of the surrounding squares is not adjacent to the primary one or that the whole sentence is meaningless because it does not tell us the maximum number of squares each square is adjacent to but just an arbitrary number below that maximum.

The "other" squares don't include the primary one. It's like saying "I have eight brothers in red shirts" doesn't imply that you have no brothers in yellow shirts. Just because there are eight other squares adjacent to the primary square doesn't mean that they are the only adjacent ones: the primary square itself is not "other", so it doesn't count as one of the eight. I claim that the primary square is adjacent to itself, making nine adjacent squares: eight "others", and one "same". If they wrote it out in full, the text would read "A square is adjacent to eight other squares [as well as to itself]."

Granted, this might not be intended. But it is what the rules say: the square itself does meet the criterion of sharing a side or corner, and it is not covered by the "eight other squares" clause.

unseenmage

2014-02-26, 08:23 AM

A55 partial: No discussion has so far turned up any rules on this in the years I've been here, and I am reasonably certain from considerable study that Core has no such rule at all. Therefore I suspect there is no RAW answer, or if there is it is not widely known at all.

I was afraid you'd say that.
To my mind it becomes a binary problem then. Either they work and do as much as they can or they don't and stop applying when the target becomes illegal.

Thanks anyway RAW Q&A thread people. Seriously, you guys do not get enough thanks, so thank you for all your help past present and future. :smallsmile:

Chronos

2014-02-26, 09:24 AM

Q 55 addendum:

If spells stopped functioning when their targets became invalid, then Greater Humanoid Essence all by itself would be dysfunctional: It targets constructs, and then immediately changes their type to humanoid.

Telonius

2014-02-26, 09:50 AM

Q 56

If a substitution level (for example, Zhentarim Fighter) grants a new skill as a class skill, is that applicable only at the level indicated, or for all future levels of the class? Taking the Zhentarim Fighter example, would the Fighter have to spend one skill point or two if he wanted to gain a single rank in Bluff at Fighter4?

_felagund

2014-02-26, 09:54 AM

Q57

What the heck "Identify does not function when used on an artifact." means at the definition of Identify spell?

Telonius

2014-02-26, 09:58 AM

A57
An Artifact is a special class of magical item. You can find a list of them here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/artifacts.htm). They're usually very powerful. The wording of the spell means that if you attempt to cast Identify on an Artifact, the spell doesn't work.

Andezzar

2014-02-26, 10:01 AM

The "other" squares don't include the primary one. It's like saying "I have eight brothers in red shirts" doesn't imply that you have no brothers in yellow shirts. Just because there are eight other squares adjacent to the primary square doesn't mean that they are the only adjacent ones: the primary square itself is not "other", so it doesn't count as one of the eight. I claim that the primary square is adjacent to itself, making nine adjacent squares: eight "others", and one "same". If they wrote it out in full, the text would read "A square is adjacent to eight other squares [as well as to itself]."I disagree that that is the same as what the rules say.

Granted, this might not be intended. But it is what the rules say: the square itself does meet the criterion of sharing a side or corner, and it is not covered by the "eight other squares" clause.I disagree. All standard definitions of share (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/share) as a transitive verb require a third party. So a square cannot share a border with itself.

OMG PONIES

2014-02-26, 10:08 AM

Re: Adjacent Squares: Time for a separate thread.

Q 56

If a substitution level (for example, Zhentarim Fighter) grants a new skill as a class skill, is that applicable only at the level indicated, or for all future levels of the class? Taking the Zhentarim Fighter example, would the Fighter have to spend one skill point or two if he wanted to gain a single rank in Bluff at Fighter4?

A56: Only at the level indicated. While the example you list is from a Champions of Valor web enhancement, neither the WE nor Champions of Valor has the below text:

When a substitution level changes the standard class’s Hit Die or class skill list, the change applies only to that substitution level, not to any other class levels

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-26, 11:02 AM

A 45

Yes, those are four different spells. Not only do you need to prepare them separately, you also have to learn them separately.

A 45, Continuation:

Except for a Nar Demonbinder. They can spontaneously alter a known protection from X spell to any of the other alignments.

TheG

2014-02-26, 12:06 PM

Hi everyone

Q58:In Polymorph Any Object (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/polymorphAnyObject.htm) Does the HD-Limit from Polymorhp still apply ?

The assumed form can’t have more Hit Dice than your caster level (or the subject’s HD, whichever is lower), to a maximum of 15 HD at 15th level
Q58-A If i (assume 15th level wizard) polymorph a 1hd commoner, could i choose from 1hd-only monsters or any form i choose is downgraded to 1hd (I refeer at the table of examples where a lizard (1/8HD) is transmuted to a Manticore (6HD)
Q58-B Alter self no-template limitation still apply? (In Dragon 324p65 when I was browsing for that druid skin, I came across the actual recommendation of using Polymorph Any Object to turn a squirrel corpse into a templated dragon turtle. Domo Arigato Mr Roboto has been confirmed as RAI.)

TrueJordan

2014-02-26, 12:57 PM

Q 59

Let's say I'm a druid 5/Planar Shepherd 6 with the Realm of Dream (so magical beasts are OK no matter what), with a Skin of Keltar (which gives me +4 to my wildshape level, OP, I know) Does that allow me to turn into a huge creature with 15 HD? It's a bit unclear (http://www.scribd.com/doc/108544523/Dragon-Magazine-324 pg 76 or so)

Curmudgeon

2014-02-26, 01:35 PM

A 058 Yes.

A 058-A 1 HD creatures only.

The example table does not specify how many HD the Lizard to be turned into a Manticore has. You follow the text of the RAW instead of guessing at how the examples might include some unspecified exceptions.

A 058-B

No templates are allowed with Polymorph Any Object, as it inherits this restriction via Polymorph and Alter Self. A Dragon Turtle (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/dragonTurtle.htm) is not a templated creature, and the specific mention of Polymorph Any Object you reference does not include any templates:
Of course, your DM might not always present such creatures for your party to slay, but that's why your necromancer has a transmuter ally with access to polymorph any object. The skeleton of a squirrel can become the dead body of a dragon turtle with the casting of a single spell. Corpses are objects and thus have no HD.

Polymorph Any Object is a problematic spell. Following the RAW, the Marionette to Human transformation would produce the corpse of a Human, because the spell provides no mechanism to create HD.

AlanBruce

2014-02-26, 02:05 PM

Q.60

If a Caster is protected by a solid fog and another caster throws an area version of dispel magic, can he attempt to dispel the fog and any 1 buff the hidden caster has on him?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-26, 02:21 PM

A 060 Yes.

The operative word here is "try". There is no guarantee that the 20' radius burst of Dispel Magic would catch both the origin point of the Solid Fog spell and the spellcaster who cast the spell. In the worst case you would end up just temporarily dispelling part of the Solid Fog effect, which would immediately spread out again from its origin point.

Zethex

2014-02-26, 03:31 PM

Q 061:

Do familiars get their own turn each round or do they share it with their masters? If it is the former, what Initiative do they use? Does their Empathic Link have any mechanical impact on their master regarding Initiative, Flat-Footedness or Surprise Rounds?

AlanBruce

2014-02-26, 03:44 PM

Q. 062

Can a targeted spell like dispel magic, go through a cloudy conjuration with a 50% miss chance, or is it completely negated?

Flame of Anor

2014-02-26, 04:36 PM

I disagree. All standard definitions of share (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/share) as a transitive verb require a third party. So a square cannot share a border with itself.

2b: "To have in common." Does not mention a third party.

Andezzar

2014-02-26, 04:42 PM

2b: "To have in common." Does not mention a third party.Can you have something in common (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in+common?show=0&t=1393450832) with yourself?

broodax

2014-02-26, 04:58 PM

Can you have something in common (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in+common?show=0&t=1393450832) with yourself?

2 a : belonging to or shared by two or more individuals or things or by all members of a group

Yes. The edge/corner belongs to all the members of the group of characters: {you}

Andezzar

2014-02-26, 05:05 PM

Yes. The edge/corner belongs to all the members of the group of characters: {you}If you are talking about mathematical groups, yes, but in common parlance one is not a group. BTW {you} is never alone {you}={you,∅} :smallwink:

Darrin

2014-02-26, 05:28 PM

Q63

A fighter puts on a "bead of calming" (Arms & Equipment Guide p. 135). Assume this is a 3.5 game, and although the animal friendship spell no longer exists, we can use the "minor adjustment" clause from the 3.5 DMG to say that druids/rangers can identify this item by wearing it, and a friendly druid/ranger has done this already and explained its use to the fighter. There doesn't appear to be any text that says using the bead is linked to being able to identify it by yourself.

Can the fighter use the bead of calming to cast calm animals?

Ruut

2014-02-26, 05:42 PM

Q: 64

I have an epic level leadership score of 62, which is off the printed chart. Attempting to continue the chart using the progression listed, the Extra Followers feat, the Legendary Commander feat, Orc Warlord prestige class; is my calculations below correct:

1st Level: 128,000; 2nd Level: 12,800; 3rd Level: 6,400; 4th Level: 3,200; 5th Level: 1,600; 6th Level: 800; 7th Level: 400; 8th Level: 200; 9th Level: 100; 10th Level: 50; 11th Level: 25; 12th Level: 13; 13th Level: 7; 14th Level: 4

Or is my math flawed?

unseenmage

2014-02-26, 05:51 PM

Q: 775/63 (Not really understanding the Number System)

I have an epic level leadership score of 62, which is off the printed chart. Attempting to continue the chart using the progression listed, the Extra Followers feat, the Legendary Commander feat, Orc Warlord prestige class; is my calculations below correct:

1st Level: 128,000; 2nd Level: 12,800; 3rd Level: 6,400; 4th Level: 3,200; 5th Level: 1,600; 6th Level: 800; 7th Level: 400; 8th Level: 200; 9th Level: 100; 10th Level: 50; 11th Level: 25; 12th Level: 13; 13th Level: 7; 14th Level: 4

Or is my math flawed?

A64

The book Power of Faerun has the rules for extreme numbers of Followers, among other things. It also uncouples the Cohort score and the Follower score so you have a normal leveled Cohort and many more Followers allowed than in the DMG.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-26, 06:11 PM

Q65

Does Virtue stack with itself? If I cast it on the same person twice, can I give them 2 temporary HP?

Rev666

2014-02-26, 06:21 PM

Q66

Does DR work against falling damage?

Dude_Here

2014-02-26, 06:41 PM

Q67

Would a caster of an area Dispel Magic spell have his own spells affected if they
fall within the spells area?

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-26, 06:45 PM

Q66

Does DR work against falling damage?

A 66: Yes.

Zethex

2014-02-26, 06:47 PM

Re-posting because of page change.

Q 061:

Do familiars get their own turn each round or do they share it with their masters? If it is the former, what Initiative do they use? Does their Empathic Link have any mechanical impact on their master regarding Initiative, Flat-Footedness or Surprise Rounds?

Necroticplague

2014-02-26, 06:47 PM

Q65

Does Virtue stack with itself? If I cast it on the same person twice, can I give them 2 temporary HP?
No, spell effects don't normally stack, and this is no exception.

Q66

Does DR work against falling damage?
No, DR protects against certain things (weapons and natural attacks), falling damage not being on that list.

Q67

Would a caster of an area Dispel Magic spell have his own spells affected if they
fall within the spells area?
Yes, area spells have friendly fire by default, including yourself.Its just as if you had put yourself in the area of a fireball you cast.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-26, 07:12 PM

Thurbane

2014-02-26, 07:29 PM

Q 069

Is the Aberration Banemagic feat (LoM) superseded by the Bane Magic feat (HoH)? If not, could you take both, and apply effects from both if you chose Aberrations for the Bane Magic feat (i.e. +4d6 damage from your spells against aberrations)?

Cardea

2014-02-26, 08:39 PM

Q70

How do you get Telepathy, outside of being an Illithid or taking the level 5 Psion ACF?

Eaglejarl

2014-02-26, 08:59 PM

A70

A few options:

- Helm of Telepathy
- Telepathic Bond
- Greater Telepathic Bond
- Interplanar Telepathic Bond

There are probably others

nyjastul69

2014-02-26, 09:01 PM

A 70 Addition: The Mindbender PrC from Complete Arcane also gives telepathy.

Thurbane

2014-02-26, 09:01 PM

A 070 cont.

As per lists of stuff (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1412.0):

Telepathic Bond, spell, SRD
Mindlink, power, XPH
Animal Lord 8, ecl 13, Complete Adventurer, 100' with selected animal totem
Mindbender 1, ecl 6, Complete Arcane, 100'
Incarnate 7 (Tiefling substitution level), Magic of Incarnum, 100'
Shedu Crown, soulmeld, Magic of Incarnum, 100'
Soulspeaker Circlet, soulmeld, Magic of Incarnum, 20'/essentia
Ghostwise Halfling, race (LA+0), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, 20'
Hellbred (spirit aspect), race, Fiendish Codex II, 100' at 15 HD
Psion 5 (Telepath), Mind's Eye expanded class (link), 5'/manifester level
Demonbinder 1, ecl 8, Drow of the Underdark, 100'
Planeshifter 7, ecl 16, Manual of the Planes, 100'

Zethex

2014-02-26, 09:55 PM

Q 71

Can you make functional arrows for yourself with Profession (Fletcher)? If yes, is there any specific cost/time/effort involved according to RAW? Can you make magical arrows like a crafter?

KillianHawkeye

2014-02-26, 10:12 PM

A 71

You use the Craft skill for making things, not Profession. Making arrows would probably fall under Craft (bowmaking). To make magical arrows, you need to be a spellcaster and take the Craft Magic Arms & Armor feat.

Duke of Urrel

2014-02-26, 10:22 PM

Q68

Is it possible to starve to death?

According to the starvation rules, if you go long enough without eating you will eventually fall unconscious, and will continue taking nonlethal damage until you get food. Does nonlethal damage ever convert to lethal damage? Or, in a survival situation where you have 3 people and only enough food for 1, could you load 2 of the party on a wagon and have the one guy that you can actually feed spend a couple of months pulling you a thousand miles to food and safety?

Separately: Thank you to all the people who take the time to answer these questions. It's appreciated.

A 68

Yes, it is possible to starve to death in D&D. The Rules Compendium has closed the loophole. The following rule appears on page 140:

"A creature that falls unconscious from nonlethal damage due to starvation or thirst begins to take the same amount of lethal damage instead."

Flame of Anor

2014-02-26, 10:31 PM

If you are talking about mathematical groups, yes, but in common parlance one is not a group. BTW {you} is never alone {you}={you,∅} :smallwink:

We left "common parlance" behind a long time ago. If we're bringing in dictionary definitions, it's certainly licit to bring in mathematical definitions too.

KillianHawkeye

2014-02-26, 10:33 PM

We left "common parlance" behind a long time ago. If we're bringing in dictionary definitions, it's certainly licit to bring in mathematical definitions too.

Isn't the scope of the mathematical definition limited to questions of mathematics?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-26, 10:38 PM

A 061

All characters follow the same initiative determination procedure unless otherwise stated, and there's nothing in the rules which overrides this for familiars.

A 062

A targeted spell with an invalid target is not negated; instead, the casting fails and the spell is lost with no effect.
Spell Failure

If you ever try to cast a spell in conditions where the characteristics of the spell cannot be made to conform, the casting fails and the spell is wasted.

A 069

These are different feats with different names. Their benefits will stack with each other.

AlanBruce

2014-02-27, 04:14 AM

Q.072

If someone is hit by an antimagic ray and they have X number of buffs on them, are these supressed, or do they continue to function?

For example, someone with haste, protection from good, cat's grace, etc. Would the ray remove them for the spell's duration?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-27, 05:18 AM

A 072

All spells or magical effects are suppressed for the duration of the Antimagic Ray effect.

Kred

2014-02-27, 05:23 AM

Q73
A warrior + a prestige
"+1 level of existing class" Does it mean a warrior will get bonus warrior feat (according to his lvl)?

Andezzar

2014-02-27, 05:36 AM

A 73

No, the Warrior (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/npcClasses/warrior.htm) does not get any bonus feats. You are probably thinking about the Fighter (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/fighter.htm). If so, the answer is still no most likely, since nearly all classes I can think of that have this line in their table (which is under the header spellcasting BTW), explain in their rules text that this only refers to spellcasting. What PrC are you talking about?
I can only think of one exception: The Legacy Champion. He gets the class features of another class as if he leveled in that class. In this case you could get the fighter bonus feats.

Thurbane

2014-02-27, 05:40 AM

AlanBruce

2014-02-27, 07:16 AM

Q.072 A (continued)

In the aforementioned case, that someone got hit with an antimagic ray and had his buffs suppressed, what would happen if said target were in a magical space, such as a Force Cage? Would he be able to walk out of it easily?

What about drinking a potion to heal himself?

Eaglejarl

2014-02-27, 08:41 AM

Q74

Wall of Magma says, in part:
If any 5-foot section of the wall takes 40 points of cold damage or more in a round, that section hardens into normal stone (hardness 8, 15 hit points per inch of thickness), which can then be chipped or broken as normal (DC 20 Strength check, +2 per inch of thickness).

Does the "normal stone" vanish at the end of the spell's duration?

Q75

Celestial Brilliance is cast on "an object", but it doesn't specify size. If I create a Wall of X (Magma, Stone / Iron / Salt / Whatever) that is several hundred feet long and cast CB on it, will the entire Wall emit light?

Q76
If I cast CB on a stick and then split the stick in half, do both halves glow?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-27, 09:12 AM

A 074 Yes.

All parts of the Wall of Magma disappear at the end of the spell's duration.

A 075 No.

The effect of the spell is the same regardless of the size of the object touched. A radius (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/radius?s=t&path=/) effect is always with respect to an origin point. The most obvious point would be where the object was touched, but the RAW doesn't actually specify where the point is; it only requires there to be such a point.

A 076 No.

There can only be one origin point for a radius effect. You would need to ask your DM if either piece piece still glows when the original object is broken, since the rules don't indicate what happens then.

Andezzar

2014-02-27, 11:49 AM

Q 77

Is there an irreversible way to lower a mental attribute (similar to aging for the physical ones)?

Q 78

Are there abilities that permanently remove spellcasting?

Khedrac

2014-02-27, 12:46 PM

A 78 Yes
If you cast mage's disjunction at an artifact, succeed and then fail the saving throw you permanently lose all spellcasting abilities - that's one way.

Andezzar

2014-02-27, 02:15 PM

Q 79

Besides insanely/impossibly high manifester level, is there a way for metamorphosis to have a duration >24h?

Q 80

Can you add armor spikes to an already existing suit of armor?

Curmudgeon

2014-02-27, 04:19 PM

A 080 Yes.
Armor Spikes

You can have spikes added to your armor, which allow you to deal extra piercing damage (see Table: Weapons) on a successful grapple attack. The spikes count as a martial weapon. Historically, armor spikes were affixed to leather straps, which were cut and stitched together to fit over the underlying suit of armor. The assemblage was buckled in many places. The rules don't require any extra time to don a suit of armor with spikes (which isn't historically accurate).

From a RAW perspective the fact that armor spikes are a weapon, not armor, means that if you can add spikes to a suit of armor, that act would not involve any change to the crafting of the armor. Hence the addition of the armor spikes can be at initial crafting or any later time.

AlanBruce

2014-02-27, 04:24 PM

Q. 81

Maybe I misread the spell description, but someone struck by an antimagic ray (SpC) can negate the effect with a will save? I thought it was only for objects, since the descriptor states that, but then goes off on a tangent.

Curmudgeon

2014-02-27, 04:35 PM

A 081 Correct.

Antimagic Ray requires both a ranged touch attack on the part of the attacker and a failed Will save on the part of the target. The Ray only strikes successfully if the target fails the save.
You must succeed on a ranged touch attack with the ray to strike a target. The target, if struck, functions as if it were inside an antimagic field (PH 200) if it fails its Will save.

Chronos

2014-02-27, 05:41 PM

When a spell says (object) in the save line of its descriptor, that just means that it can be cast on objects, not that it can only be cast on objects.

Xaroth

2014-02-27, 07:48 PM

Q 82

Which races give the greatest racial bonuses ability-wise? LA isn't an issue.

Xaroth

2014-02-27, 08:49 PM

Q 83

Which book contains the information pertaining to how to play a Succubus character?

Karnith

2014-02-27, 08:56 PM

Q 83

Which book contains the information pertaining to how to play a Succubus character?
A 83

The Monster Manual contains information on the Succubus on pages 47-48 (which can also be found on the SRD here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/demon.htm#succubus)). The Dungeon Master's Guide contains rules for playing a monster character on pages 172-173 (with a corresponding SRD section here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monstersAsRaces.htm)). Savage Species has a 3.0 Succubus monster class on pages 195-197.

unseenmage

2014-02-27, 11:38 PM

Q84

I've seen it somewhere before but can't for the life of me remember where...

Could someone list for me the feats that allow a fighter to be considered a Spellcaster for qualifying for PrCs and Item Creation Feats?

squiggit

2014-02-28, 12:41 AM

Q85 I'm slightly confused as to the workings of the epic spell Spell Worm.

If the victim fails their save they lose a standard action and a spell slot (starting with their highest level spells) every round until they're out of spells or 20 hours passes.

The part that confuses me is such: The spell states that the caster is unaware that they've lost their spells unless they try casting the missing spell... but it also says that in the case of prepared spells they subject gets to choose which spell they lose.

I'm not sure how to reconcile this.

babus

2014-02-28, 01:06 AM

Q86

Can a character with Slight Build or Powerful Build wear armor intended for creatures respectively one size smaller/larger than they are?

Andezzar

2014-02-28, 01:42 AM

A 85

The asnwer to this question goes beyond the scope of this thread.

A 86 partial

Powerful Build says nothing about changing the rules for armor, so no. I cannot find slight build.

Cardea

2014-02-28, 01:43 AM

Q87

What are some ways, either via gold or feat, that lets you count yourself as an aberration, dragon, elemental, magical beast or plant type? (In the pursuit of obtaining Rapidstrike.)

Curmudgeon

2014-02-28, 03:18 AM

A 086 additional

Still no. Slight Build is detailed here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060420a), and makes no reference to fitting into armor of a different (smaller) size than is normal for the creature's size.

A 087 partial

A Kobold with the Dragonwrought feat gains the Dragon type.

Andezzar

2014-02-28, 03:54 AM

Q 88

Do the rules about losing special abilities from prestige classes in Complete Arcane and Complete Warrior apply to all PrCs or only those presented in those books? Please provide an explanation for your answer.

Curmudgeon

2014-02-28, 04:39 AM

A 088 Only those books.

I'll give you three explanations, any one of which would be adequate:

These are two substantially different rules. It's impossible for them to coexist.
The Dungeon Master's Guide is the primary source book for how prestige classes work. In that book is the Dragon Disciple class. If either the Complete Warrior or Complete rule had general scope, the Dragon Disciple at attaining level 10 ceases to qualify for the PrC, and thus the DMG text of what is gained at that level disagrees with what class features are present using either of those rules. The Primary Sources Errata Rule specifies that, in the case of such a disagreement, the primary source is correct, meaning the conflicting rule cannot be correct. Consequently either those two rules are entirely null and void, or they cannot apply with general scope.
The text of the two books details their scope: The Martial Prestige Classes (a term unique to that book) for the Complete Warrior rule, and "nineteen prestige classes appropriate for arcane spellcasters" for Complete Arcane's rule.

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-28, 06:44 AM

Q89: Are there any other base class users/casters of invocations besides Warlock and Dragonfire Adept?

Chronos

2014-02-28, 08:32 AM

A 84:

The feat Magical Training lets you cast three cantrips of your choice. It's only available to elves or humans, and only at first level.

A 89:

Dragon Magic contains a class variant for the Dragon Shaman that allows it to learn a single invocation. This is the only instance of any base class other than Warlock or Dragonfire Adept ever using any invocations.

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-28, 10:32 AM

Q 90: Are there any templates to turn another creature into a Ooze?
Gelatinous Creature actually turns one into an aberration, not an ooze.
Living Spell only applies to spells, not creatures.

ZamielVanWeber

2014-02-28, 10:46 AM

A 77
Yes. Certain feats and class features will lower stats upon acquisition.

Andezzar

2014-02-28, 10:47 AM

Re: A 77

A 77
Yes. Certain feats and class features will lower stats upon acquisition.Can you name some?

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-28, 11:14 AM

A 89:

Dragon Magic contains a class variant for the Dragon Shaman that allows it to learn a single invocation. This is the only instance of any base class other than Warlock or Dragonfire Adept ever using any invocations.[/QUOTE]

Q89 followup

Thank you, do you have the issue #?

ksbsnowowl

2014-02-28, 12:09 PM

A 89:

Dragon Magic contains a class variant for the Dragon Shaman that allows it to learn a single invocation. This is the only instance of any base class other than Warlock or Dragonfire Adept ever using any invocations.

Q89 followup

Thank you, do you have the issue #?
Dragon Magic, not Dragon Magazine. Dragon Magic is a hard cover book published by WotC, roughly 2007 or 2008.

supertishguy

2014-02-28, 12:37 PM

Q# 91

Is an undead PC a valid target for a spell that requires the target to be "one living creature"?
Thanks!

Andezzar

2014-02-28, 12:41 PM

A 91

No, undead are not living creatures. That a creature is a PC is irrelevant.

TrueJordan

2014-02-28, 12:58 PM

Q 92

Within Wild Shape, can you transform into many things per minute while still using only one use of Wild Shape?

Chronos

2014-02-28, 01:13 PM

A 92:
No, each change of form (other than reverting to your normal form) uses up one of your daily uses.

Eskil

2014-02-28, 01:25 PM

Q 93

If a psion targets an ethereal creature with the Dimension Swap (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/dimensionSwap.htm) power modified by the Transdimensional metapsionic feat, do they switch planes as well as places?

Eaglejarl

2014-02-28, 02:02 PM

Q94

In 2YE, I am going to rule that ring gates allow light and light-based effects (e.g. Celestial Brilliance) to pass through the gate. In essence, I am deciding that the ring pairs *are* the same point, and should be treated as such.

Is there any clear-cut RAW that prevents this, or am I in the clear?

Andezzar

2014-02-28, 02:07 PM

Q 95

What's 2YE?

Tryxx

2014-02-28, 02:11 PM

Q96

Could Xykon use Shapechange?

I assume when the spell description says "this spell functions like Polymorph" the "Target: You" overrides Polymorph's "Target: Willing living creature touched" - especially since Shapechange allows forms of any type.

EDIT: Looks like question 96 was deleted.

Eaglejarl

2014-02-28, 02:16 PM

A95

What's 2YE?

Sorry, 2YE == "The Two Year Emperor", the story I'm writing (it's not a campaign, just a story). Link and description in signature.

Dharack

2014-02-28, 03:34 PM

Q97
I'm currently discussing teleportation with my party and I'm on the assumption that you can't teleport into the air, since the explanation for Conjuration spells says the following, while my players think otherwise:

"A creature or object brought into being or transported to your location by a conjuration spell cannot appear inside another creature or object, nor can it appear floating in an empty space. It must arrive in an open location on a surface capable of supporting it."

Even though this speaks of creatures transported to your location specifically, why would it be otherwise with transporting yourself?

Eaglejarl

2014-02-28, 03:39 PM

Q97
Even though this speaks of creatures transported to your location specifically, why would it be otherwise with transporting yourself?

RAW means literally what's written on the page, and that passage doesn't use the word "you", so it doesn't apply. Nothing in the description of Teleport or Greater Teleport explicitly says that you must teleport onto a surface. There may be other rulings that say you do, but the passage you quote isn't relevant.

Kryx

2014-02-28, 03:43 PM

Q98

If a Small creature is sharing the square of a Large or bigger creature and that Large creature dies are there any official rules for that creature falling on and potentially hurting the small creature?

Currently we're using Reflex DC 1/2 monster HD or take damage as a houserule. If there are no RAW rules feel free to critique that rule or I can make a post on homebrew if that is more appropriate.

Sharing a square of a creature 2 sizes larger done via Underfoot Combat: "You can move into or through a square occupied by a creature at least two size categories larger than you..."

Mordrigar

2014-02-28, 03:46 PM

Q99

How does "Haste" spell effect Hydra? How many attacks will 12-Headed Hydra have while under effect of haste spell? 24 or 13?

Kryx

2014-02-28, 03:50 PM

A99

By RAW, none. Haste reads "When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with any weapon he is holding".
The hydra is holding no weapons and therefore gains no attacks via haste.

However that rule is really dumb for Natural Attackers and Unarmed strikers and I'd suggest take the RAI implementation of "wielded weapon". If that counts then the Hydra gets 1 extra attack. Again the same text: "When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with any weapon he is holding". It is one extra attack with any weapon, not one extra attack with each weapon.

You can see this used in Pathfinder: "When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured weapon". http://paizo.com/prd/spells/haste.html

Duke of Urrel

2014-02-28, 04:01 PM

A 97 Confirmation

The phrase "brought into being" cannot apply to you, because you already exist and cannot be brought into being. The phrase "transported to your location" also cannot apply to you, because you are already in your location and cannot be transported there. So the rule that you quoted does not apply to you or to creatures or objects that you teleport with you to some other location.

EDIT: I see that Eaglejarl has beaten me to the punch, but since my reasoning is a little different, I'll present it here, anyway.

KillianHawkeye

2014-02-28, 04:20 PM

A 97 additional

It seems clear that the quoted text is referring only to creatures that are Called or Summoned to your location, or those that are Created. It would not apply to spells from the Healing or Teleportation sub-schools.

This is to prevent one from summoning a whale above your enemy's head and crushing them to death, or other such shenanigans.

Curmudgeon

2014-02-28, 04:31 PM

A 098 No.

There's no such specific rule. If a Small- creature can avoid being damaged by an active Large+ creature in their shared space, that creature simply dropping in place when they die will generally pose no additional difficulty. Because dead creatures become objects (corpses), the relevant RAW is in two parts:

The Damage from Falling Objects table here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/environment.htm#fallingObjects), which requires that the object drop a minimum of 10 feet before it causes any damage. (A Huge creature is the smallest size with a center of gravity at least 10' above the ground.)
Heroes of Battle provides a rule whereby an unaimed dropping object can be avoided with a DC 15 Reflex save; see page 68. Note: this is the same save for avoiding damage from a collapsing ceiling trap (the closest parallel) in Dungeon Master's Guide.

Tarlek Flamehai

2014-02-28, 05:03 PM

Q100: Is it legal to gain additional, permanent feats via a spell (ie limited wish, wish, miracle)?

Andezzar

2014-02-28, 05:14 PM

A 100

Limited wish: Only if your DM agrees that gaining a Feat is equivalent to:
Produce any other effect whose power level is in line with the above effects, such as a single creature automatically hitting on its next attack or taking a -7 penalty on its next saving throw.

Wish: Yes, but it is outside the list of safe effects, so the DM is free to twist your wish as he sees fit

Miracle: Possibly, ask your DM. Depending on his judgment this might be a greater miracle and thus cost 5000 XP.

Thurbane

2014-02-28, 07:12 PM

Q 101

Can a Sorcerer with the Fiend-Blooded PrC create Eternal Wands of non-Sorc/Wiz spells he has picked up through Fiendish Sorcery? If so, these wands are then usable by any arcane caster, yes?

Cardea

2014-02-28, 08:13 PM

Q 102

Are there any hard numbers for how much experience is required for LA Buyoff of +1, +2 or +3?

Taelas

2014-02-28, 08:17 PM

A96:

Yes, Undead creatures can cast shapechange, for the exact reason you cited: unlike polymorph, shapechange does not specify a need for a living target.

As to whether Xykon can, that's a different matter entirely; he would either need a scroll, or to have it on his spell list. As far as we know (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0670.html), he doesn't have it.

A101:
Yes, as long as the spell is of 3rd level or lower. By virtue of it being cast by a sorcerer, the spells qualify as arcane, and can be used to craft eternal wands.

Taelas

2014-02-28, 08:26 PM

A102:

No hard numbers; it depends on your total ECL.

Current ECL -1 x 1000 XP; you are eligible for reductions when reaching class levels equaling 3 times your starting level adjustment.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm

So for a character starting with a +1 level adjustment and no racial hit dice, he can reduce it to zero at class level 3 (ECL 4) for 3,000 XP. If he starts with a +2 level adjustment and no racial hit dice, he can reduce it to 1 at class level 6 (ECL 8) and zero at class level 9 (ECL 10), for 7,000 and 9,000 XP, respectively.

If the character with the +1 level adjustment has 2 racial hit dice, it costs 5,000 XP at class level 3 (ECL 6) to reduce the level adjustment to zero.

bekeleven

2014-02-28, 09:33 PM

Q 103

A 10th-level druid with Constitution of 10 wild shapes into a creature with constitution 20. Wild shape, unlike polymorph, can't change a creature's hit points.

Then, the druid casts bite of the wererat on himself. This brings his effective constitution from 20 to 22 (+2 Enhancement bonus). Does he now have hit points as a 10-Con creature, a 12-Con creature (a constitution value he's never had), a 20-Con creature or a 22-Con creature?

Sith_Happens

2014-02-28, 09:52 PM

ben-zayb

2014-02-28, 10:50 PM

Q104 If you are casting a spell on a full 1 round, say a Summon Monster I spell, when do you determine the kind of creature summoned and the square that it will appear on? At the start or at the end of casting?

bekeleven

2014-02-28, 11:02 PM

A 104

The effects of the spell are determined as the spell resolves. For summon monster, this includes what was summoned and where they are placed.

TuggyNE

2014-02-28, 11:08 PM

A104: At the end.
A spell that takes 1 round to cast is a full-round action. It comes into effect just before the beginning of your turn in the round after you began casting the spell. […]
You make all pertinent decisions about a spell (range, target, area, effect, version, and so forth) when the spell comes into effect.

Taelas

2014-03-01, 12:54 AM

A103:

As a 10-Con character with a +2 enhancement bonus to Con. The enhancement bonus does affect hit points, but the Con change from wild shape doesn't. The actual score doesn't matter, as the result of the enhancement bonus is always the same.

Cardea

2014-03-01, 01:41 AM

Q 104

Assuming three arms/hands, multiweapon fighting and multidexterity and a BAB of +9/+4, how would this come out for iterative attacks, assuming a full attack?

Sir Pippin Boyd

2014-03-01, 01:42 AM

Q105

If I apply the Invisible Spell metamagic to a spell whose mechanical functions are implicitly based on visibility, such as Color Spray, does the spell still function normally?

A104
With Multiweapon Fighting, your iteratives would go from top to bottom

Primary weapon +7
Light offhand weapon +7
Additional light offhand +7
Primary weapon second iterative +2

Multidexterity is a 3.0 feat, and isn't still relevant with the 3.5 changes to dual/multi wielding. Offhand penalties are already negated by Multiweapon Fighting.

Cardea

2014-03-01, 01:55 AM

A104
With Multiweapon Fighting, your iteratives would go from top to bottom

Primary weapon +7
Light offhand weapon +7
Additional light offhand +7
Primary weapon second iterative +2

Multidexterity is a 3.0 feat, and isn't still relevant with the 3.5 changes to dual/multi wielding. Offhand penalties are already negated by Multiweapon Fighting.
Multidexterity was reprinted in Monster Manual II, with the description: The creature ignores all penalties for using an off hand. (http://dndtools.eu/feats/monster-manual-ii--45/multidexterity--2003/)

Curmudgeon

2014-03-01, 02:19 AM

Re: A 104
Multidexterity was reprinted in Monster Manual II, with the description: The creature ignores all penalties for using an off hand. (http://dndtools.eu/feats/monster-manual-ii--45/multidexterity--2003/)
Your citation is incomplete. The feat includes this section:
Special: This feat replaces the Ambidexterity feat for creatures with more than two arms. There is no 3.5 Ambidexterity feat. This line from the Free D&D® v.3.5 Accessory Update booklet feat update table explains the changes from 3.0 to 3.5:

{table=head]Old Feat Name | New Feat Name | Folded Into | Notes
Ambidexterity | n/a | Two-Weapon Fighting |Two-Weapon Fighting includes all benefits[/table]

Because of this update, there is no Multidexterity feat in 3.5 D&D; it's removed with no replacement.

Taelas

2014-03-01, 04:55 AM

Multidexterity was reprinted in Monster Manual II, with the description: The creature ignores all penalties for using an off hand. (http://dndtools.eu/feats/monster-manual-ii--45/multidexterity--2003/)

The Monster Manual II is 3.0 material.

Ruut

2014-03-01, 05:16 AM

Q106

Are the damage values listed for the Black Blood Cultist for a medium creature? I know it doesn't specify, however, the 1d4 bite attack is a very common number on many charts for a medium creatures. It would be difficult to imagine a kobold starting off with a 1d6 claw attack, or a half-ogre with a 1d4 bite.

nene490

2014-03-01, 06:30 AM

what damage should a kobold be dealing with a sling? my DM didn't realize that strength applied to damage with slings until I added my +6 str mod to a damage roll, in the following debate i showed him in the PHB where is states that STR adds to slings as well as thrown objects, however in the Monster manual it states that kobolds deal (1d3) damage with slings (not applying strength penalty) which when getting hit by 30 slings would make a substantial (~20 hp) differnece in damage taken so now we are wondering what damage is supposed to be done by kobolds with slings

Andezzar

2014-03-01, 06:40 AM

A 107

The strength modifier should be added to the damage of a sling just as with thrown weapons. The MM entry and a couple of others is in error. Unfortunately the Errata document for the MM does not adress this. The SRD however does (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/kobold.htm).

kkplx

2014-03-01, 08:51 AM

Q 108

Can the spell Flesh to Stone affect undead, specifically Necropolitan PCs?

If no by RAW, are there RAI examples that show otherwise or existing errata?

Andezzar

2014-03-01, 09:02 AM

A 108

Yes, unless the undead creature is entirely fleshless. So necropolitans and (youngish) liches can be turned to stone.
See below

Chronos

2014-03-01, 09:03 AM

A 108:

Flesh to Stone (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fleshToStone.htm) targets only creatures, and it allows a Fort save. Undead, due to their lack of a Con score, are immune to any effect which allows a Fort save and does not affect objects.

Eskil

2014-03-01, 09:15 AM

Sith_Happens

2014-03-01, 12:06 PM

Q 109

How much experience do each of the following creatures have:

1. A creature with racial hit dice, a level adjustment of at least +0, and no class levels, that has just reached adulthood?

2. A creature with a level adjustment of at least +1 that has just achieved its first class level, and (at least starting at that moment) has no racial hit dice?

3. A creature with racial hit dice and a level adjustment of at least +0 that has just achieved its first class level?

If it affects the answer at all, the reason I'm asking is so that I can estimate (for backstory purposes) how long it took a templated PC to reach his second class level (which makes scenario #2 above the one directly applicable to me), which for obvious reasons depends on whether he had 0 or 1000 XP upon achieving his first class level.

Taelas

2014-03-01, 12:29 PM

A109:

You are not required to have any XP to take your first level in a class, even if you have RHD -- you will simply require that much more XP to reach level 2.

To use your examples,

1. can choose a level in a class immediately, but requires at minimum 10,000 XP to reach level 2. Races with 1 RHD lose it in favor of the HD from their class, so any creature with RHD must at least have 2 RHD, which makes a 1st level character of that race equal to ECL 3; he needs to have enough XP to reach ECL 4 to hit level 2.

2. needs enough XP to reach ECL 3 to gain his second level; he starts out with 0 and needs a total of 3,000 XP to level.

3. is equal to 1.

Andezzar

2014-03-01, 12:31 PM

A 109
First of all Effective Character Level = Racial Hit Dice + Class Levels + Level Adjustment. Use the ECL instead of Character Level on Table 3-2 on p. 22 of the PHB.

1. That creature's ECL is equal to its Racial Hit Dice. As such it would have to have at least as much XP as any other character with that ECL.

2. As a creature with at least ECL 2

3. As any creature with ECL = RHD + 1 +0 (LA)

Unless you are talking about really short periods timing is largely irrelevant. It takes between 13 and 14 (13 and 1/3 to be exact) challenging encounters to get from any level to the next. So with four encounters per day you could go from one level to the next in under 4 days, or from level 1 to 20 in under 67 days.

Taelas

2014-03-01, 12:33 PM

A109:

You are not required to have any XP to take your first level in a class, even if you have RHD -- you will simply require that much more XP to reach level 2.

Any creature without RHD that advances by character class has spent its time until reaching adulthood on attaining their character class. For creatures in the Monster Manual, this is a level in the Warrior NPC class.

To use your examples,

1. can choose a level in a class immediately, but requires at minimum 10,000 XP to reach level 2. Races with 1 RHD lose it in favor of the HD from their class, so any creature with RHD must at least have 2 RHD, which makes a 1st level character of that race equal to ECL 3; he needs to have enough XP to reach ECL 4 to hit level 2.

2. needs enough XP to reach ECL 3 to gain his second level; he starts out with 0 and needs a total of 3,000 XP to level.

3. is equal to 1.