Ammanas
2014-05-06, 07:58 PM
Hey everyone,
Can anyone give me input on how Capricious Zephyr (SC, p86 - http://dndtools.eu/spells/spell-compendium--86/capricious-zephyr--4012/) interacts with Swarms?
According to RAW, Swarms cannot be affected by a bull rush (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Swarm_Subtype#Traits), which is exactly what Capricious Zephyr does. However, I would argue that Capricious Zephyr does affect swarms, since the spell description describes it as "a roiling ball of dust and gale-force winds". Specifically, it is a 5-ft.-diameter sphere. As such, I would argue that Capricious Zephyr is an area of effect spell, at least when it comes to dealing with swarms or any kind of situation in which multiple creatures occupy a single square.
Moreover, Capricious Zephyr bull rushes in a random direction (1d8). I would argue that this would heavily damage swarms, as the swarm would be effectively divided into eight parts. Perhaps the swarm would need a round to regroup? To add to this, Gust of Wind (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Gust_of_Wind) has special rules for Tiny or smaller creatures. Capricious Zephyr can blow back swarms a fair distance. E.g. a bull rush from a Capricious Zephyr (d20+6) against a Locust Swarm (d20-17) can push the Swarm up to 30 feet away. Could the damage rules from Gust of Wind be applied here? I.e. taking 1d4 points of nonlethal damage per 10 feet for creatures on the ground, and 2d6 points of nonlethal damage for creatures in the air.
Thanks in advance for your input friends!
Can anyone give me input on how Capricious Zephyr (SC, p86 - http://dndtools.eu/spells/spell-compendium--86/capricious-zephyr--4012/) interacts with Swarms?
According to RAW, Swarms cannot be affected by a bull rush (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Swarm_Subtype#Traits), which is exactly what Capricious Zephyr does. However, I would argue that Capricious Zephyr does affect swarms, since the spell description describes it as "a roiling ball of dust and gale-force winds". Specifically, it is a 5-ft.-diameter sphere. As such, I would argue that Capricious Zephyr is an area of effect spell, at least when it comes to dealing with swarms or any kind of situation in which multiple creatures occupy a single square.
Moreover, Capricious Zephyr bull rushes in a random direction (1d8). I would argue that this would heavily damage swarms, as the swarm would be effectively divided into eight parts. Perhaps the swarm would need a round to regroup? To add to this, Gust of Wind (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Gust_of_Wind) has special rules for Tiny or smaller creatures. Capricious Zephyr can blow back swarms a fair distance. E.g. a bull rush from a Capricious Zephyr (d20+6) against a Locust Swarm (d20-17) can push the Swarm up to 30 feet away. Could the damage rules from Gust of Wind be applied here? I.e. taking 1d4 points of nonlethal damage per 10 feet for creatures on the ground, and 2d6 points of nonlethal damage for creatures in the air.
Thanks in advance for your input friends!