Simple Q&A D&D 3.5 (by RAW) XXVII

[LibraryOgre]

(This is a fairly high procedure thread; please read the entire instructions carefully before posting. Thanks.)

Ever have a simple, straight-forward rules question that you can’t figure out the answer to? Ask it here. No question is too simple. No more worrying about whether your question is “worth” starting a thread. Ask here and receive an answer. You are, of course, welcome to start a thread for your question, and if you think your question is subject to many interpretations or will start a debate, you are encouraged to start a new thread for it.

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Sample “Bad” Questions:
How do I play D&D? (Great question, but not for this thread.)
What is a good 10 level TWF build? (Far too broad and requires much opinion)
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Which is better GURPS or D&D?

Sample “Good” Questions:
Q.1. Are there any Large +0 LA races?
Q.2. As a sorcerer/rogue, do I get to add sneak attack damage to my attack spells?
Q.3. What effect would Dispel Magic have on a golem or similar construct?
Q.4. Is there a feat that allows me to get a familiar?

Please start over with the numbering. When this one reached 50 pages, please report it so that we can start a new one. Thanks.

[ksbsnowowl]

From the previous thread:
Q 1: Create Undead has as its target "One corpse." A corpse is never defined explicitly in the D&D rules, so we default to real world definitions. If one desired to make an incorporeal undead (such as a Shadow, Wraith, or Specter via Create Greater Undead), would the 500-year-old skeletal remains of a creature be sufficient as a target?

Q 2: The Astral Plane has the timeless trait:

Timeless. Age, hunger, thirst, poison, and natural healing don’t function in the Astral Plane, though they resume functioning when the traveler leaves the Astral Plane.From the Fast Healing special quality:

A creature with fast healing has the extraordinary ability to regain hit points at an exceptional rate. Except for what is noted here, fast healing is like natural healing.
Regeneration doesn't have a clause like that.

A) Does Fast Healing function on the Astral Plane?

B) Does Regeneration function on the Astral Plane?

[TrueJordan]

Q 3
Does the feat Earth Power and the item Torc of Power Preservation stack? Does it reduce the cost of a power by 2?
And more importantly, how do you know whether or not they'd work together

[Ruethgar]

Q:4
Do Dvati have one or two dreamscapes?

Q:5
If you have the Listen to This skill trick, can you repeat Truenames and utterances?

[Curmudgeon]

A 001 Yes.

Create Greater Undead has no greater material requirements other than the gem value, so a corpse of any age should suffice.

A 002 No, and no.

Natural healing being suspended is just one of the manifestations of the timeless planar trait (Dungeon Master's Guide, page 148). Essentially, all operations with a duration-based effect aren't functional until you leave a timeless plane, at which time those effects are applied retroactively.

A 003 Doubtful; ask your DM.

You determine the combined effect based on the specifics of language used.
The wearer of a torc of power preservation manifests all powers by paying power points equal to the standard cost minus 1 (minimum of 1).
When you manifest a power in this way, you pay 1 less power point than you normally would. "The standard cost" doesn't ever change. Thus if you apply the effect of Earth Power first, the Torc of Power would provide no additional benefit. If you apply the effect of the item first, Earth Power can only provide a further reduction if your DM treats "normally" as relative only to the operation of the feat rather the normal cost of the power. The problem with that relativistic operation is that "normal" and "standard" are synonyms, so "the standard cost" and the PP cost "you normally would" pay are also synonymous. Then, finally, there's no rule which states in what order you apply feats and item properties; if the order matters, your DM would decide what that order is.

A 004 One.
Dvati twins share one mind.

A 005

Yes, you can repeat an utterance. However, the effect of doing so is up to your DM.
An utterance is a combination of words in Truespeech that describe a creature, place, or object to be affected and the desired effect (such as “control speed” or “wreathe in fire”).
...
THE UNIVERSE KEEPS TRACK OF YOU
When you deliver an utterance, you’re dealing with the cosmos itself and reshaping reality. Reality will be different at the time of the repeated sound effect from what it was when it was described in the initial utterance. The effect of using truespeech to describe a past scenario and the desired effect (perhaps one now already in existence) is not covered by the rules.

[Deaxsa]

Q 6

Can you ready a partial charge?

[Curmudgeon]

A 006

Yes, but only if you're normally unable to take a full-round action. This would apply on a surprise round (if you're not surprised, of course) or if you're slowed (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/slow.htm). (Having already used up part of your allotment of actions for the round doesn't make you unable to take a full round action; it merely means you chose not to.)

[Thurbane]

Q007

Apart from the situations outlined in A006, are there any other circumstances where you are restricted to a partial action? The only other I can think of is for Zombies.

[Gildedragon]

Q008

Do RHD advance martial initiator level?

[KrimsonNekros]

Question 9

Can I take the Fiendish Bloodline feat (DC p.98) as a level 1 race with the racial ability to use arcane spells, e.g. Drow, without taking a spellcasting class?

[Thurbane]

Q 010a

Is it possible to feed a potion to another character while they are in melee combat?

Q 010b

Is so, does it consume the standard action of the person pouring the potion, or imbibing the potion?

Q 010c

Who takes the AoO - the drinker, or the pourer?

[Flame of Anor]

In re q. 007

I don't know whether or not there are other such situations, but I should point out that the "partial action" does not (as far as I know) exist in 3.5e. It was a 3.0e thing which was phased out in the upgrade. The nomenclature of the "partial charge" action is thus something of a skeuomorph in 3.5e. This was partially,* I believe, because they wanted to nerf Haste.

*no pun intended

[Curmudgeon]

A 007

Chaos Hammer can also make a Lawful creature slowed. The Distract and Sting Ray spells (Spell Compendium) cause conditions mechanically similar to being slowed. Being disabled (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#disabled) would allow readying a partial charge; however, that would be ineffective as it would also change the character's status to dying (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#dying) and thus unable to execute the readied action.

I think that's about it.

A 008 Only with no martial adept class levels.
If you are a single-class character, your initiator level equals your level in the class that provides access to martial maneuvers (crusader, swordsage, or warblade). If you lack any martial adept levels, your initiator level is equal to 1/2 your character level.
...
If you are a multiclass martial adept, and you learn a new maneuver by attaining a new level in a martial adept class, determine your initiator level by adding together your level in that class + 1/2 your levels in all other classes.
Racial hit dice are a component of your total character level, but are only counted for IL determination if you completely lack martial adept levels. If you have any martial adept levels, only class levels enter the IL computation. (No, it's not particularly consistent, but it is the RAW.)

A 009

If you did have a racial ability to cast arcane spells without preparation you could take Fiendish Bloodline at level 1. Drow do not have such an ability. Instead, they have some Spell-like abilities which duplicate spells which are a mix of arcane and divine. Spell-like abilities (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#spellLikeAbilities) are never arcane or divine, though, so the Drow fails this feat's prerequisite.

A 010a Yes.

It's not forbidden by the rules, assuming you can reach the character who needs the potion; Aid Another allows miscellaneous assistance to another character as a standard action. Your DM may specify a Sleight of Hand or Dexterity check DC to pour the potion. (If one character uses Delay so the two of them (pourer and drinker) can operate on the same initiative it's not necessary to deal with adjudicating a mouthful of unconsumed potion.)

A 010b Both.
Potions And Oils

A potion is a magic liquid that produces its effect when imbibed. Magic oils are similar to potions, except that oils are applied externally rather than imbibed.
...
Activation
Drinking a potion or applying an oil requires no special skill. The user merely removes the stopper and swallows the potion or smears on the oil. The following rules govern potion and oil use.

Drinking a potion or using an oil on an item of gear is a standard action. The potion or oil takes effect immediately. Using a potion or oil provokes attacks of opportunity. Because potions and oils share use rules, the person applying the potion/oil and the person imbibing the potion are both potion/oil "users" in this scenario.

A 010c Both.

The same rules apply; see the above citation.

[Sian]

Q11:

Fairly certain it have been answered before, but searching comes up blank

My character is inside the radius of a darkness spell, and attacks someone thats out of it. Do my opponents get the concealment bonus? depending on how i read it (or more speficicly some other things, Warlock's Devil's Sight for one) It could from where i'm sitting just as well be yes than no

[Curmudgeon]

A 011 For ranged attacks, or non-adjacent melee attacks, yes.
Concealment

To determine whether your target has concealment from your ranged attack, choose a corner of your square. If any line from this corner to any corner of the target’s square passes through a square or border that provides concealment, the target has concealment.

When making a melee attack against an adjacent target, your target has concealment if his space is entirely within an effect that grants concealment. When making a melee attack against a target that isn’t adjacent to you use the rules for determining concealment from ranged attacks.

[Alikat]

Q 12


If two characters with really high dex and both with combat reflexes/robilars gambit builds attack each other. Do they swing back and forth over and over in a single round til one of them's ran out of AoO's or is dead?

[Curmudgeon]

A 012 Pretty much.

Normally attacks of opportunity interrupt the triggering action. If two foes keep interrupting each other the cycle continues until one of them runs out of interrupts (the Combat Reflexes limit of AoOs), then the interrupts are resolved from last back to first. Robilar's Gambit works differently:
Resolve your attack of opportunity after your foe's attack. The AoOs will benefit from full AB and the +4 bonus from the opponent's use of Robilar's Gambit, so most will likely hit. As you stated, they just keep hitting each other.

[Kazudo]

Q 13

This is a dumb question, I'm sure, but I thought I'd ask.

When dealing with max skill ranks, does one use one's Character Level or one's Effective Character level factoring in other character levels or Racial Hit Dice as well?

[Curmudgeon]

A 013

Skill points are granted by hit dice (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_HitDie&alpha=H), which is a combination of racial HD and class levels. Hit dice and character level are the same, and you use the character level to determine your maximum skill ranks.
Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3. ECL also includes Level Adjustment, which does not factor into skill point or skill rank calculations.

[Kazudo]

Q 14

Is there any material, spell effect, or equipment quality that makes it immune to the Delver (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/delver.htm)'s corrosive slime or effects like it?

[Khedrac]

A 14 partial
The Blueshine armor property from the MIC makes armor immune to acid damage. Everbright (also MiC) does the same for weapons. Beyond that I am not aware of any for other materials.

[Gildedragon]

Q 14

Is there any material, spell effect, or equipment quality that makes it immune to the Delver (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/delver.htm)'s corrosive slime or effects like it?
A14 (partial)
Makes what immune?
As to materials immune to the slime:
Riverine for one, Aurorum to some extent, Blue Ice (as it is neither organic, nor metal, nor stone) Acid Neutralizer ought also help as a one shot item

[Fralex]

Q015: Can Brew Potion be used to also make oils?

[Flame of Anor]

A 015

Yes.

[Zethex]

Q 16:

If you channel a spell through your attack as a level 3+ Duskblade do both maneuvers of the feat Battlecaster Offense get activated? I.e. do you get both +1 to your next attack roll and +1 to DC on the following turn?

[unseenmage]

Q17

Say a creature has only one spell active on it and a Spellthief steals that spell.
However, the spell couldn't be stolen, only suppressed.

a) Does the suppressed spell still display an aura in the case of Detect Magic?


b) What if it was an Animated Object that is now an inert lump due to having the spell of the same name suppressed?

[heavyfuel]

Q 18

Do you threaten an area if you're not proficient with a weapon?

Say, not having EWP:Spiked Chain, can I still make AoOs with it?

[Curmudgeon]

A 016

Yes, but only if the channeled spell is one which successfully deals damage to the target.

A 017 a) No.

Detect Magic will detect the aura of a functioning spell only, not one which has been suppressed.

A 017 b) No.

The answer doesn't change.

A 018 Yes.

All your attacks, including AoOs, will incur the nonproficiency penalty; however, the weapon still threatens.
A character who uses a weapon with which he or she is not proficient takes a -4 penalty on attack rolls.
Threatened Squares
You threaten all squares into which you can make a melee attack, even when it is not your action.

[Adverb]

Q19: What feats, magic items, or spells help an archer type negate the penalty for firing at a prone target?

[Zethex]

Q 20:
Not really a D&D or RAW question, but what does P.E.A.C.H. stand for?

[nyjastul69]

A 20: Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly

ETA: Many common abbreviations, acronyms and terms used on the boards can be found here. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?18512-Common-Acronyms-Abbreviations-and-Terms)

[Kazudo]

Q. 21

Are there any Large playable races with the Humanoid type?

Q. 22

Are there any templates that change the Giant type to the Humanoid type?

[Kafana]

Q 23 Can you target an invisible character with a spell that doesn't require attack rolls (Such as doom) if you know in what square the invisible character is?

[Curmudgeon]

A 022

The Dragonborn acquired template changes the creature's type to Humanoid (dragonblood). (The term used in Races of the Dragon is "transformation" rather than "template", but that's what it amounts to.)

A 023 No.
Target or Targets

Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell. Knowing the location lets you target the square, not the creature. You need to see or touch a target.

[Sian]

A21:

only one that springs to mind is some of the bigger Shinomen Naga's in Oriental Adventures

A22:

From reading through the Template Master List (http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/1117261), no ... At least not without a hefty ammount of template stacking turning the giant into a construct and then into a humaniod via Incanate Construct (which turns to humanoid if medium or smaller, and giant if larger)


A 022

The Dragonborn acquired template changes the creature's type to Humanoid (dragonblood). (The term used in Races of the Dragon is "transformation" rather than "template", but that's what it amounts to.)

A 023 No. Knowing the location lets you target the square, not the creature. You need to see or touch a target.

Actually reading the sidebar about the mechanics it says that it only gain Dragonblood subtype, not Humaniod (Dragonblood).

[Kazudo]

A 022

The Dragonborn acquired template changes the creature's type to Humanoid (dragonblood). (The term used in Races of the Dragon is "transformation" rather than "template", but that's what it amounts to.)

Q. 24

Does the Dragonborn acquired template require Humanoid to enter by RAW, or is it race restrictive at all?

[Curmudgeon]

Re: A 021 [correction]

only one that springs to mind is some of the bigger Shinomen Naga's in Oriental Adventures
Those are all Monstrous Humanoids, not Humanoids. See the 3.5 update to Oriental Adventures in Dragon # 318 on page 45.

Re: A 022
Actually reading the sidebar about the mechanics it says that it only gain Dragonblood subtype, not Humaniod (Dragonblood).
The sidebar addresses some, but not all, aspects of the transformation; you need to read the full text. In particular, page 8 includes the following:

DRAGONBORN RACIAL TRAITS
Humanoid (dragonblood): Dragonborn are humanoids with the dragonblood subtype and any other subtypes they had before undergoing the Rite of Rebirth.


A 024 No.

From THE RITE OF REBIRTH on page 8 of Races of the Dragon:
Prerequisites: In order to be accepted as a suitable candidate, the supplicant must be non-evil and have an Intelligence score of at least 3. There is no actual type or race requirement.

[heavyfuel]

Q 25

Is there any armor that has a max +2 dex? (base stats or mundane template, without magical effects)

[Curmudgeon]

A 025

Standard chainmail has a Maximum Dexterity Bonus (MDB) of +2; see here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/armor.htm#tableArmorandShields).

[heavyfuel]

Q 25 B


A 025

Standard chainmail has a Maximum Dexterity Bonus (MDB) of +2; see here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/armor.htm#tableArmorandShields).

Yeah... I forgot probably the most important part. It needs to have an armor bonus of +6 or +7.

[Curmudgeon]

A 025 B

Mithral splint mail or mithral half plate armor will do the job: both have MDB of +2, and AC of +6 or +7 (respectively).

[Chronos]

Q 26:
Given that Dragonborn isn't officially described as a template, is it possible to Alter Self into a dragonborn?

[Curmudgeon]

A 026

Your question is like asking if you can Alter Self into a "Small". Alter Self transmutes the spellcaster into a form, and Dragonborn is just one aspect of a Humanoid form. The constraints of Alter Self are further limited by HD, which in turn limit the Dragonborn transformation benefits. You can ask your DM, but ultimately all Alter Self form choices would require a reference which fits within the HD limits of the spell. As far as I know, Races of the Dragon includes just one such reference form.

[PraxisVetli]

Q27
It says in the Monster Manual that when you up somethings HD, it's 1 CR to 4HD.
Does that work the other way? If I add Horrid (+1CR) to a creature, does that creature then gain 4HD?

[Curmudgeon]

A 027 No.

Challenge Rating is an indicator of how strong a combat opponent a particular creature is. The Horrid inherited template (Eberron Campaign Setting, page 289) is one way in which a creature can become a greater challenge; advancing by HD is another. Multiple factors enter into determining CR, but there is no feedback from one way of adjusting CR into another such factor.

[PraxisVetli]

A 027 No.

Challenge Rating is an indicator of how strong a combat opponent a particular creature is. The Horrid inherited template (Eberron Campaign Setting, page 289) is one way in which a creature can become a greater challenge; advancing by HD is another. Multiple factors enter into determining CR, but there is no feedback from one way of adjusting CR into another such factor.

Q27 Clarification
But the paragon kobolds are a CR15 or so (AFB) and have >30 hp?
its pg 294 on the MM that's confusing me.

[Kazudo]

Q. 28

When the Dragonborn transformation occurs on a creature who has the Amphibious template on them, would they retain the ability to breathe underwater?

[Curmudgeon]

A 028 Yes.

Dragonborn retain any other subtypes they had before undergoing the Rite of Rebirth. The Amphibious template confers the aquatic subtype, which is what give the ability to breathe underwater.

[Kazudo]

Q 29.

(A lot of these, aren't there?)

Does the Alternate Form of the Lycanthrope Template also assume any templates of either base creature, or are they unaffected by it?

For example: Does the wolf form of a Werewolf with the Mineral Warrior template still get its Special Qualities and Attacks?

Q 28. Clarification

But would said creature also retain its ability to breathe air?

[MrBananaBeak]

Q30

The Augment Summoning feat (PH) grants "Each creature you conjure with any summon spell gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution." Conjure Ice Beast (Frostburn) is not named "summon" but features the statement "In all other ways, conjure ice beast I functions like summon monster I." Is there a fundemental difference between a "Conjure" spell and a "Summon" spell?

Thanks!

[Kazudo]

A 30.

As long as they're both Conjuration(Summoning) spells, I don't believe there's a problem.

[MrBananaBeak]

A 30.

As long as they're both Conjuration(Summoning) spells, I don't believe there's a problem.

Ah crud. Conjure Ice Beast is a Conjuration (Creation) spell. Thanks!

[Curmudgeon]

A 028 Clarification

Actually no, the creature does not retain the ability to breathe air. However, the newly-created Dragonborn becomes a Humanoid, and thus gains the following Humanoid trait:
Humanoids breathe, eat, and sleep. The result is the same, but the RAW basis for being able to breathe air is different.

A 029 N/A.

This isn't possible.
Alternate Form (Su): A lycanthrope can assume the form of a specific animal (as indicated in its entry).
A creature cannot use alternate form to take the form of a creature with a template. Excepting the built-in override for the Lycanthrope template itself, this limitation of Alternate Form prevents a templated creature from becoming a Lycanthrope. Other types of creatures are prevented from being afflicted with Lycanthropy; for instance, any creature which is more than one size away from that of the Lycanthrope's Animal form.

[Judge_Worm]

Q31
Can a former Paladin multiclass as a barbarian, druid, or other alignment restricted class?

[Curmudgeon]

A 031
Like a member of any other class, a paladin may be a multiclass character, but multiclass paladins face a special restriction. A paladin who gains a level in any class other than paladin may never again raise her paladin level, though she retains all her paladin abilities. Assuming that's what you mean by "former Paladin", then no, they cannot retain their Paladin abilities if they enter a class which requires an alignment other than Lawful Good.
Ex-Paladins
A paladin who ceases to be lawful good, who willfully commits an evil act, or who grossly violates the code of conduct loses all paladin spells and abilities (including the service of the paladin’s mount, but not weapon, armor, and shield proficiencies). Barbarians require nonlawful alignment; Druids require Neutral alignment. Qualifying with either of those alignments would disqualify the character for all Paladin spells and abilities.

[Kazudo]

Q 32.
I know it draws attention, but at least this way I at least tried.
In the case of an Amphibious Human being bit by a Were Shark (using the Large usage of the Shark) and contracting Lycanthropy, would the Alternate Form also have the Amphibious Special Quality?

Also,

Q 33. A.
Are there any acquired templates other than Amphibious that grant the amphibious Special Quality?

33. B.
Are there any magic items that a creature with the Animal type could wear that would give a continuous "Breathe Air" ability or mimic the amphibious Special Quality?

[Renen]

Q 34 A

What feat can a whisper gnome take to qualify for Air elemental template?

Q 34 B
Alternatively, what race can I play that grants higher bonus to hide than Whisper gnome, that would qualify me for said template?

I need to be:one of the following base types for template: aberration, animal, beast, magical beast, plant, or vermin.

[TuggyNE]

A 002 No, and no.

Natural healing being suspended is just one of the manifestations of the timeless planar trait (Dungeon Master's Guide, page 148). Essentially, all operations with a duration-based effect aren't functional until you leave a timeless plane, at which time those effects are applied retroactively.

A002 dispute: The "Timeless" quality appears to have a specific definition with an exhaustive list of game effects. There is no given reason for Regeneration to be considered among them, and it is plain that the usual imprecise English meaning of "timeless" is not in scope.

A007 additional: The staggered condition also counts for this.

A015 correction: No. It makes no provisions for it and nowhere are any means explicitly defined for making oils. They are available from NPCs per the usual rules for item availability, but that's about it.


Q27 Clarification
But the paragon kobolds are a CR15 or so (AFB) and have >30 hp?
its pg 294 on the MM that's confusing me.

A027 clarification: The Paragon template increases CR itself directly, as most templates do. (It also increases HP, but not by adding HD.) Some few templates, such as Lycanthrope, also add HD, but those are the exception, and they are all clearly marked.

In general, there are many ways to increase CR, and no CR increase implies anything other than that at least one of those methods was used; adding HD to increase CR by the type table does not also mean a template must be applied for the same CR increase, nor vice versa. Each is separately added to the total. HD increases add to CR in much the same way that, say, Fighter levels add to total ECL: if a Barbarian takes a level in Fighter, their ECL goes up by one, but that does not mean they must then take a level of Barbarian as well.

[Khedrac]

A 19 I am not aware of any, and given that no-one else has posted an answer it does not look like there are any.

[Reshy]

Q33

Song dragons from the Monsters of Faerun are said to all take the shape of a human female. Are they a monogendered species of dragon or do both genders assume a female form? :smallannoyed:

[Kafana]

Q 34 Does monk's ki strike (which he gets at 4th level) bypass the DR/+1 damage reduction, or only the DR/magic one?

[Curmudgeon]

A 034 A None.

"Air Element" is an inherited template that can be added to any corporeal creature of the following base types: Aberration, Animal, Magical Beast, Plant, or Vermin. (Note: There is no "Beast" type in D&D 3.5.) Whisper Gnome is of Humanoid type. An inherited template is added before any HD, which means no feats are available yet at that stage of building the creature. (The +4 level adjustment of the template grants no HD, so no feats from that, either.) I don't know of any single feat which would change type from Humanoid to one of these others in any case.

Following the convention used in 3.0 rules, Manual of the Planes doesn't distinguish between inherited and acquired templates directly; instead, you have to discern any such distinctions in context. We do that for the "Air Element" template as follows, by starting with the 3.5 update for the book.
Make the following changes to the templates in Chapter 9 of Manual of the Planes. If a particular aspect of the template isn’t mentioned, it functions as described in Chapter 9. Chapter 9 has this directive:
The following rules explain how to build a templated creature. In the 3.5 Monster Manual, "build" is used as follows:
Before you get too far into designing your monster, you should decide about how tough a monster you’re trying to build by picking a target CR. Consequently, all the templates in Manual of the Planes are those used to build monsters before any feat choices are available. The feats before such choices are limited to those specified in the templated creature, and the feats for Air Element template are:
Feats: Same as the base creature, with the added feat of Flyby Attack. Whisper Gnome has no racial bonus feats, and thus no option for a feat which would change their type.
A 034 B partial

There are several other races you could choose to exceed the Whisper Gnome's racial bonus to Hide checks. For instance, the Skulk (Races of Destiny) has a +15 Hide bonus, at the expense of racial HD and a +1 level adjustment; it's also a Humanoid. Getting to a type suitable for Air Element template is easily accomplished via another inherited template applied first. One possibility is Feral (Savage Species, page 115); that will alter a Humanoid base creature to Monstrous Humanoid.

Your resultant creature will have a fairly high ECL, with at least +5 level adjustment and at least 1 racial HD before you can add the first class level.

I think your goal exceeds what's easily accomplished via simple questions, so you might have better luck creating your own thread specific to the purpose.

A 035

There is no "DR/+1" in 3.5 D&D; all 3.0 DR numbers in the +1 to +5 range are translated into "DR/magic". The Monk's Ki Strike (magic) bypasses all such damage reduction.

[Metahuman1]

Q 35: Other then Sacred, Profane, Exalted, Vile, Enchantment, Competence, Circumstance, Insight, luck and untyped, are there any other types of bonuses?

[nyjastul69]

Re: Q36: Are you looking for all types of modifiers or only those that are bonuses? Also, are you only looking for those that give a bonus to attack rolls? For example, armor is a bonus and circumstance is a modifier. Circumstances can result in a penalty. Here ( http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/basicsRacesDescription.htm) is the SRD list of modifiers. I know it's picking nits, but there is no enchantment bonus, it's an enhancement bonus.

[Metahuman1]

Just bonuses and bonuses that can be applied to attack rolls.

[St Fan]

Q 37 ('cause there's already two Q35 above)

A Master of Many Forms (prestige class from the Complete Adventurer) can Wild Shape into humanoids at first level.

As with regular Wild Shape, he gains extraordinary special attacks, but no other special quality (at least not before level 7 of MoMF).

If such a character turns into a troglodyte, he gains its stench, which is an extraordinary special attack. However, does he also gains a troglodyte's immunity to his own stench, or does he run the risk of being affected too?

[Curmudgeon]

A 037

Troglodyte immunity to Stench is part of the Stench ability description. While in Troglodyte form the Master of Many Forms is not affected.

[Gildedragon]

Q38
Is there a PC-playable template that reduces a creature's size category?

[Chronos]

A 36 partial:

There's also Morale, which is granted by a bard's Inspire Courage or by the Bless spell, and Size, from being smaller than Medium. There may be others.

[Mongrel]

Q39: So about damaging magic items. If a magic item is "unattended," it essentially makes all saves unless it is specifically targeted. My question is what exactly does "unattended" mean? Specifically, if a group of adventurers on a Carpet of Flying get hit with a fireball, does the carpet automatically survive, or does it need to make a save? Basically, is the fact that it currently has people on it enough to qualify it as being "unattended?"

[AlanBruce]

Q.40

I was reading through the Phantom Stag spell (SpC) and its Phantom X counterparts and they all, for the most part, provide a statistic block for the creature, including AC, HP, attack and damage...

But I noted that it doesn't give saves, such as the stag's Fortitude, Reflex, and Will.

Does this mean that the stag and its Phantom X cousins cannot be affected by a spell that atrgets saves and merely killed/dispelled?

[TuggyNE]

A039:
An item attended by a character (being grasped, touched, or worn) makes saving throws as the character (that is, using the character’s saving throw bonus).

(object)
The spell can be cast on objects, which receive saving throws only if they are magical or if they are attended (held, worn, grasped, or the like) by a creature resisting the spell, in which case the object uses the creature’s saving throw bonus unless its own bonus is greater.

Therefore, the flying carpet is considered attended. (It is also magical, and thus would make saving throws as appropriate even if unattended, but that's a separate issue.)

[torrasque666]

Q41: Can a creature make attacks and/or target spells through a portal, such as one created by Shadowfade?

[Ruethgar]

Q 42: Are there any rules for building Strongholds for smaller or larger creatures?

[Drathric]

Q43: What happens to a character's class levels when they take on a level adjusted template such as vampire? Technically they no longer have enough experience to support their ECL.

[Curmudgeon]

A 041

The answer depends on the particulars of the spell used and the planes themselves. For instance, magical attacks cannot cross from the Ethereal Plane into the Material Plane unless they have the [Force] descriptor. Nonmagical attacks can cross as long as the opening is big enough to allow the attack. Your DM's specification of line of sight and line of effect across the boundary will determine the possibilities.

A 043

Nothing happens to the existing class levels unless there's a particular effect specified by the template (example: Necropolitan forces the loss of the last level). An increased ECL means the character will need much more XP to attain their next class level, however.

[torrasque666]

Q44: How large does a creature need to be to block line of sight?

[Curmudgeon]

A 044

Excepting special circumstances, creatures don't block line of sight no matter how big they are. They provide only "soft" cover, which is not even enough visual screening to allow a Hide check.
Soft Cover
Creatures, even your enemies, can provide you with cover against ranged attacks, giving you a +4 bonus to AC. However, such soft cover provides no bonus on Reflex saves, nor does soft cover allow you to make a Hide check. The exceptions are creatures which fully fill their space, such as Gelatinous Cube (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/ooze.htm#gelatinousCube)s.

[heavyfuel]

Q 45

The spell Vision of the Omniscient Eye (Dragon Magic) has an addendum that says "a character who learns this spell gains a +1 competence bonus to spot checks". Do clerics, who automatically get all spells in his list also very this bonus?

Q 46 The spell Vision of the Omniscient Eye (Dragon Magic) has an addendum that says "a character who learns this spell gains a +1 competence bonus to spot checks". Do clerics, who automatically get all spells in his list also very this bonus?

Can you chain spells (with the feat) to targets the spell doesn't allow? Say, a Chain Reach Daylight spell: Daylight normally allows objects only, but the language of Chain Spell is ambiguous as to whether or not i can target creatures with it too. The ambiguous part from the feat is the "Each arc affects one secondary target chosen by you"

Emphasis added

[Dusk Eclipse]

Q47 Can you use Power Attack with an unarmed strike?

[Kazudo]

A 47.



You can’t add the bonus from Power Attack to the damage dealt with a light weapon (except with unarmed strikes or natural weapon attacks), even though the penalty on attack rolls still applies.


This implies that you can.

[Chronos]

A 46:

You can choose the secondary targets, just as you can choose the primary (or only, if not using Chain) target. Nothing in the feat overrides the need for the target to be valid.

[Curmudgeon]

A 045 No.

The statement "clerics, who automatically get all spells in his list" is not backed up by the RAW. Most divine casters don't know the spells on their class list; they acquire them daily via strength of faith, as divine inspiration, or from the power of nature — not from study or prior records. Their knowledge is limited to just those spells which they have prepared for the day.
known spell

A spell that an arcane spellcaster has learned and can prepare. For wizards, knowing a spell means having it in their spellbooks. For sorcerers and bards, knowing a spell means having selected it when acquiring new spells as a benefit of level advancement.
Clerics do not acquire their spells from books or scrolls, nor do they prepare them through study. Instead, they meditate or pray for their spells, receiving them through their own strength of faith or as divine inspiration. Vision of the Omniscient Eye is also on the Druid spell list.
Druids cast divine spells much the same way clerics do, though most get their spells from the power of nature rather than from deities. There is a place in the rules which (indirectly) specifies when a divine spellcaster "knows" a spell: if they're ready to cast it.
Benefit: You can create a scroll of any spell that you know. We know that divine spellcasters can create scrolls, and that the magic item creation process requires casting the necessary spell each day while that item is being created. Consequently, if they are ready to cast a spell, then (at least for the purposes of Scribe Scroll) they "know" that spell. Accordingly, if a Cleric or Druid has Vision of the Omniscient Eye prepared (but not yet cast) they will receive the benefit of learning that spell.

A 046 No.

There's nothing in Chain Spell that overrides the basic requirement for a target to be of the correct type for the spell.
Target or Targets

Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. Vision of the Omniscient Eye specifies the only valid target:
Target: You This spell cannot be altered with the metamagic feat Chain Spell in any case:
Benefit: 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 ... Attempting to do so will cause the spell to fail at casting.
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.

[No brains]

Q 48 A As per the ruling on Q 44, does this mean that if a creature squeezes through a space (even an exceptionally small space as in the case of Escape Artist or Oozes) it still doesn't block line of sight?

Q 48 B What about line of effect?

[torrasque666]

Q49: Are spells that change from Figment to Shadow still mind effecting?

[Curmudgeon]

A 048 A No.
Varying Degrees of Cover

In some cases, cover may provide a greater bonus to AC and Reflex saves. In such situations the normal cover bonuses to AC and Reflex saves can be doubled (to +8 and +4, respectively). A creature with this improved cover effectively gains improved evasion against any attack to which the Reflex save bonus applies. It's better cover, but still counts as "soft" and thus doesn't completely block line of sight.

A 048 B Maybe.
An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell’s line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell’s line of effect. If the creature is filling the space so tightly that there's less than 1 square foot of open line of sight, this in turn could block line of effect. Your individual DM will need to make that determination.

A 049 Probably not.

Assuming you're referring to something akin to the Shadowcraft Mage's Shadow Illusion class feature, the Illusion spell changed from Figment to Shadow subschool will only remain mind-affecting if it has the [Mind-Affecting] descriptor. Shadow subschool spells affect the senses by being partly real, rather than being imaginary and affecting the mind.

[Chronos]

A 49 addendum:

So far as I can tell, there are zero spells in the game of the figment subschool which are mind-effecting. The same is true for the glamer subschool, for what it's worth. Phantasms and patterns are all mind-effecting, but Shadow Illusion doesn't work on those, so it appears that the question is completely irrelevant.

[Eaglejarl]

Q50a

Am I correct that a 10th level Control Water spell (Raise Water version) will turn a single drop of water into a 100' x 100' x 20' lake?

Q50b

If the original water is holy water, will the resulting 200,000 ft^3 of water also be holy water?

[Umbranar]

Q51a
With the Sudden Leap maneuver from Tome of Battle, do you incur the penalty for not making a running start?

Q51b
Does tumbling during Sudden Leap reduce the distance jumped?

[Eaglejarl]

Q52

Wall of Fire says that it deals damage to creatures. Does it also deal damage to objects? Specifically, will it melt a Wall of Ice?

Q53

Wall of Ice says: "Suddenly melting a wall of ice creates a great cloud of steamy fog that lasts for 10 minutes." What happens after 10 minutes? Does the steam simply vanish, or condense, or what?

[Oddman80]

Q54
If you are prone and have a BAB of anywhere between 6 and 9, are you able to make a second (iterative) melee attack?
Does the -4 penalty for attacking from prone reduce your BAB in a way that you are unable to make the second attack? or does it just give you a BAB of -3 (at level 6) for the second attack?

[Eaglejarl]

Q55

Is the following correct by RAW?: Tie a Medium dagger to a 20' rope. I now have an improvised weapon that deals 1d4, takes a -4 attack bonus, I am nonproficient with it, and it can be used to attack anyone within 20' (because I can "choke up" on the rope to attack closer targets)

If it's not correct, what is the correct version?

[Chronos]

A 54:

Your BAB does not change, and is a single number. Many other modifiers can affect your attack bonus, up or down, but your BAB is unchanged. If you're a level 6 fighter with a 10 strength and nonmagical weapon, and no other modifiers, and you're prone, then your base attack bonus is +6, your total attack bonus on your first attack is +2, and you can make a second attack in a full attack with a total attack modifier of -3.

[Curmudgeon]

A 050a No.
Raise Water
This causes water or similar liquid to rise in height All you can accomplish with a single drop of water is to raise a column of water of the same width as the starting drop; the spell does not cause any horizontal increase in the amount of surface covered by water beyond what was there at the time of casting.

A 050b No.

You'll raise the water, but won't imbue it with any additional positive energy. The total positive energy effect of the entire body of water will be the same as that of the starting volume. You'd need to ask your DM if the result is too dilute to have any effect (e.g., if an Undead immersed in it would take any damage at all).

A 051a Yes.

The usual rules apply. You'll note the Tiger Claw Leaping Dragon Stance is designed specifically to address this.

A 051b Not necessarily.
Accelerated Tumbling
You try to tumble past or through enemies more quickly than normal. By accepting a -10 penalty on your Tumble checks, you can move at your full speed instead of one-half your speed.

A 052 No.

Spells only do what they say they do. Wall of Fire only affects creatures.

A 053 Simply vanish.
Evocation
Evocation spells manipulate energy or tap an unseen source of power to produce a desired end. In effect, they create something out of nothing. Wall of Ice is an Evocation spell. At the end of the duration there is nothing remaining.

A 054 Yes.

You appear to be confusing BAB (Base Attack Bonus) and AB (Attack Bonus). Only your BAB determines how many attacks you make on a full attack, and this number only changes when you advance a level. Your AB is the combination of BAB, ability modifier (STR or DEX), and any attack modifiers such as the -4 penalty for making a melee attack while prone.

A 055 No.
Improvised Weapons

Sometimes objects not crafted to be weapons nonetheless see use in combat. Because such objects are not designed for this use, any creature that uses one in combat is considered to be nonproficient with it and takes a -4 penalty on attack rolls made with that object. To determine the size category and appropriate damage for an improvised weapon, compare its relative size and damage potential to the weapon list to find a reasonable match. An improvised weapon scores a threat on a natural roll of 20 and deals double damage on a critical hit. An improvised thrown weapon has a range increment of 10 feet. The above citation is the actuality. A rope + dagger is an improvised weapon. You do not retain the dagger's damage here; instead, your DM will determine all parameters. This could include a result of this being a Gargantuan size category weapon which a Medium creature would not be able to use for any combat purpose.

[Eaglejarl]

Thanks, Curmudgeon.

Q56



Lava or magma deals 2d6 points of damage per round of exposure, except in the case of total immersion [...] which deals 20d6 points of damage per round.

Wall of Magma is a Conjuration effect, meaning that it is actually creating real magma. The spell states that it does 5d6 damage to creatures passing through it (plus a level-dependent bonus, but that's not relevant for this question), but does not say anything about creatures immersed in it. I can see three options: It does the normal 20d6 (spell doesn't address the case, so it defaults to normal rules), or 5d6 (creature is still considered "passing through" it), or 0 damage (spell text does not mention damage for this case so it does none). What is the correct answer?


EDIT:
Q57

Decanter of Endless Water "produces a 20-foot-long, 1-foot-wide stream". Is there explicit RAW about what happens if you activate a DEW when there is not sufficient space for the jet to form? If I put it 1' from a wall and activate it, common sense would say that it hits the wall and splashes. By RAW, though, it seems to push the barrier out of the way so that it can reach its full length. That's crazy, but I don't know any specific RAW that countermands it. Is there?

[Chronos]

A 56 partial:

A wall of magma isn't very thick: Even at caster level 20, it's only 5 inches thick. This means that, under ordinary circumstances, most creatures can't be completely immersed in it, so the question is mostly irrelevant. Though I realize that this doesn't help for extremely small creatures, or extremely high caster levels.

[torrasque666]

Q58: What steps must be taken for a creature to become a deity?

[Eaglejarl]

A 56 partial:

A wall of magma isn't very thick: Even at caster level 20, it's only 5 inches thick. This means that, under ordinary circumstances, most creatures can't be completely immersed in it, so the question is mostly irrelevant. Though I realize that this doesn't help for extremely small creatures, or extremely high caster levels.

Q56, continued
True, but it's possible to get it deeper with enough effort. For example, cast it on a stone bridge over a funnel-shaped pit. Blow up the bridge; the Wall falls down into the pit and pools at the (narrower) bottom. Alternatively, use Permancey on the wall, then cool it down so that it 'freezes' into rock. Break the rock off (which the spell explicitly says you can), throw it in a hole. 10 minutes later, the rock reverts back to its molten form and you have a pit filled with magma.

EDIT: The simplest way to convert a Wall of Magma into a pool of magma that you can immerse someone in: fold it back and forth on itself like an accordion. The spell description states that it can be shaped into sheets and curves, and that it doesn't have to be vertical. The only restrictions on how it is formed are: can't form domes, can't form unsupported horizontal surfaces >5' across, and cannot make complex forms such as crenelations. A 20th level caster gets 20 segments, each 5'x5' and 5" thick. Put one square down horizontally and fold the others back and forth on top of it; you end up with a block of magma 5' x 5' x ~8' high, which is plenty big enough to immerse someone.

[Flame of Anor]

A 050a No. All you can accomplish with a single drop of water is to raise a column of water of the same width as the starting drop; the spell does not cause any horizontal increase in the amount of surface covered by water beyond what was there at the time of casting.

But the spell description says, "If the area affected by the spell includes riverbanks, a beach, or other land nearby, the water can spill over onto dry land." That seems to directly contradict your assertion that it does not cause any horizontal increase.

[Koury]

Q 59

While Slowed, do you still get a swift action?

[Reshy]

Q60

How does one recover from the Gray Wasting Disease?

[KillianHawkeye]

Q58: What steps must be taken for a creature to become a deity?

A 58 There is no officially outlined way of achieving this. It is highly setting-dependent, and as such is completely under the control of the DM.

[kkplx]

Q 61

Assume a creature with 4 natural tentacle attacks with 10ft reach each. Can this creature

Q 61a trip viable opponents with said tentacle attack?
Q 61b attempt a trip with each tentacle attack on a full round attack?
Q 61c Choose to use its remaining attacks on a full round attack to attack the opponent it just tripped?

[Dr. Azkur]

Q62: Is there a Weapon Enhancement (or the like) that lets a composite bow adapt itself to the user's Str mod?

[Flame of Anor]

A 59

No. The description of Swift actions says that you may use one per turn, but the description of the Slow spell says that you may only use a standard or move action on your turn. That is more specific than the description of Swift actions, so it takes priority.

[Khedrac]

A 61 Yes to all.

A 59 dispute

Slow as a spell predates the existence of Swift actions so its lack of reference to them does not dictate that they cannot be performed (otherwise the PHB's lack of reference to them would do the same on normal un-slowed turns).

I don't have a Rules Compendium which is about the only source that will rule on this, but I think it isn't officially defined.

My take is that since Swift Actions are an out-growth of Free Actions the answer is Yes.

[galan]

Q 63

the flurry of blows ability says "A monk must use a full attack action to strike with a flurry of blows"

the pounce ability says "When a creature with this special attack makes a charge, it can follow with a full attack—including rake attacks if the creature also has the rake ability"

i think they don't work together- full attack and full attack action are not the same. My friend thinks both means the same.
is there a clear answer?

[Andezzar]

A 59

Flame of Anor is right. The Slow spell only allows the target to take a Move or a Standard Action. It thus removes the ability to take any other Action. So not only can you not take Swift Actions which did not exist when Slow was first printed, but you cannot take Free Actions (which did exist in the PHB) either.

Q 64

Is there a rule or guideline which kinds of custom magic items should inflict negative levels on unsuitable users? Are there guidelines for the cost of such an ability?

[Curmudgeon]

Re: A 059
A slowed creature can take only a single move action or standard action each turn, but not both (nor may it take full-round actions).
You can perform one or more free actions while taking another action normally.
You can take a swift action any time you would normally be allowed to take a free action. Because free actions are exercised while performing another action, and either a move or standard action is allowed by Slow, both free and swift actions may be performed, but only in conjunction with the specified single move or standard action.

A 062 No.

There are specific magic items with this property: Hank's Energy Bow (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20061227a) and Bow of the Wintermoon (Magic Item Compendium, page 48), but no weapon enhancement which can add such a property.

A 063 You're correct.

Full attack action is required for flurry of blows. A Charge uses up a full round, and pounce lets a Charge include a full attack, but it's a different action than that required for the Monk class feature.

[Andezzar]

Re: A 059 Because free actions are exercised while performing another action, and either a move or standard action is allowed by Slow, both free and swift actions may be performed, but only in conjunction with the specified single move or standard action.How are you still taking actions normally, if you are reduced to taking only a move or a standard action? Being slowed obviously is not normal.

Additionally a Free Action is not a Move or a Free Action. By telling us that under the effect of the Slow spell the target is only allowed to take one of these two kinds of actions, it means that he is not allowed to take any other kind of action. To still allow Free Actions and other types of actions the rules would have to say something like: "A slowed creature replaces the Move and Standard action it gets each round with a single Move or Standard Action."


A 063 You're correct.

Full attack action is required for flurry of blows. A Charge uses up a full round action, and pounce lets a Charge include a full attack, but it's a different action than that required for the Monk class feature.I fixed that for you. A Full round would take from just before the charger's turn in one round one till just before the charger's turn in the next round.

[Curmudgeon]

How are you still taking actions normally, if you are reduced to taking only a move or a standard action? Being slowed obviously is not normal.
No, but the move or standard actions are still executed normally. That is, while Slow limits the actions available in a round, it does not impose any limitations on how those actions are performed. The applicability of free actions is while other actions are being performed normally, not just in rounds which have the normal complement of actions. You can also perform free actions normally in a surprise round, despite that round being short of the normal allotment of actions.

I fixed that for you.
Thank you. That is what I had intended to write.

[Andezzar]

You can also perform free actions normally in a surprise round, despite that round being short of the normal allotment of actions.The problem is under the effect of a slow spell you are not short of a move/standard action, you are not allowed to perform any action except a move or a standard action. While you are generally allowed to perform Free Actions alongside other actions, the Slow spell only allows you to perform a Move or a Standard Action. A Free Action is neither a Move nor a Standard Action, so it and any other actions besides the aforementioned two are disallowed while under the effect of a Slow spell.

The surprise round is worded differently (lacking the word only) and even explicitly allows Free Actions:
In initiative order (highest to lowest), combatants who started the battle aware of their opponents each take a standard action during the surprise round. You can also take free actions during the surprise round.

[Gildedragon]

Q65
The lich template turns a humanoid's tye into Undead with the Augmented Humanoid subtype, as it does not specify otherwise (as is the case with the zombie)
Thus the Demilich template (which changes nothing of the lich's types and subtypes) keeps the Augmented Humanoid subtype in place.
Is this reasoning correct?

[Andezzar]

A 65

Yes.

[Darrin]

Q66

Dwarven Buckler Axe (Races of Stone) says:

"At first glance, a dwarven buckler-axe appears similar to a standard buckler, but this weapon has enlarged bladelike edges at its top and bottom, allowing the wielder to swing it like an axe. Thus, in addition to its obvious protective qualities, it proves a capable off-hand weapon or emergency weapon when disarmed.

A dwarven buckler-axe grants its wielder a +1 shield bonus to Armor Class. As with any shield, when you attack with a dwarven buckler-axe, you do not get the shield bonus to your AC."

Tordek is wielding a dwarven waraxe in his primary hand, a shortsword in his offhand, and is wearing a dwarven buckler-axe (on the same arm as the shortsword) for the +1 shield bonus.

A) If Tordek is not attacking with the *buckler axe*, but is attacking with both the waraxe and shortsword, does he retain the +1 shield bonus? (The shield bash rules say you only lose your shield bonus when using the shield as a weapon.)

B) Normal bucklers incur a -1 attack penalty for using your shield arm to wield a weapon (either as an offhand weapon or a two-handed weapon). Does a dwarven buckler axe incur the same penalty?

[Gildedragon]

A66 a
You do not keep the AC bonus. The Buckler Axe acts as a buckler and with regards to bucklers

... In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.

b
Yes. The Buckler Axe makes no exception for attacks with it

[Darrin]

A66 a
You do not keep the AC bonus. The Buckler Axe acts as a buckler and with regards to bucklers


Where do the rules state this? The buckler-axe "appears similar to a standard buckler", but at no point do the rules state "use the buckler rules". Also, if you insist on using the buckler rules, then you can't attack with a buckler-axe because you can't make shield bashes with a buckler.



b
Yes. The Buckler Axe makes no exception for attacks with it

Why would a weapon that states it is a "capable offhand weapon" not mention that you automatically get a -1 attack penalty whenever you use it as a weapon?

The buckler-axe makes no exception for itself because it never stated that it had to use the buckler rules.

[Gildedragon]

...
The buckler-axe makes no exception for itself because it never stated that it had to use the buckler rules.

Fair enough. Then you cannot hold a weapon in the same hand as the buckler axe in that case.

If it behaves like a buckler, you take the penalties to attack and lose the ac bonus if you attack with a weapon held that hand.
If it does not behave like a buckler, you do not get to hold a weapon in that hand.

[Oddman80]

Q 67
According to the rules for Animal Companions

From SRD

Bonus HD: Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Consitution modifier, as normal.


What exactly does this mean? Do you add +1 to the animal's Con ability score for each hit die gained per the accompanying chart? OR because it refers to "Constitution modifier", do you actually add +2 to the animal's Con ability score for each hit die gained? Or does it mean some other thing I can't even fathom?

[Andezzar]

A 67

Not sure what accompanying chart you mean. The animal gains extra hit points equal to its total CON modifier for each HD it possesses. For example a Wolf companion (CON 15, +2 modifier) of a 3rd level druid has 21+22 HD and thus has 2d8+2*23 + 2d8+2*23 hit points.

1 normal for a wolf
2 Bonus HD for being a 3rd level druid
3 For CON 15

[Oddman80]

A 67

Not sure what accompanying chart you mean. The animal gains extra hit points equal to its total CON modifier for each HD it possesses. For example a Wolf companion (CON 15, +2 modifier) of a 3rd level druid has 21+22 HD and thus has 2d8+2*23 + 2d8+2*23 hit points.

1 normal for a wolf
2 Bonus HD for being a 3rd level druid
3 For CON 15

That was a complicated explanation.... though it did make me realize I was TOTALLY misunderstanding what the text was saying.
I had been thrown off by the "gains a constitution modifier." part of the text. I was trying to figure out how you add to the modifier itself (facepalm). What they meant was simply add a con modifier's value of hit points on to each hit die the companion gains... I'm an idiot.

[kkplx]

Q 68

What are the rules for fitting through holes? I've had trouble finding anything on the matter on the SRD.

[Andezzar]

A 68

Here you go:

Squeezing

In some cases, you may have to squeeze into or through an area that isn’t as wide as the space you take up. You can squeeze through or into a space that is at least half as wide as your normal space. Each move into or through a narrow space counts as if it were 2 squares, and while squeezed in a narrow space you take a -4 penalty on attack rolls and a -4 penalty to AC.

When a Large creature (which normally takes up four squares) squeezes into a space that’s one square wide, the creature’s miniature figure occupies two squares, centered on the line between the two squares. For a bigger creature, center the creature likewise in the area it squeezes into.

A creature can squeeze past an opponent while moving but it can’t end its movement in an occupied square.

To squeeze through or into a space less than half your space’s width, you must use the Escape Artist skill. You can’t attack while using Escape Artist to squeeze through or into a narrow space, you take a -4 penalty to AC, and you lose any Dexterity bonus to AC.


Tight Space

The DC noted on the table(30) is for getting through a space where your head fits but your shoulders don’t. If the space is long you may need to make multiple checks. You can’t get through a space that your head does not fit through.

[kkplx]

Q 69

On behalf of creatures with multiple natural attacks grappling:

69a Can a creature with multiple natural attacks start a grapple on each natural attack in a full round attack until one succeeds?

69b If one succeeds, can the (not yet rolled) attacks each be used to "attack with a natural weapon" during grappling?

69c Can the remaining attacks (or attacks during grappling in general) be used to trip the grappled opponent? What about Disarm?

69d Would a tripped opponent (either by the grappler himself or an ally that trips him from outside the grapple or before the grapple) take a -4 to his grapple checks?

[WarKitty]

Q70

What's the best magic item for a single-use spell over 3rd level that is useable by all required classes? Basically, a scroll that doesn't require UMD.

[Gildedragon]

Q70

What's the best magic item for a single-use spell over 3rd level that is useable by all required classes? Basically, a scroll that doesn't require UMD.

A70 I think...
Best? You mean cheapest single-use spell delivery form?
The no UMD requirement limits us to wondrous items
single use-use activated ones (Spell level × caster level × 50 gp)
But as wondrous items are DM regulated...

Matters such as "Best" "Most Optimal" "Prettiest" etc are outside the purview of RAW

But actually the cheapest way to get a single use of a single spell without a UMD check is to get an NPC wizard to cast it (Spell level x caster level x 10gp)

[WarKitty]

A70 I think...
Best? You mean cheapest single-use spell delivery form?
The no UMD requirement limits us to wondrous items
single use-use activated ones (Spell level × caster level × 50 gp)
But as wondrous items are DM regulated...

Matters such as "Best" "Most Optimal" "Prettiest" etc are outside the purview of RAW

Q70 Clarification

I was mostly wondering if there was a RAW way, outside of "custom magic item", to have something that functions like a scroll but doesn't require a spellcasting class or UMD or other complicated activation.

Edit: To clarify, I need an item, not a caster.

[Gildedragon]

Q70 Clarification

I was mostly wondering if there was a RAW way, outside of "custom magic item", to have something that functions like a scroll but doesn't require a spellcasting class or UMD or other complicated activation.

Edit: To clarify, I need an item, not a caster.

A70
Above third: No
single-use no-umd items are for the most part capped at 3rd level.
If there was a particular spell you are looking for, there might be an item that produces its effect.

[No brains]

Q 71 The DMG lists limits on visibility range that are dependent on local terrain. Does RAW specify if these limits represent the visual limitations of creatures themselves (as in the case of being on an open plain or the top of a hill/mountain on a clear day) or as an estimate on approximately how far a creature could see before an ambient terrain feature would break line of sight? (as is likely the case in dense forest where all the trees in all directions eventually form a visual wall)

[Darrin]

A69



69a Can a creature with multiple natural attacks start a grapple on each natural attack in a full round attack until one succeeds?


If the creature has Improved Grab, this is simple: "Yes".

If the creature does NOT have Improved Grab, then this is considerably more difficult to answer. PHB p. 155 says:

"For monsters, grappling can mean trapping you in a toothy maw (the purple worm’s favorite tactic) or holding you down so it can claw you to pieces (the dire lion’s trick)."

On the next page, the PHB discusses what happens when you have multiple attacks:

"To start a grapple, you need to grab and hold your target. Starting a grapple requires a successful melee attack roll. If you get multiple attacks, you can attempt to start a grapple multiple times (at successively lower base attack bonuses)."

The Rules Compendium words things a little differently:

"If you can make multiple attacks due to a high base attack bonus, you can attempt to start a grapple multiple times by making a full attack."

Based on this, I have to conclude that a creature with a high BAB + multiple natural weapons but no Improved Grab can only attempt to start a grapple once. So that would be a "No".



69b If one succeeds, can the (not yet rolled) attacks each be used to "attack with a natural weapon" during grappling?


From the Rules Compendium:

"If you succeed in starting the grapple and have remaining attacks, you can use those attacks to perform other maneuvers allowed in a grapple (see Grappling Results)."

Thus, if the creature has iterative attacks remaining, "Yes".

If the creature has no iterative attacks, "No".



69c Can the remaining attacks (or attacks during grappling in general) be used to trip the grappled opponent? What about Disarm?


Based on the wording in the Rules Compendium, this is a "Yes" if you have iterative attacks remaining.

If you are a creature armed only with natural weapons, you may attempt one trip or disarm under "Attacking Your Opponent" on your next turn after the grapple has started, but you do not get multiple attempts for having additional natural weapons.



69d Would a tripped opponent (either by the grappler himself or an ally that trips him from outside the grapple or before the grapple) take a -4 to his grapple checks?

No. The -4 attack penalty only applies to melee attack rolls. A Grapple check "is like a melee attack roll", but only three things are used to calculate it: BAB + Str modifier + size modifier.

[kkplx]

Q 72

What can a psycrystal actually see with his "sighted" ability.

Does hide work? Any negatives?
Does it still abide to LoS, like walls?
Any other things I should keep in mind as a gm?

[Chronos]

A 72:

Except as stated otherwise in the ability (ignoring darkness and magical silence, limited range) a psicrystal's senses work like normal vision and hearing. Thus, it would make a Spot check to determine whether it sees a hiding creature, a Listen check to determine whether it hears a creature, and it cannot see through walls.

[Renen]

Q 73

Scenario: I am an artificer, with 3 wands of Sonic Snap, and a Rod of Many wands.
A: Can I burn 2 charges to apply fell drain feat, and inflict 3 negative levels per round?
B: How much charges WOULD be used? (Assuming A works)

[DracoDei]

Q 74 Is the strength damage from Ray of Enfeeblement doubled on a critical hit?

[Renen]

Q 74 Is the strength damage from Ray of Enfeeblement doubled on a critical hit?

A 74
Yes. But...

If an attack that causes ability damage scores a critical hit, it deals twice the indicated amount of damage (if the damage is expressed as a die range, roll two dice)

[Andezzar]

A 74

No. There is no strength damage from Ray of Enfeeblement.
The subject takes a penalty to Strength equal to 1d6+1 per two caster levels (maximum 1d6+5).
Since the attack does not deal ability damage, a critical hit does not modify the effect of the spell on the subject.

[Renen]

My mistake 74. I believe above answer is right instead of mine.

[unseenmage]

Q75

Would the Dragonshards of Eberron qualify as Magic Items, Special Materials, or Alchemical Items?

[Snowbluff]

Q76

If you are holding a touch spell, let's say chill touch, can you TWF the touch attacks and your unarmed attack?

[unseenmage]

Q78 Are Mephits subject to the hazards of starvation, thirst, and exposure to desert conditions? Particularly Mirror Mephit (EttDP208).

[Phelix-Mu]

A78

Mephits are native to the elemental planes of existence, where there is likely no food or water of note (though there may be elemental versions of plants and animals). As outsiders, though, they neither require food or sleep, though they must breathe. Water requirement seems to be rolled in with food requirement in the Monster Manual glossary.

A DM would be well within bounds to make water mephits or ice mephits more susceptible to the heat, and I believe any that have the cold subtype are affected more by the nonlethal heat damage. But a mirror mephit shouldn't be any more or less susceptible than any other outsider.

[dantiesilva]

Q79. Do Fire spells work underwater?

Example casting Mass fireshield while underwater, would it work or not be effective and canceled out due to being underwater?

[Curmudgeon]

Re: A 059
The problem is under the effect of a slow spell you are not short of a move/standard action, you are not allowed to perform any action except a move or a standard action.
A slowed creature can take only a single move action or standard action each turn, but not both (nor may it take full-round actions). The spell explicitly excludes full-round actions. Beyond that, the meaning is dependent on the definition of only (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/only?s=t&path=/) used: either "no more than" (my choice) or "without others or anything further" (your choice). The guiding principle of interpreting spells is that they do only what they state, and nothing more. Slow makes no statements regarding all actions. Consequently, I believe the interpretation of "no more than 1 of either standard or move actions (with no impact on unspecified actions)" to be consistent with best practices in adjudicating the effect of this low-level spell. It seems unreasonable to me that Slow would prevent speaking (a free action), yet still allow casting a standard action spell with verbal components. :smallconfused:

A 071

The DMG lists no changes to your visual acuity in the various terrains; only the range at which you can perceive things changes. By process of elimination, the maximum sight range is due to the features of the terrain rather than the characteristics of the viewer.

A 076 No.
Two-Weapon Fighting

If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon. While you are considered armed while your body is charged with a touch attack spell, you are not actually wielding any weapons. Accordingly, you do not qualify for TWF.

A 079 Only with a successful Spellcraft check.
Fire

Nonmagical fire (including alchemist’s fire) does not burn underwater. Spells or spell-like effects with the fire descriptor are ineffective underwater unless the caster makes a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level). If the check succeeds, the spell creates a bubble of steam instead of its usual fiery effect, but otherwise the spell works as described. A supernatural fire effect is ineffective underwater unless its description states otherwise. The surface of a body of water blocks line of effect for any fire spell. If the caster has made a Spellcraft check to make the fire spell usable underwater, the surface still blocks the spell’s line of effect.

[Andezzar]

Re: A 059 The spell explicitly excludes full-round actions. Beyond that, the meaning is dependent on the definition of only (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/only?s=t&path=/) used: either "no more than" (my choice) or "without others or anything further" (your choice).That is the same. If you replace the only in the rule you get:"A slowed creature can take no more than a single move action or standard action each turn." If you add a Free action to the single move/standard action, you are doing more than the single move/standard action. The general rule is that you get a move action a standard action and an unspecified number of free actions each turn. The Slow spell reduces this to a single move or standard action. The point is that the slow spell does not remove certain actions (which would leave the free action intact) but it tells us which action the creature is allowed to take. So no free actions.


The guiding principle of interpreting spells is that they do only what they state, and nothing more. Slow makes no statements regarding all actions. Consequently, I believe the interpretation of "no more than 1 of either standard or move actions (with no impact on unspecified actions)" to be consistent with best practices in adjudicating the effect of this low-level spell. It seems unreasonable to me that Slow would prevent speaking (a free action), yet still allow casting a standard action spell with verbal components. :smallconfused:This is most likely RAI and does not create further inconsistencies, but I don't see it represented in the RAW.

[unseenmage]

Q80

Can True Creation and his buddies be used to make thermal variants of a given item/substance?

Frozen water instead of liquid water?
Steam instead of liquid water?

Could it be used to make molten lead instead of room temperature lead?

[Curmudgeon]

Re: A 059
That is the same. If you replace the only in the rule you get:"A slowed creature can take no more than a single move action or standard action each turn." If you add a Free action to the single move/standard action, you are doing more than the single move/standard action. I disagree; it's not the same. You're reading this as "not more than" instead of "no more than". "Not more" would exclude other actions, while "no more" simply limits the count of the specified terms (no more than 1 move action vs. the 2 normally allowed in a round).

A 080 No.

The effect of True Creation is an unattended object, which means it will be at ambient temperature absent some notice to the contrary. True Creation doesn't specify any extra capability in this regard, so you can only create ice if the temperature at the site of casting is below freezing, or steam if the temperature there is above boiling.

[Ruethgar]

Q 81 Are Yellow, Orange and Purple dragons true dragons or does Races of the Dragon overwrite them?

[Niwrad]

Q82: if a creature has shield other cast upon it and damage reduction, does the damage taken by both the caster go through the targets dr first? Eg, if Fred has dr10 and Bob casts shield other on Fred, then Fred takes 12 damage, 2 after dr. How much damage does Bob take, 1, or 6?

[Curmudgeon]

A 082

Half the damage of the attack is transferred via Shield Other, so DR applies only on the original attack's target. Because DR provides no reduction to damage from spells, the caster of Shield Other takes the other half of the damage without their own damage reduction (if any) having any effect.

[Raging Ghost]

Q83: Is there a way to obtain more feats other than being a/multiclassing as a fighter?

[Andezzar]

A 83 Partial

There are many classes that give bonus feats. The Wizard is even in the PHB. Listing them all would be beyond the scope of the thread.

The Heroics spell gives you a fighter bonus feat for the duration of the spell. Bite of the Were-X also gives you some feats.

[PraxisVetli]

Q84
How, other that naturally or Barbarian ACF's, can one acquire Rend?

Q85
How can I get a creature to attack twice with one Natural weapon. As in, If I have two claws and a bite, then is there a way to get to use all three twice?
the Catch: I'm a humanoid, so Rapidstrike doesn't cover it.

[ShurikVch]

Q 86

Can Dragon Descendant (http://dndtools.eu/classes/dragon-descendant/)'s Eldritch Ancestor be used instead Eldritch blast for Eldritch Claws?

[Curmudgeon]

A 083 additional

Character Flaws (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/characterFlaws.htm) allow up to two additional feats at first level. Serving an Elder Evil (Elder Evils, page 10) will grant the character bonus feats (1 bonus feat initially, plus an extra bonus feat for every 5 character levels or HD) from a restricted list.

A 084


Girallon's Blessing spell (Spell Compendium, page 106)
Girallon Arms soulmeld (Magic of Incarnum, page 86), though it doesn't use the term "rend"
Frostrager level 5 class feature (Frostburn, pages 60-62)
Black Blood Cultist level 6 class feature (Champions of Ruin, pages 44-48)
Ipos level 6 vestige (Tome of Magic, pages 36-37)
Feral template with 12+ racial HD (Savage Species, pages 115-116)
A 086 No.
An eldritch blast deals 1d6 points of damage at 1st level and increases in power as the warlock rises in level. An eldritch blast is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell.
Starting at 5th level ... This ranged touch attack affects a single target, allows no saving throw, and deals 1d6 points of damage per two dragon descendant class levels. The ray is the equivalent of a spell whose level is equal to one-half your dragon descendant class level (round down). You could ask your DM for a house rule widening the allowed prerequisites for Eldritch Claws (Dragon # 358, page 87), but these class abilities are different by RAW.

[daemonaetea]

Q 87

Not quite a rules question, but too simple for a thread. I recall reading of a 3.5 monster from an official source which was made of magical debris. Mostly scrolls and other simple items of magic. I believe it may also have been tied to phylactery's in some way. Would any of you happen to recall the name and book of this monster?

[Gildedragon]

A87
Grisgol, MM3 76-77
Construct

[AlanBruce]

Q.88

Would someone who cast True Strike and one round later hurled an orb of X at a blinking enemy ignore the 50% miss chance?

[Andezzar]

A 88

Only if you can see ethereal creatures. Trues Strike lets you ignore the 20% miss chance for concealment, but not the 50% miss chance for being ethereal.

[Xaroth]

A 002 No, and no.

Natural healing being suspended is just one of the manifestations of the timeless planar trait (Dungeon Master's Guide, page 148). Essentially, all operations with a duration-based effect aren't functional until you leave a timeless plane, at which time those effects are applied retroactively.

Q 89

Does this mean that instead of wishing to keep a Tarrasque dead after killing it, one could simply throw it into the Astral Plane and it wouldn't come back to life unless removed from the Astral Plane?

[Andezzar]

A 89

Yup.

[Ruethgar]

A 81 Purple, Orange and Yellow dragons are not true dragons despite their stat blocks saying as such. Because Dragon Compendium is a D&D product(was hoping it only said d20), the Races of the Dragon overrides them to be lesser dragons.

[Gildedragon]

A 81 Purple, Orange and Yellow dragons are not true dragons despite their stat blocks saying as such. Because Dragon Compendium is a D&D product(was hoping it only said d20), the Races of the Dragon overrides them to be lesser dragons.

Counter Answer 81
Oranges, Yellows, and Purples are true dragons.
The list of Races of the Dragon merely means they do not have non-dragon inheritors (ie: they are not available as a draconic heritage), as it is not a list of "all true dragons" but of the "draconic heritage of all true dragons". Without a heritage they would not qualify for the list.
While they do not appear in the Draconomicon True Dragon list, they do not appear in the Lesser Dragon list either as Draconomicon does not refer to them as they are a latter appearance (Draconomicon is 2003, Dragon Compendium, 2005).
As such the only evidence for the nature of Oranges Yellows and Purples is the article detailing them. They are true dragons.

Edit: Also, did you answer your own question?

[Niwrad]

Q 90: Regarding a sea hag's evil eye ability. Is the fortitude save vs death in addition to the save vs daze? Or is it only if the victim fails the save vs daze?

[FoshM]

Q 91

With regard to the many different types of Spider type creatures that exist in D&D that can throw webs as nets some amount of times per day, where do the webs come from? Does the creature have to have them spun in advance? Can it spin them in combat? If so how many rounds does that take, or is spinning and throwing just a single full round action?

[Gildedragon]

A90 Only if the daze affects you, ie: fail the saving throw and are not immune to daze or fear.

[AlanBruce]

Q. 92

Would a Limited Wish's "automatic hit" clause allow someone to strike unenrigly at a target who has blink on and the possibility to use Wings of Cover? Or would these effects still protect the target?

[Curmudgeon]

A 092

The specified effect is "automatically hitting on its next attack" rather than treating their attack roll as a 20; hence Limited Wish's effect includes overcoming miss chance from cover. However, Wings of Cover is more specific than that:
Your foe's first attack in this round cannot be made and is wasted against you You could, of course, instead Wish that the second attack hit automatically; that's of identical power level.

[Metahuman1]

Q 93 A dragonwroght Loredrake Kobold Sorcerer with the Draconic Wright of Passage and planning to take the greater version, would be able to...

Cast Spells 3 levels higher and would as a result know spells as if 3 levels higher?

Would simply be able to cast as 3 levels higher and would need to put in additional resources to also know spells 3 levels higher to cast?

Or, would simply be treated as 3 levels higher for caster level and spells per day?

[PraxisVetli]

Q94
does Unarmed Swordsage variant grant Improved Unarmed Strike?
It only says " give the Swordsage the monk's unarmed strike progression"

[torrasque666]

Q95: When using Gestalt mechanics, do Racial Hit Die only apply to one side of the gestalt or both?

[Sliver]

Q96

Can you use an immediate action during your own actions?

Example: You are casting a spell and an opponent readied an action to attack you when you cast a spell. Can you use Wings of Cover to avoid being hit and pull of your spell without the risk of it fizzling due to a botched concentration check?

[Curmudgeon]

A 094 Ask your DM.

The Swordsage "Adaptation" paragraph is short on such details; it's not a fully realized variant. Your individual DM will have to fill in the missing pieces.

A 096

Yes, you can use an immediate action on your turn. However, that doesn't change the other rules regarding casting spells, in two ways:

A readied action to interrupt a spell being cast actually does interrupt it in progress rather than preempt it the way most readied actions do. As such, you would lose the interrupted spell unless you succeeded on the required Concentration check.
Distracting Spellcasters
You can ready an attack against a spellcaster with the trigger "if she starts casting a spell." If you damage the spellcaster, she may lose the spell she was trying to cast (as determined by her Concentration check result).
If you decide to cast another spell (Wings of Cover) you would lose the first spell automatically (no Concentration check allowed), because you cannot concentrate on two spells simultaneously.

[Sliver]

Q 96 Cont

What if you use an immediate that isn't a spell? Like Shadow Cloak's ability to teleport you 10ft.

[Andezzar]

A 96

Immediate actions can be taken in conjunction with other actions as well as out of your turn:
An immediate action is very similar to a swift action, but can be performed at any time — even if it's not your turn.

[Ruethgar]

Counter Answer:Reply 81

Counter Answer 81
Oranges, Yellows, and Purples are true dragons.
Edit: Also, did you answer your own question?


"The information here expands [the half dragon list] to include all true dragons published in DUNGEONS & DRAGONS products to date. It supersedes any other previously published information on this topic."

-Races of the Dragon 2006 p. 69

If a true dragon from a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS product printed before Races of the Dragon was not re-printed in Races of the Dragon, it is no longer a true dragon.

And yes, yes I did.

[Khatoblepas]

Q97

How long does Widen Supernatural AbilityToM last on a supernatural aura ability that doesn't have a stated duration, such as Winter's Chill DrComp? The aura radius would increase from 5ft to 10ft, but how long would this last? One round? Until the aura is suppressed? Forever?

[Andezzar]

A 97

Since Widen Supernatural Ability does restrict the duration of the Supernatural Ability, Winter Chill will remain widened until it is somehow deactivated.

[PraxisVetli]

Q98
Is there a way to, as a Small creature, latch onto another, much larger creature, so as to enable attacks like rake?
The default answer is to Grapple, but isn't there a limitation that you can only grapple things so much bigger than you? And even if there aren't, with out extreme spec'ing and optimization, how does a Small creature successfully make the check against, say, a Great Wyrm Gold?
The goal here isn't to pin, its to grab onto the side of the beast and claw at it.

Is there some sort of Climb check alteration that would work?

[Oddman80]

Q 99
Can you trade down higher level spell slots for additional uses of lower level spells?

[Andezzar]

A 99

No, but you can fill your higher level spell slots with lower level spells on a day to day basis.

[Gildedragon]

A 99

No, but you can fill your higher level spell slots with lower level spells on a day to day basis.

A99 Correction

But with the Arcane Manipulation feat from LEoF you can do this to up to three slots, breaking them into the sum of spell levels (0 counts as .5) so a 1st can be broken into two 0ths, a 2nd into two 1sts or four 0ths, or two 0ths and a 1st, a 3rd into a 2nd and a 1st, or... so on and so forth, with no limit to how many slots you can generate as long as the total sum is equal to the spell slot so broken down (so 18 tops, a 9th into 18 0ths)

[Oddman80]

A 99

No, but you can fill your higher level spell slots with lower level spells on a day to day basis.

That's what I meant, thanks.

[Flame of Anor]

Counter Answer:Reply 81

If a true dragon from a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS product printed before Races of the Dragon was not re-printed in Races of the Dragon, it is no longer a true dragon.

Re: 81

But if it says that it will "include all true dragons published in DUNGEONS & DRAGONS products to date", that says that any true dragons published in D&D products should be included. If they are not included, this may be seen as an omission in the printing, but it can still be inferred that they are meant to be on the list.

[Duke of Urrel]

Q 100

According to the description of the Polymorph spell in the Player's Handbook:


You can’t cause a subject to assume a form smaller than Fine…

But how can a creature be smaller than Fine-sized? Is there any mention of this anywhere in the rules?

[Ruethgar]

ReRe: 81
Re: 81
But if it says that it will "include all true dragons published in DUNGEONS & DRAGONS products to date", that says that any true dragons published in D&D products should be included. If they are not included, this may be seen as an omission in the printing, but it can still be inferred that they are meant to be on the list.

That is RAI, this form is RAW

A 100 There are I believe third party extrapolations for extremely small and large creatures, however in the base rules, Fine covers anything smaller than 6 inches. So you could polymorph into a microbe if there were stats for it.

[Andezzar]

Q 101

Is there a clarification somewhere that situational modifiers that no longer apply are not used in the cleave attack? Example A character affected by True Strike and the Invisibility spell drops a foe while in a flanking position. Where is the rule that the cleave attack does not also get the +24?

[Flame of Anor]

A 101

The text for Cleave says that you make an extra attack which is "at the same bonus" as the original.

The key part here is that it does NOT say "with the same bonuses". An attack is made "at" a base attack bonus, but "with" any other bonuses. If it referred to other bonuses, it would use the word "with" and pluralize "bonus". The singular "bonus" means that the feat duplicates only the base attack bonus. All other bonuses must be applied on their own merits (such as if the second target were flanked).

And in the case of true strike, at least, specific trumps general: even if Cleave did say you make your attack "with the same bonuses", true strike says that it can only be applied to a "single attack roll", which is more specific.

[Andezzar]

Q 101 Follow Up

That makes no sense at all. The BAB is always the same for a character of a given level. He may get iterative attacks at a penalty (BAB-5, BAB -10, etc) but the BAB does not change in that case. So the "at the same bonus" is absolutely superfluous if it did mean BAB. Which leads me to think that the totality of your attack bonus is meant.

[Duke of Urrel]

Q 102

Let me pick up Andezzar's question (Q 101) "from the other end," so to speak.

Where is it stated in the rules that by default, any extra attack you make adds one's full BAB, rather than one's BAB adding all the normal iteration penalties (-5, -10, etc.)?

Where is it stated, for example, that if your BAB is +7 and you fight with two weapons, your attacks add +7, +2, and +7 (plus modifiers) rather than +7, +2, and -3 (plus modifiers)?

I have just looked at the rules for two-weapon fighting, and although I am aware that one's off-hand attack should be made at one's undiminished BAB, I can't find that rule right now, and it's making me nervous.

On the other hand, I have always interpreted the text of the Cleave feat to mean that one's extra attack adds the same reduced BAB (that is, BAB plus iteration penalty) as the attack that just felled an enemy.

My understanding of the BAB thus far has always been that it is a thing that naturally diminishes with each iteration, unless some rule states otherwise. This interpretation has served me well so far, but it's being challenged now, and I would appreciate clarification.

[Samalpetey]

Q 103

If a bow and the arrows it fires both have an enhancement bonus to hit and damage, do they stack?

[Curmudgeon]

A 103 No.
Ranged Weapons and Ammunition

The enhancement bonus from a ranged weapon does not stack with the enhancement bonus from ammunition. Only the higher of the two enhancement bonuses applies. Different weapon enhancements from projectile weapon and ammunition get added, but they do not stack. A +1 flaming bow and a +3 arrow result in a +3 flaming attack.

[Flame of Anor]

Q 101 Follow Up

That makes no sense at all. The BAB is always the same for a character of a given level. He may get iterative attacks at a penalty (BAB-5, BAB -10, etc) but the BAB does not change in that case. So the "at the same bonus" is absolutely superfluous if it did mean BAB. Which leads me to think that the totality of your attack bonus is meant.

You're right, I worded it wrong. Is there a word for "BAB plus any iteration penalties but not other bonuses"? Because that's what I meant.

[torrasque666]

Q104: When determining when LA buy off becomes available, is it on a per source(such as multiple templates) basis or on a sum basis?

[Andezzar]

A 104

Only your total LA and class levels are relevant for aavailability of the buy-off. RHD and the source(s) of the LA are of no importance to that.

[Curmudgeon]

Re: A 104 [correction]
Only your total LA and class levels are relevant. RHD and the source(s) of the LA are of no importance.
Racial HD are a component of ECL, and the current ECL is used to compute the XP cost to buy off each LA. While only class levels and level adjustment are used to determine the LA reduction schedule, RHD are still of noteworthy importance in the LA buyoff process. Simply put, you can't buy off any level adjustment until you have enough XP to cover the cost, and RHD increase that cost.

[Andezzar]

Re: A 104 [correction]
Racial HD are a component of ECL, and the current ECL is used to compute the XP cost to buy off each LA. While only class levels and level adjustment are used to determine the LA reduction schedule, RHD are still of noteworthy importance in the LA buyoff process.True, but Q 104 only asked about the availability of the buy off, not its XP calculation. Only LA and class levels are used to determine when you can buy off LA.

[Xaroth]

Q 105

Is there a feat that allows you to Sunder as a free action?

[KillianHawkeye]

Re: 105

Do you mean Sunder as a free action after a successful attack? Or just *BAM* Sunder as a free action?

Either way, I am 98.75% certain that no such feat exists. Sundering takes up an attack from your normal attack routine (whatever that is) and that is a pretty solid portion of the core rules that the writers aren't likely to change.

[Umbranar]

Q106:

If you are a Swordsage/Warmind with sweeping strikes, how does sweeping strikes interact with a melee maneuver?

[Curmudgeon]

Q 107
You can’t sunder armor worn by another character. Is there a way (feat, class ability, or whatever) to create an exception to this rule? (I'm not interested in spells, rusting attacks, or any other means of damaging worn armor, but simply a way to make the armor vulnerable to sunder attacks while worn.)

[MizuDevil]

Q107:
Is some class with full BAB and with hide, move silently as class skill?
Q108:
Does feat Two Weapon Pounce allow make full attack action after charge or it allow only 1 attack with main and off hand`s?

[Andezzar]

A 108

Definitely no Full Attack (it does not allow you to use any natural attacks you might have). The feat allows you to attack with both weapons (once), it does not give you permission to attack more than once with either weapon but does not deny it either.

[Chronos]

A 107:

Yes, the ranger (plus several prestige classes).

[No brains]

A 105
Sundering Cleave, a use of the Combat Brute tactical feat from Complete Warrior gives a bonus attack on the wielder after breaking their weapon.

Also, while not a 'free' action and not really a 'sunder', you could quicken some spell and target a weapon with it.

[Andezzar]

Q 110

Is there a spell or weapon special ability that returns a thrown weapon to the thrower right away instead of at the beginning of his next turn?

[Inevitability]

Q111 Warforged are living constructs. Does that mean that templates that can be applied to, I quote, 'any living creature', can be applied to them?

[MizuDevil]

Q112:
Does I get multiplies attack (How with full BAB at 6 lvl and either) when I take multy classes (For example, 3 lvl Barbarian+ 3 lvl Ranger)?
Q113:
Do I get exp penalty when I take Prestige, as from multyclases?

[Gildedragon]

A111
Yes

A113
No

[Inevitability]

Sweet! That brings up another question:

Q114 If I change the creature type of my warforged, does it still gain the benefits for being a living construct?

[Andezzar]

A 112

Yes

[knightotdolphin]

Q115

If I wield a one-handed weapon in both hands, do I receive a +4 on sunder and disarm attempts as if wielding a two-handed weapon?

[Xaroth]

Q 116

Would a character that is victim to a Rend attack that tore them in half die immediately? If not, what exactly would be the effects of them being torn in half? Except of course no longer having a lower body.

[MizuDevil]

Q117:
Whom whick book is Rage variant: Whirling Frenzy ?

[Harlot]

Q 118

Does Damage reduction stack?

I have an Unselie Fey warlock lvl. 4.
Warlock should have damage reduction 1/cold iron. (listed as su)
Unselie Fey Tempaltes grants damage reduction 5/iron (is that ex?) at HD 4-7.


So how does it pan out?
If he's hit with an iron sword, would DR be 1?
If he's hit with a Cold Iron sword, would DR be 5?
If he is hit with Claws or rays, would DR be 6?

Thanks
/Harlot

Edit; Answered, thanks :-)

[No brains]

Re 116 You might want to consider starting a thread on this question. Getting ripped in half by a rend attack sounds pretty far outside the standard rules of D&D, so I think this question needs more attention than can be given here.

If the question is on the generic nature of the Rend attack, it is just extra damage and doesn't actually rip people in half.

[Harlot]

A 117: Unearthed Arcana, p. 66

[Khedrac]

A 118
Generally no, unless it explicitly says it stacks it doesn't stack. They get applied in parallel, so with DR1/Cold Iron and DR5/Cold Iron it is going to be DR5/Cold Iron.

[Andezzar]

A 115

Apparently not. The Sunder rules make no concession for one-handed weapons wielded with two hands.

[Gildedragon]

A117

Unearthed Arcana, but it is also in the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/classFeatureVariants.htm#rageVariantWhirlingFrenzy )

A118


If a creature has damage reduction from more than one source, the two forms of damage reduction do not stack. Instead, the creature gets the benefit of the best damage reduction in a given situation.

If he's hit with an iron sword, would DR be 1?
Yes but you take an additional +1d6
If he's hit with a Cold Iron sword, would DR be 5?
No, Cold Iron is a subset of Iron
If he is hit with Claws or rays, would DR be 6?
No it is DR 5

edit: so swordsaged

[Gildedragon]

A114
Depends on the template. Certain templates remove all prior bonuses and types (such as the Skeleton template)
But generally yes, you keep the benefits of your original type (which is now a subtype: augmented construct). Though note that living construct is a subtype, not a type, and as such nothing changes. You do however keep all the features of the construct type

Rules Basis:

If a template changes the base creature’s type, the creature also acquires the augmented subtype unless the template description indicates otherwise. The augmented subtype is always paired with the creature’s original type. Unless a template indicates otherwise, the new creature has the traits of the new type but the features of the original type.

Augmented Subtype:
...A creature with the augmented subtype usually has the traits of its current type, but the features of its original type.

[Darkweave31]

Q119 How does clockwork armor interact with freedom of movement for the purposes of freezing when hit by cold damage or when damaged and suffering a breakdown?

Details of each breakdown are left to the DM but should primarily include partial paralysis (like frozen armor, but affecting only arms or legs), and/or repetitive arm motion (eliminating the wearer's Dex bonus) or leg motion (forcing the wearer to move at base speed each round).

Source http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cw/20070212a

[kkplx]

Q 120

Spells like Handfire or Scalding Touch have a duration of instantaneous and allow you to "touch multiple creatures".

Q 120a: Does that mean that any remaining charges are "held" by the caster until expended, be it by accident or by touching other creatures and objects?
Q 120b: If said caster transforms into a Hydra and then manages to cast, let's say, Scalding Touch, will each successfull hit with a natural attack automatically consume and set off one charge of Scalding Touch?

[Darkweave31]

A120

a) no
b) no, touch spells can't generally be delivered by natural attacks see below

Source: SRD
"Touch
You must touch a creature or object to affect it. A touch spell that deals damage can score a critical hit just as a weapon can. A touch spell threatens a critical hit on a natural roll of 20 and deals double damage on a successful critical hit. Some touch spells allow you to touch multiple targets. You can touch as many willing targets as you can reach as part of the casting, but all targets of the spell must be touched in the same round that you finish casting the spell."

"Touch Spells and Holding the Charge
In most cases, if you don’t discharge a touch spell on the round you cast it, you can hold the charge (postpone the discharge of the spell) indefinitely. You can make touch attacks round after round. If you cast another spell, the touch spell dissipates.

Some touch spells allow you to touch multiple targets as part of the spell. You can’t hold the charge of such a spell; you must touch all targets of the spell in the same round that you finish casting the spell."

[No brains]

Q 121 I've seen a lot of questions about 'multiple touch attacks' so I want to clear some things up.

a) When a caster casts a touch spell, can they make a touch attack against each creature within their natural reach if the spell allows multiple, instantaneous, touch attacks of unspecified quantity?

b) Are 'multiple touch attacks' made as an iterative full attack?

c) Page 141 of the PHB states one can "touch up to six friends as a full-round action". Is six the total limit of creatures that can be affected by a touch spell?

d) Can only multiple friends be touched?

If there is any way to give a concise answer without addressing a), b), c) or d), please go ahead.

[kkplx]

Q 121 clarification?


Holding the Charge
If you don’t discharge the spell in the round when you cast the spell, you can hold the discharge of the spell (hold the charge) indefinitely. You can continue to make touch attacks round after round. You can touch one friend as a standard action or up to six friends as a full-round action. If you touch anything or anyone while holding a charge, even unintentionally, the spell discharges. If you cast another spell, the touch spell dissipates. Alternatively, you may make a normal unarmed attack (or an attack with a natural weapon) while holding a charge. In this case, you aren’t considered armed and you provoke attacks of opportunity as normal for the attack. (If your unarmed attack or natural weapon attack doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity, neither does this attack.) If the attack hits, you deal normal damage for your unarmed attack or natural weapon and the spell discharges. If the attack misses, you are still holding the charge.

Doesn't this text from the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm)show the exact opposite of what you answered to 121b?


A120

a) no
b) no, touch spells can't generally be delivered by natural attacks

Source: SRD
"Touch
You must touch a creature or object to affect it. A touch spell that deals damage can score a critical hit just as a weapon can. A touch spell threatens a critical hit on a natural roll of 20 and deals double damage on a successful critical hit. Some touch spells allow you to touch multiple targets. You can touch as many willing targets as you can reach as part of the casting, but all targets of the spell must be touched in the same round that you finish casting the spell."

"Touch Spells and Holding the Charge
In most cases, if you don’t discharge a touch spell on the round you cast it, you can hold the charge (postpone the discharge of the spell) indefinitely. You can make touch attacks round after round. If you cast another spell, the touch spell dissipates.

Some touch spells allow you to touch multiple targets as part of the spell. You can’t hold the charge of such a spell; you must touch all targets of the spell in the same round that you finish casting the spell."

[Darkweave31]

Q 121 clarification?



Doesn't this text from the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm)show the exact opposite of what you answered to 121b?

Sorry, missed that. Still no in the case of scalding touch and similar since touch attacks that have multiple targets can't be held. I'll edit to clarify.

[Muggins]

Q 122

Is the slime lord's paralytic slime ability exclusive to their pesudopods, a seperate class feature? If so, the second sentence seems unnecessarily vague about what "a slime lord's natural attack" is.

[Umbranar]

Q106:

If you are a Swordsage/Warmind with sweeping strikes, how does sweeping strikes interact with a melee maneuver?

Anybody who knows the answer?

[justiceforall]

Q 123

If a character with pounce uses a surprise round to partial charge a target, do they still get a full attack?

[Andezzar]

A 123

There is no partial charge, it is always a "full" charge even if you are only allowed to move your speed. Pounce allows you to make a Full attack following a charge, even one with less allowed movement.

[St Fan]

Q 124

Is there anywhere in the rules a "Juvenile Template" or other set of guidelines to create a character or creature younger than usual? Or would it need to be homebrewed?

[Curmudgeon]

A 120a [correction] Yes.
Some touch spells allow you to touch multiple targets as part of the spell. You can’t hold the charge of such a spell; you must touch all targets of the spell in the same round that you finish casting the spell. The rules regarding touch spells are confusing, because those come in two types:

willing target touch spells, where the touch is delivered as part of the casting; and
touch attack spells, which allow a target to be attacked in the same round as the casting but not as part of the casting itself.

The quote from Darkweave31's answer only refers to the first type, where the touch is delivered as part of the casting. Touch attack spells do not use that mechanism, and this "can't hold the charge" restriction does not apply to them. Both Handfire (Magic of Faerûn, page 98) and Scalding Touch (Magic of Eberron, pages 100-101) instantaneously charge the caster's body with multiple spell charges. Each successful touching attack will deliver a spell charge.

Touch Spells in Combat

Many spells have a range of touch. To use these spells, you cast the spell and then touch the subject, either in the same round or any time later. In the same round that you cast the spell, you may also touch (or attempt to touch) the target. You may take your move before casting the spell, after touching the target, or between casting the spell and touching the target. You can automatically touch one friend or use the spell on yourself, but to touch an opponent, you must succeed on an attack roll.

Touch Attacks
Touching an opponent with a touch spell is considered to be an armed attack and therefore does not provoke attacks of opportunity. However, the act of casting a spell does provoke an attack of opportunity. Touch attacks come in two types: melee touch attacks and ranged touch attacks. You can score critical hits with either type of attack. Your opponent’s AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.

Holding the Charge
If you don’t discharge the spell in the round when you cast the spell, you can hold the discharge of the spell (hold the charge) indefinitely. You can continue to make touch attacks round after round. You can touch one friend as a standard action or up to six friends as a full-round action. If you touch anything or anyone while holding a charge, even unintentionally, the spell discharges. If you cast another spell, the touch spell dissipates. Alternatively, you may make a normal unarmed attack (or an attack with a natural weapon) while holding a charge. In this case, you aren’t considered armed and you provoke attacks of opportunity as normal for the attack. (If your unarmed attack or natural weapon attack doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity, neither does this attack.) If the attack hits, you deal normal damage for your unarmed attack or natural weapon and the spell discharges. If the attack misses, you are still holding the charge.
A 120b [correction] Yes.

See the highlighted sentence in the spoilered quote, above.

A 124

This would require a homebrew solution. The age rules (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/description.htm#age) have a minimum starting age and aging effects only after that age; there are no table entries going in the other direction.

[Harlot]

Q125

Under the retraining rules i PHBII, would I be able to switch my current lvl. 1 feat with 'Beautys Bounty' http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fey/20030815a and thus get all of the extra hitpoints from my maxed-out CHA score?

/Harlot

[Andezzar]

A 125

Yes, if you can prove that you would have met the prerequisite at level 1.

[Harlot]

@A125

A 125

Yes, if you can prove that you would have met the prerequisite at level 1.

Thats being fey. Which I am- Awesome. Thanx for the quick reply :-)

[Gildedragon]

A106:
Depends on the maneuver. Strikes that modify the attack (such as shadow blade technique) ought apply to both attacks

[St Fan]

A 125

Yes, if you can prove that you would have met the prerequisite at level 1.

A 125 contention

The retraining rules specifies, for feats: "If the new feat has prerequisites, not only must your character meet them in his current state"...

This mean a character of 2nd level or higher cannot retrain a feat for another that must be picked at 1st level, (i.e. at character creation), as he's no longer 1st level "in his current state".

[Andezzar]

A 125 Clarification

The Prerequisite for that Feat is only to be Fey. If the character always was Fey both conditions are met. The requirement for the Feat to be taken at 1st level is under the Special section, it is not a Prerequisite.

Since the new feat replaces the 1st level feat it will also be as if the character selected it at first level.

[Vaz]

q126; If a character uses a scroll or other spell trigger item, are they considered the "caster" of the spell?

[Curmudgeon]

A 126 Partially.

Completing a spell (scroll) or triggering a spell (wand) is considered casting the spell, according to the DMG. However, only the item creator sets the caster level, so in that respect the item user is not the caster. Neither the item creator nor the user set the ability which determines the DC of the effect; that's always the minimum necessary for casting the spell. So, depending on what specific aspect your question refers to, the answer to whether they're the caster is yes, no, or N/A.

[Mongrel]

Q127: How does Detect Magic interact with invisible people/objects? Can you detect the invisibility spell? If so, can you pinpoint the location of an invisible thing by concentrating for three rounds? If so, does it need to remain stationary for you to be able to do that?

For example, there's an invisible chest and an invisible rogue in the room the party's in. Nothing else in the room is magical. The party's spellcaster casts detect magic. Do the auras for the invisibility spells register? The caster then concentrates a full three rounds, but during those rounds the rogue moves from one end of the room to another. Is the caster able to detect exactly where the rogue is at the end of the third round? What about the chest?

[pilvento]

Q128: Monster advancing by Hit Die, If I am advancing a magical beast like an hydra and its Hit Die total becomes 45 (Kaiju Template). Does the creature BaB caps at one point or it advances for each Hit Die it now has? Since its a magical beast, is its BaB now 45? Thanks!

[Curmudgeon]

A 127

Yes, you can detect all magical auras in a cone with Detect Magic, but if an aura source has been moving in the last few rounds you'll get a confusingly high count of aura hits because there will be dim auras in all the squares either the Rogue or chest has been in during the last 1d6 rounds. In the 3rd round you'll only get a higher-strength "faint" aura location when a low-level spell has been present for all 3 rounds of your concentration. That means you'll likely pick up the location of the faint Illusion school aura in the chest's location, but nothing higher than dim in the Rogue's location unless they haven't moved in 3+ rounds. If the Rogue moves to a different location, the "presence" you detect in the first round of concentration is no longer valid and the study of the auras in the area must start anew.

[Chronos]

A 128: BAB due to racial hit dice continues indefinitely. It's only class levels which are subject to the epic attack bonus rules. Thus, a 45 HD hydra would in fact have a BAB of +45.

Note that, on a creature which can make iterative attacks, you still only get a maximum of four iterative attacks, no matter how high your BAB is.

[Rofltrollcopter]

Q 129 What happens if a creature is bullrushed into a space occupied by another creature?

[Curmudgeon]

A 129 It can't happen.
Ending Your Movement
You can’t end your movement in the same square as another creature unless it is helpless.
Accidentally Ending Movement in an Illegal Space
Sometimes a character ends its movement while moving through a space where it’s not allowed to stop. When that happens, put your miniature in the last legal position you occupied, or the closest legal position, if there’s a legal position that’s closer. Because ending the Bull Rush in an occupied space is illegal, the movement actually stops in the last position which is legal. The character doing the rushing stops in the space before that.

[Oko and Qailee]

Q 130
Can you cast an immediate action in the middle of casting a 1 round spell?
Ex. I begin casting Summon Monster, later in the round, but before its my turn I cast Close Wounds (immediate action spell).
Is that allowed? I would argue no because

"you must continue the concentration from the current round to just before your turn in the next round"

but I want to be sure.

[Curmudgeon]

A 130 No.
Concentration
To cast a spell, you must concentrate. If something interrupts your concentration while you’re casting, you must make a Concentration check or lose the spell. The more distracting the interruption and the higher the level of the spell you are trying to cast, the higher the DC is. If you fail the check, you lose the spell just as if you had cast it to no effect. You can only concentrate one one thing at a time (barring special exceptions). Concentrating to cast a new spell means you cease concentrating on the first spell, which is immediately lost. So your surmise is correct.

[Ferronach]

Q 131:

As a Shadow Sentinel you obtain an "Umbral Blade" Races of Destiny p. 137 which "you can't add other special properties or powers to" at first level of the PrC.

If you have the Feat "Improved Critical" for the weapon type that matches that of your "Umbral blade" does the feat take effect or, does this count as a property or power?

Thank-you in advance.

[Gildedragon]

A131
The feat takes effect. The feat modifies your skill with the weapon not the weapon itself (unlike the keen enhancement).
That they have equivalent non-stacking effects is besides the point.