Simple RAW Thread for 3.5 #34: Mere mortal, not immortal, not starcrossed, anymore

[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.)
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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.

[Debatra]

Reposting a few (not all) unanswered questions from the last thread:

Q 1
Assuming undead aren't involved, can Bracers of Entangling Might (MIC 80) be used with Chill Touch to deal extra Strength damage?

Q2
Assuming a caster level of 20, what first-level spell gives the largest bonus (of any type) to AC?

Q3
What if any rules exist for when flight has no listed maneuverability?

Q4
If you have both the Knock-Down and Vae School feats, do you get two attempts to trip an enemy if they're flat-footed when you deal at least ten damage to them with a whip or spiked chain?
---

A humanoid or monstrous humanoid slain by a vampire’s energy drain rises as a vampire spawn 1d4 days after burial.

If the vampire instead drains the victim’s Constitution to 0 or lower, the victim returns as a spawn if it had 4 or less HD and as a vampire if it had 5 or more HD. In either case, the new vampire or spawn is under the command of the vampire that created it and remains enslaved until its master’s destruction. At any given time a vampire may have enslaved spawn totaling no more than twice its own Hit Dice; any spawn it creates that would exceed this limit are created as free-willed vampires or vampire spawn. A vampire that is enslaved may create and enslave spawn of its own, so a master vampire can control a number of lesser vampires in this fashion. A vampire may voluntarily free an enslaved spawn in order to enslave a new spawn, but once freed, a vampire or vampire spawn cannot be enslaved again.

Q 5-A
Assume a Vampire with ten HD. Does the bolded portion mean this vampire can control up 20 HD worth of vampires/spawn, or that he may control up to 20 individual vampires/spawn regardless of their HD?

Q 5-B
If the former: If a vampire is exactly at his limit of commanded vampires/spawn, what happens if one of his commanded vampires/spawn gains a level?
---
Q 6
Are there any magic items that truly provide infinite rope?

A Spool of "Endless" Rope can only provide 500' of rope at a time, which disappears if it's separated from the spool.

Q 7
An Incarnate/Wizard with Lightning Gauntlets (Magic of Incarnum, pg 76) bound casts Whirling Blade (Spell Compendium, pg 238). Does the electricity damage apply to all attacks, or only the first?

Q 8
Is a Kensai's (Complete Warrior, pg 49) Signature Weapon limited by his level in total power, or just added power?

For example, let's say a 1st-level Kensai obtains a +2 weapon which he wants to make his Signature Weapon. Can he not actually do anything with it aside from declare it his Signature Weapon, or could he make it a +3 weapon?

(The book's example for improving a magic weapon doesn't give the level of the Kensai in question, just the XP cost of doing so.)

Q 9
How far can a normal Human see on a clear night when the only illumination is from the moon? Citation please.

[Goaty14]

A 5

While the text seems to imply a HD-based cap (such as the one with animate dead), it does not have a similar clause (a la "X HD per X Y), and thus means that a 10 HD vampire can have no more than 20 enslaved vampires at any time, regardless of each individual HD.

[cartejos]

Q 10 When wielding two weapons and an effect states "When you make a full attack with your (specific weapon)," and both weapons are such specific weapon, does the ability trigger for your off-hand weapon?

[Venger]

A 10 Yes, it does.

[St Fan]

Q 11

The "Mêlée à Trois" question...

PC is flanked in melee by two enemies, both quite intent on killing him. Problem, those two enemies are not friendly to each other; they belong to opposite factions and would just as well fight each other if not for the PC between them...

Do they still both receive the +2 bonus for flanking against the PC in this case?

[Venger]

A11 No, they would not. You need your flanking buddy to be your ally. You cannot flank with an enemy.

[mesc]

Q 12
Can you make an angel undead? For example what happens if you killed an angel with a fell animate spell?

[Venger]

A12 Yes, you can make it undead like any other monster. In that instance, you apply the zombie (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/zombie.htm) template normally.

[mesc]

Q13
If you have a slaymate and cast a necromancy spell enhanced with a metamagic feat that has a cost of +0, does the spell you cast use a spell slot of -1?

[Venger]

A13 Yes, that's what happens.

[mesc]

Q14
How does a transdimensional spell interact with a Mordenkainen's magnificent mansion? For example does a transdimensional fireball harm creatures inside the mansion?

Mordenkainen states: "You conjure up an extradimensional dwelling that has a single entrance on the plane from which the spell was cast......
Since the place can be entered only through its special portal, outside conditions do not affect the mansion, nor do conditions inside it pass to the plane beyond"

Transdimensional states: "A transdimensional spell has its full normal effect on incorporeal creatures, creatures on the Ethereal Plane or the Plane of Shadow, and creatures within an extradimensional space in the spell's area. "

[Venger]

A14 It affects them normally. Yes.

[Kalkra]

Q15
Can your familiar or animal companion acquire a template? I know that there are spells which can give things templates, but I meant in general, can you add any acquired template for which your familiar or animal companion qualifies?

[Venger]

A15 Sure, as long as they qualify for it.

[Khedrac]

A 14 contention - usually No The answer for a transdimentional spell and a Mordenakinen's magnificent mansion is complex. Because the mansion has a single point of entry the chances are that the creatures inside are not within the spell's area of effect. tds is desinged to enable spells to hit creatures that are present in the area, but not on the same plane. Creatures in a Mmm are not present.
What one needs to do is work out what would hapen if the creatures were in a room with a door at the point where the Mmm's entrance is - following the rules for bursts and spreads etc.
Next problem: "the portal is shut and made invisible behind you when you enter" - there's an undefined barrier closing the doorway the spell needs to get through. This means that the spell must be capable of getting through the door before it can affect anyone beyond it. Without knowing if the door has hardness or hp we pretty much have to assume that it cannot be detroyed but can be forced open following the usual rules for opening stuck doors. So if you cast a tds knock it should be able to open the Mmm's door, at which point other tds spells can go in...

A 15 contention For animal companions - ask your DM; for familiars - yes.
For animal companions the rules are usually interpreted to mean that they cannot be anything other than a normal animal and thus adding a template will stop them from being a companon. The rules are ambiguous however, so this interpretation is also widely debated (I think the "no" camp has more acceptance that the "yes" camp - but the fact that there is so much debate shows how ambiguous it is).

[Venger]

A 14 contention - usually No The answer for a transdimentional spell and a Mordenakinen's magnificent mansion is complex. Because the mansion has a single point of entry the chances are that the creatures inside are not within the spell's area of effect. tds is desinged to enable spells to hit creatures that are present in the area, but not on the same plane. Creatures in a Mmm are not present.
What one needs to do is work out what would hapen if the creatures were in a room with a door at the point where the Mmm's entrance is - following the rules for bursts and spreads etc.
Next problem: "the portal is shut and made invisible behind you when you enter" - there's an undefined barrier closing the doorway the spell needs to get through. This means that the spell must be capable of getting through the door before it can affect anyone beyond it. Without knowing if the door has hardness or hp we pretty much have to assume that it cannot be detroyed but can be forced open following the usual rules for opening stuck doors. So if you cast a tds knock it should be able to open the Mmm's door, at which point other tds spells can go in...

A 15 contention For animal companions - ask your DM; for familiars - yes.
For animal companions the rules are usually interpreted to mean that they cannot be anything other than a normal animal and thus adding a template will stop them from being a companon. The rules are ambiguous however, so this interpretation is also widely debated (I think the "no" camp has more acceptance that the "yes" camp - but the fact that there is so much debate shows how ambiguous it is).

A14 No. The same language regarding the entryway is used for rope trick, which transdimensional spells affect normally. Creatures in an MMM are affected normally by a transdimensional fireball as long as they are in the aoe.

A15 No. There is no ambiguity. Familiars are magical beasts, so they may acquire templates that have "magical beast" as a potential base creature.

[Kalkra]

Q16
Can an artificer apply metamagic to an item he creates with UMD? If so, does he need to have that metamagic feat? The SRD for creating magic items says that you can add metamagic to spells, and the artificer class says it can pretend it has spells with a UMD check.


From the SRD:
Using metamagic feats, a caster can place spells in items at a higher level than normal.


From the artificer class description:
An artificer can create a magic item even if he does not have access to the spells that are prerequisites for the item. The artificer must make a successful Use Magic Device check (DC 20 + caster level) to emulate each spell normally required to create the item.

The SRD implies that a spell with metamagic is just treated like a different spell, i.e. magic missile is a 1st-level spell, and maximized magic missile is a different 4th-level spell. From that it seems like an artificer shouldn't even need the metamagic feats in question to emulate a spell modified by them.

However, the artificer isn't casting the spell, and therefore it seems shouldn't be able to apply metamagic feats to it. Furthermore, the artificer class description also says UMD can't be used to emulate feat requirements.


He cannot emulate skill or feat requirements, however, including item creation feat prerequisites.

This sounds like it's talking about item creation feats and the like, but it could be read as also talking about metamagic feats, meaning that to make a wand of maximized magic missiles you would need maximize spell.

If all the above somehow ends up with an artificer being able to emulate metamagic with UMD, what about metamagic reducers? The minimum caster level for a maximized magic missile is normally 7th (I think), but if a spelldancer cast it, the minimum caster level would be first. Spelldancing isn't a feat, it's a class ability, which isn't specifically addressed in the artificer entry.

[Thurbane]

Q 017

Would having Summon Monster as an SLA through the Touch of Summoning or Fiendish Legacy feats meet the "knowledge of at least one summon monster spell" req for Nar Demonbinder?

The "Specific Spell Requirements" section of Complete Arcane p.72 would seem to indicate yes, but the wording in Nar Demonbinder is a little different than the way specific spell reqs usually appear.

[Venger]

A17 Yes.

You've got access to at least one summon monster spell, so you meet that req. The summon monster spell doesn't have to be of lvl 4 or higher.

[RoboEmperor]

Q18

Can you cast Animate Objects multiple times to animate a Colossal Object?

Takes 1 CL for small, 2 CL for medium, 4 CL for large, 8 CL for huge, 16 CL for gargantuan, and 32 CL for colossal.

So can a level 12 cleric cast Animate Objects 3 times on 3 objects and then spend a move action to redirect all of his animate objects effects onto a single colossal object?

[Venger]

A18 No. Spells that allow you to do stuff like this, like warp wood, call that out specifically in the spell text. Animate objects doesn't, so you can't.

[RoboEmperor]

A18 No. Spells that allow you to do stuff like this, like warp wood, call that out specifically in the spell text. Animate objects doesn't, so you can't.

That is a perfect, spectacular example and reasoning. Awesome. Thanks.

[weckar]

Q19 Can templates that don't indicate otherwise reduce ability scores below 1?

[Jowgen]

Q 20

Does an Undead Dread Necromancer of 8th level who applies the Spelltiched template to himself gain the Str/Dex/HP benefits from the Undead Mastery ability?

[St Fan]

Q 21

A good number of spells are cast on areas/locations (like Energy Transformation Field, Forbiddance, Teleportation Circle, etc.) Some of them are permanent, or can be made permanent with Permanency.


What happen if the concerned area/location is mobile? For example, if it is part of a large land vehicle, a sea vessel, or a spelljammer ship? Does the location spell follow along?

[Venger]

A 19 No

A 20 No. Spellstitched is applied to things that're already are undead. Undead mastery only applies to spells that you create yourself

A 21 Unless a spell specifies that it can be cast on a mobile object, such as silence, you cannot do that. If you cast forbiddance on an area on top of a rolling siege tower, it would stay in that objective space as you moved around.

[Troacctid]

Reposting a few (not all) unanswered questions from the last thread:

Q 1
Assuming undead aren't involved, can Bracers of Entangling Might (MIC 80) be used with Chill Touch to deal extra Strength damage?
Bracers of the Entangling Blast deal extra damage of any type dealt by the spell. But ability damage is a damage category, not a damage type.

The three main categories of damage are lethal damage, nonlethal damage, and ability damage. In addition, wherever it is relevant, the type of damage an attack deals is specified, since natural abilities, magic items, or spell effects may grant immunity to certain types of damage. Damage types include weapon damage (subdivided into bludgeoning, slashing, and piercing) and energy damage (positive, negative, acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sonic).
So it only works if you interpret Strength damage to be a type of ability damage, which is debatable. Expect table variation.


Q3
What if any rules exist for when flight has no listed maneuverability?
Just the standard rules that allow for the DM to adjudicate ambiguity in the rules. There's no default maneuverability.


Q4
If you have both the Knock-Down and Vae School feats, do you get two attempts to trip an enemy if they're flat-footed when you deal at least ten damage to them with a whip or spiked chain?
Yes.


Q 6
Are there any magic items that truly provide infinite rope?

A Spool of "Endless" Rope can only provide 500' of rope at a time, which disappears if it's separated from the spool.
Not as their primary function.


Q 7
An Incarnate/Wizard with Lightning Gauntlets (Magic of Incarnum, pg 76) bound casts Whirling Blade (Spell Compendium, pg 238). Does the electricity damage apply to all attacks, or only the first?
Just one attack, but it doesn't have to be the first.


Q 8
Is a Kensai's (Complete Warrior, pg 49) Signature Weapon limited by his level in total power, or just added power?

For example, let's say a 1st-level Kensai obtains a +2 weapon which he wants to make his Signature Weapon. Can he not actually do anything with it aside from declare it his Signature Weapon, or could he make it a +3 weapon?

(The book's example for improving a magic weapon doesn't give the level of the Kensai in question, just the XP cost of doing so.)
It limits the amount of enhancement the Kensai can "place into" the weapon. Any ambiguity in that statement is subject to the interpretation of the DM.


Q 9
How far can a normal Human see on a clear night when the only illumination is from the moon? Citation please.
This section gives maximum distances for spotting creatures in various types of terrain: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/wilderness.htm

Barring any impediments, there's no limit to how far you can see. (For example, you can look into the night sky and see stars even if they are billions of miles away.) But you do take a penalty to Spot checks based on distance, which affects how WELL you can see, and without low-light vision, you'll suffer the normal penalties for concealment.

[Deeds]

Q 22: My Fighter/Crusader is level 6 and it has a initiator level of 5 (2 levels fighter, 4 levels crusader.) If I take the Martial Study feat, can I pick a 3rd level maneuver from a different school such as Iron Heart Surge?

[Venger]

A 22 Yes, that's how that works.

[Goaty14]

A 22 Yes, that's how that works.

Do mind that many 3rd level maneuvers (including IHS) require you have so many maneuvers from the same school known before you are actually eligible to take that maneuver. Thus, in the aforementioned situation (Ftr 2/Crusader 4), you'd have to take martial study twice to learn IHS. Additionally, you may only select Martial Study a maximum of three times.

[RoboEmperor]

Q 23

Can you cast Permanency on Su abilities? Like a Ravid's Animate Objects Su ability.

[Venger]

A 23 No, you cannot.

[cartejos]

Q 24How many medium sized creatures could fit onto a colossal mount?
q 25Does Inspire Greatness grant a feat for the duration of its effect as if put to, say, 15 hd?

[Thurbane]

A 024

I'm not sure this is entirely defined within RAW, but I would assume the primary factor would be it's carrying capacity compared to the combined weight of it's passengers.

I would also add (not as RAW, purely a recommendation) that that since a colossal creature occupies 36 squares, and medium creatures occupies 1 square, then that may be a limiting factor as well.

[Goaty14]

A 025

A bard using Inspire Greatness (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/bard.htm#inspireGreatness) on a 13th level character would grant the PC 2 bonus HD, which includes a feat. However, a bar using Inspire Greatness on a 12th level character will *not* grant the PC a feat.

[St Fan]

A 25 contention

Inspire Greatness doesn't grant anything beyond what is given in the ability's description. 2 bonus hit dices don't equate to 2 character levels, so it doesn't grant any extra feat or class feature, whatever the level of the subject.

It can at best modify some quality that is entirely dependent on hit dices, like the effective caster level of a character with the practiced spellcaster feat, but that's all.

[jdizzlean]

Q 26

when a human becomes dragonborn, they lose their bonus skill point at each level, do they also lose the 4 bonus skill points at 1st level?

[Venger]

A 26 Yes, they do.

[jdizzlean]

Q 27

if you're using Able Learner, and you have cc skills at 2nd level that can't be 3 ranks (because half of 5 ranks is 2.5), does that mean you just can't spend points on them, or do you just "ignore" the half rank over, or ignore the "extra" half rank gained?

Q 28

if you gain a feat at say 3rd level that affects skills becoming class skills at that point, does that retroactively take effect in the build order at 3rd, or due to strict RAW of character creation rules in PHB, do you have to spend skill points before the feat takes effect changing them from cc to class?

[St Fan]

A 27

If a cross-class skill is already maxed-out at 2, you can't add a full skill point to it even with Able Learner until the max skill ranks reach 3, that is by level 3.

Note that if you're not happy about the way this force you to distribute skill ranks, there are always the retraining rules from Player Handbook II, that allow a bit of re-shuffling afterward.

A 28
The Player Handbook give the order in which the statitics are changed with a new level as follow: Class / BAB / Saves / Ability score increase / Hit Points / Skill Points / Feats / Spells / Class Features.

So yes, by strict raw a feat that would modify which skills are class skills would take effect after the skill points for this level are distributed.

Note, though, this order is something a lots of DM give some leeway with. Theoretically, it's supposed to the most advantageous possible for players (notably, it adds about everything that can count as a feat prerequisite before the acquisition of feats).

[Troacctid]

Q 27

if you're using Able Learner, and you have cc skills at 2nd level that can't be 3 ranks (because half of 5 ranks is 2.5), does that mean you just can't spend points on them, or do you just "ignore" the half rank over, or ignore the "extra" half rank gained?
You might be able to spend half a point at the DM's discretion, but I'm not sure why you would want to.


Q 28

if you gain a feat at say 3rd level that affects skills becoming class skills at that point, does that retroactively take effect in the build order at 3rd, or due to strict RAW of character creation rules in PHB, do you have to spend skill points before the feat takes effect changing them from cc to class?
Skill rank assignments and feats can be chosen at the same time, as per PHB 87. The "strict RAW of character creation rules" you're referring to isn't actually that strict; it doesn't prescribe any particular order that the steps must happen in AFAICT.

[Thurbane]

Not sure if these go beyond the scope of simple RAW, but I'll try anyway:

Q 029

A Karsite character(LA +2) dies, and has a Reincarnation spell cast on him. He comes back as a Human (LA +0). What happens to the +2 LA? Does it disappear, as if "bought off"?

[Goaty14]

Q 029

A Karsite character(LA +2) dies, and has a Reincarnation spell cast on him. He comes back as a Human (LA +0). What happens to the +2 LA? Does it disappear, as if "bought off"?

A 029

Yes, you lose the +2 LA. Reincarnation in particular is tricky because the DM can liberally change the table at will, as the text suggests he/she do for odd humanoids.

[jdizzlean]

Q 30

can you reassign the bonus feat your familiar has as a base animal?

[Troacctid]

Q 30

can you reassign the bonus feat your familiar has as a base animal?
Barring effects like psychic reformation or embrace the dark chaos, only the DM can reassign an NPC's feats.

[Venger]

Q 30: clarification

Are you asking if you're allowed to choose them yourself when the familiar is created, or if you can alter them later on through gameplay once it's already been statted?

[Kalkra]

Q 31
If you have Scramble True Position as a spell-like ability, how do you treat the (presumably dropped) Truespeak roll?

[jdizzlean]

Q 30: clarification

Are you asking if you're allowed to choose them yourself when the familiar is created, or if you can alter them later on through gameplay once it's already been statted?

at creation

[Troacctid]

Q 31
If you have Scramble True Position as a spell-like ability, how do you treat the (presumably dropped) Truespeak roll?
You still have to make the Truespeak check, as it is part of the spell's effect in addition to being a component. If you were to cast it without speaking the correct truename, nothing would happen, as you would not meet or exceed the DC for any of the creatures in the area.

[Uncle Pine]

Q32 Is there any way for a psionic character to increase the manifesting time of his powers from standard action to full-round action (similar to the way sorcerers do by applying a metamagic feat to a spell)?

[Thurbane]

Q 033

Is there any template, class, feat or item that can add an alignment subtype to a large Monstrous Humanoid, such as a Yak Folk?

(Specifically NOT any rituals from Savage Species please).

[Troacctid]

Q32 Is there any way for a psionic character to increase the manifesting time of his powers from standard action to full-round action (similar to the way sorcerers do by applying a metamagic feat to a spell)?
No.


Q 033

Is there any template, class, feat or item that can add an alignment subtype to a large Monstrous Humanoid, such as a Yak Folk?

(Specifically NOT any rituals from Savage Species please).
Yes.

[Goaty14]

Q 034

Is there a difference between DR 5/+1 and DR 5/Magic? If so, what?

[Thurbane]

Yes.
A 033

Thank you for that most literal, yet unhelpful, answer.

Might I trouble you for specifics?

[Troacctid]

Q 034

Is there a difference between DR 5/+1 and DR 5/Magic? If so, what?
DR/+1 is an obsolete form of DR from 3.0, before the 3.5 update. It translates to DR/magic in 3.5. However, most DR values were lowered in the update in addition to being retemplated, so DR 5/+1 might actually end up being DR 3/magic, for example. Check your friendly update booklet to confirm.


A 033

Thank you for that most literal, yet unhelpful, answer.

Might I trouble you for specifics?
A complete list would be outside the scope of this thread, but here (http://minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=12219.0) is a useful reference for templates.

Some prestige classes, such as Winterhaunt of Iborighu, can also do it.

[St Fan]

Q 35

Is there any known way to modify a spell that target a specific creature type, like humanoids, for it to affect a different creature type, such as giants or feys?

[Venger]

A 35 There are certain exceptions, such as modifying a spell through song of the dead, but a generalized method to zap a nonhumanoid with charm person (for example) does not exist. What, specifically are you trying to do?

[Kalkra]

Q 36
If you put a creature that doesn't need to breathe into a bag of holding or something similar, and then you wild shape, what happens to the creature?

[Venger]

A 36 Nothing. Assuming you gave him an everburning torch and some magazines, he just hangs out in there, or if he's mindless, just waits until you turn your baseball cap around and deploy him in combat. I enjoy storing my undead in bags of holding or similar.

Unlike putting a bag of holding in a portable hole or handy haversack, the bag melding with your form when you wild shape (which is what I assume you're asking) does not count as being hidden in an extradimensional storage space. Also, since a bag of holding is not worn gear, but held, your gm will probably let you keep it in your paw or mouth when you wild shape.

[RoboEmperor]

A 36

Animals need to breathe so he will suffocate in 10minutes.

[Venger]

A 36

Animals need to breathe so he will suffocate in 10minutes.


Q 36If you put a creature that doesn't need to breath into a bag of holding or something similar, and then you wild shape, what happens to the creature?

He specified the creature does not need to breathe.

[RoboEmperor]

He specified the creature does not need to breathe.

My bad. I thought wild shape would make you dependent on air but because it doesn't change your type I guess it doesn't.

[Venger]

My bad. I thought wild shape would make you dependent on air but because it doesn't change your type I guess it doesn't.

No, so in this scenario, the pc is a druid. He puts a zombie into the bag of holding, where it just chills. Then the pc uses wild shape. It has no effect on the zombie.

Also, wild shape does not change your type. It's based on alternate form in 3.5, not polymorph self, like was in 3.0.

[Kalkra]

Q 37
Can a Kaorti use liquid pain to pay for the XP cost of crafting things with resin?

[Venger]

A 37 Only if the item it's being made into is magical.

[St Fan]

A 35 There are certain exceptions, such as modifying a spell through song of the dead, but a generalized method to zap a nonhumanoid with charm person (for example) does not exist. What, specifically are you trying to do?

I was mostly interested in ways to expand Enlarge Person / Reduce Person to other creature type. Size-changing magic is surprisingly rare -- you have to move straight to shapechanging to get something equivalent.

I was hoping for something like a metamagic feat. I guess the only known way is for spellcasters to research new spells with a broader effect.

[Troacctid]

I was mostly interested in ways to expand Enlarge Person / Reduce Person to other creature type. Size-changing magic is surprisingly rare -- you have to move straight to shapechanging to get something equivalent.

I was hoping for something like a metamagic feat. I guess the only known way is for spellcasters to research new spells with a broader effect.
The psionic equivalents are not limited by creature type. They can be placed in tattoos to affect other people.

[Goaty14]

Q 38

Does bonus damage dealt via Sneak Attack/Maneuvers/Skirmish, etc become nonlethal if a merciful weapon did it?

[Venger]

A 38 Yes, yes it does.

[JMS]

Q 39
When multiplying, do we consider the distributive property? For example, say a character with Battle Jump and Leap Attack (two handed), both triggering, makes a charge, and power attacks for one. this would be 2x(damage+4x(1)), but do we then add the total, for 2x(damage+4) or do we deal 2xDamage+5x1?

[zergling.exe]

Q 39
When multiplying, do we consider the distributive property? For example, say a character with Battle Jump and Leap Attack (two handed), both triggering, makes a charge, and power attacks for one. this would be 2x(damage+4x(1)), but do we then add the total, for 2x(damage+4) or do we deal 2xDamage+5x1?

A 039
D&D multiplying uses its own rules: Multiplying Damage (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatStatistics.htm#multiplyingDamage)

Multiplying Damage: Sometimes you multiply damage by some
factor, such as on a critical hit. Roll the damage (with all modifiers)
multiple times and total the results. Note: When you multiply
damage more than once, each multiplier works off the original,
unmultiplied damage (see Multiplying, page 304).

Exception: Extra damage dice over and above a weapon’s normal
damage, such as that dealt by a sneak attack or the special ability of a
flaming sword, are never multiplied.

For example, Krusk the half-orc barbarian has a Strength bonus of
+3. That means he gets a +3 bonus on damage rolls when using a
longsword, a +4 bonus on damage when using a greataxe (two-
handed), and a +1 bonus to damage when using a weapon in his off
hand. His critical multiplier with a greataxe is ×3, so if he scores a
critical hit with that weapon, he would roll 1d12+4 points of damage
three times (the same as rolling 3d12+12).

[AnimeTheCat]

Q40. Does a rogue with the alternate class feature that trades sneak attack for bonus feats (as a fighter) qualify for fighter only feats such as weapon specialization?

[Debatra]

A 40

No. They still aren't a Fighter.

[Thurbane]

A 040 additional info

Warblade, Bloodstorm Blade and Justice of Weald and Woe all gain "virtual fighter levels" to qualify for these type of feats.

In addition, some classes get Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat without needing to meet the prereqs, such as Favored Soul 12.

...not exactly what was asked, but handy to know, nonetheless.

[Uncle Pine]

Q41 Can you counterspell using a wand? Would things change if an eternal wand was used instead? For the purpose of this question, consider the character attempting to counterspell is holding a wand (or eternal wand) of Dispel Magic.

[Wacky89]

Q42
Is a Gargoyle immune to Stinking Cloud?
A gargoyle doesnt need to breathe, but it's still living?

[Skevvix]

Q43 when scribing a scroll, can you have another caster supply the spell? Can you supply the spell from a wand?

[Uncle Pine]

Q42
Is a Gargoyle immune to Stinking Cloud?
A gargoyle doesnt need to breathe, but it's still living?

A42 Gargoyles are not immune to stinking cloud. As monstrous humanoids, gargoyles are living creatures (albeit ones that do not need to eat, drink or breathe). As living creatures they're subjected to the nauseating effect of a stinking cloud. If you need an in-universe reason for this to happen other than RAW, you can describe the cloud as being irritating regardless of whether you breathe, touch, or otherwise come in contact with it.

[inexorabletruth]

Q43 when scribing a scroll, can you have another caster supply the spell? Can you supply the spell from a wand?

A43: It doesn't cost a spell, so no one has to supply a spell. It just has to be a spell that the scriber knows.

Here's the link explaining it better. (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Scribe_Scroll)

If the spell is in your spell knowledge bank, you can scribe it.

Q44: Does alcohol count as Poison? Especially in regards to races with immunity or resistance to poison?

[Venger]

A 41 Yes.

A 44 Yes.

[zergling.exe]

A43: It doesn't cost a spell, so no one has to supply a spell. It just has to be a spell that the scriber knows.

Here's the link explaining it better. (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Scribe_Scroll)
Here's a better link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/creatingMagicItems.htm), general, but is the magic item creation rules which are referenced by scribe scroll.

[St Fan]

Q 45

A: What happen when a spell that is normally dismissible by the caster is coupled with permanency?

I would guess it's no longer dismissible, but is it stated somewhere?

B: What happen when the beneficiary of a spell coupled with permanency is hit by a spell with opposite effects, where's it's usually described that it "counters and dispels" the other spell? (For examples, enlarge person vs. reduce person or vice-versa.)

Is the permanency-fied spell countered for the duration of the other spell? or fully dispelled?

[Troacctid]

Q 45

A: What happen when a spell that is normally dismissible by the caster is coupled with permanency?

I would guess it's no longer dismissible, but is it stated somewhere?
It's not stated anywhere. Expect table variation.


B: What happen when the beneficiary of a spell coupled with permanency is hit by a spell with opposite effects, where's it's usually described that it "counters and dispels" the other spell? (For examples, enlarge person vs. reduce person or vice-versa.)

Is the permanency-fied spell countered for the duration of the other spell? or fully dispelled?
Permanent spells have no special exemption from being dispelled outside of the one provided in the text of the spell. If you cast the Permanency on yourself, it can only be dispelled by a caster who is higher level than you were when you cast Permanency. Otherwise, it can be dispelled as normal.

[unseenmage]

Q46
Would Cure Disease or Regeneration eliminate excess growths? Regenerate clearly regrows missing bits but would it cure the pot belly of an ex-obese person or scars?

[heavyfuel]

Q46
Would Cure Disease or Regeneration eliminate excess growths? Regenerate clearly regrows missing bits but would it cure the pot belly of an ex-obese person or scars?

A 46

Regenerate, no.

Remove Disease, maybe. "Obesity" isn't an in-game disease, as such, it's up to DMs to include it in the roster of things curable by Remove Disease, and how exactly the spell works with this new disease.


Q 47

Is there any Illithid/Mind-flayer race other than the one described in the Monster Manual? Specifically, a race related to Psionics?

A 47

Answering my own question, the XPH has a Psionic variant for the Mind Flayer, which manifests as a 9th level Psion.

[Arkhios]

Q 48

Persistent Spell [Metamagic] feat says "The persistent spell must have a personal range or a fixed range."

Does 'Range: Touch' count as 'a fixed range'?

[Venger]

A 48 Yes, it does.

[heavyfuel]

A 48 - Contention

This has been discussed ad nauseam. Some people argue "touch" isn't a fixed range because a creature's reach is variable. Others argue this has no effect. There have been 1000 posts about this, and the only consensus is to ask your DM. The RAW Q&A thread, however, is not the place for this discussion if you want to have it for the 1001st time.

[Venger]

A 48 - Contention

This has been discussed ad nauseam. Some people argue "touch" isn't a fixed range because a creature's reach is variable. Others argue this has no effect. There have been 1000 posts about this, and the only consensus is to ask your DM. The RAW Q&A thread, however, is not the place for this discussion if you want to have it for the 1001st time.

A 48 I agree this is beyond the scope of the simple raw thread if you're going to bring that into it. You or Arkhios are welcome to make your own separate thread to argue about it.

[Arkhios]

A 48 I agree this is beyond the scope of the simple raw thread if you're going to bring that into it. You or Arkhios are welcome to make your own separate thread to argue about it.

FWIW, I have no interest in starting a thread over a quibble. That, and I just found out that there's been an errata (of sorts) which says that 'range: touch' simply doesn't count as a fixed range for the purpose of that feat (if at all).

Q 49

One of Hierophant's (Prestige Class in DMG) Special Abilities is Spell Power. How does this work if you were Mystic Theurge before you entered Hierophant? Does one instance of Spell Power apply to both (or all) caster levels you have, or do you have to choose which one to apply the increase to when you choose the Special Ability?

[Venger]

I didn't know there was errata. Was it in CArc's?

A 49 it works on all caster levels you may have.

[Arkhios]

I didn't know there was errata. Was it in CArc's?

Apparently in Player's Guide to Faerûn. While it's not the original source, at least it's from the same edition (3.5). As far as I know, the most recent instance is always the more valid one, so in that regard, that counts as an "errata" (of sorts).

[St Fan]

Q 50

Sanctified spells with a sacrifice cost and Corrupt spells with a corruption cost have said costs occur "when the spell duration expires".

What happens, however, if the spell is cast but fail to take effect (because of a non-viable target, spell resistance or a successful saving throw)? The spell can't have its duration expires if it doesn't take effect in the first place. Is the sacrifice/corruption cost waved?

[Venger]

A 50 Yes, if the spell never expires, you'll never have to pay the piper and the damage is waived. No word on what happens with instantaneous/permanent spells, unfortunately

Q 51 Beyond the normal -1 from being masterwork, do you deduct the total naked magical + from an armor's acp?
(e.g., a +2 soulfire suit of armor, do you deduct 1, 2, or 3 from its acp?)

[KillianHawkeye]

A 51

The magical enhancement bonus on a piece of armor has no effect whatsoever on the armor's Armor Check Penalty. You only get the reduction for being masterwork.

[Kalkra]

Q 52
Can you make a wand (or other magical item) that casts an epic spell? To clarify, I know that with epic item creation feats you can get spells above 9th level, but that's normal spells with metamagic, not epic spells. If you can, can an Artificer emulate an epic spell with UMD? If so, do you still need to research it?

[Arkhios]

Q 53a
Is the spell of a spell-like ability arcane or divine spell? I seem to recall that at least in pathfinder there was a priority in which order you determine the nature of a spell when it's a spell-like ability. For example, if the spell is only on the list of a divine spellcaster, it's a divine spell. Likewise, if it's only on the list of an arcane spellcaster, it's an arcane spell. And (iirc) if it's on multiple classes' lists, the order of priority started from Wizard (making the spell-like ability's spell an arcane spell). Is there such an order of priority in 3.5.

Q 53b
If you have a spell as a spell-like ability, does that spell count as meeting the prerequisite for feats, prestige classes, etc? For example, Arcane Trickster requires that the character is able to cast at least one 3rd-level arcane spell, and the character has a 3rd-level spell as a spell-like ability, could he, by RAW, enter Arcane Trickster if the other prerequisites are also met?

[Troacctid]

Q 53a
Is the spell of a spell-like ability arcane or divine spell? I seem to recall that at least in pathfinder there was a priority in which order you determine the nature of a spell when it's a spell-like ability. For example, if the spell is only on the list of a divine spellcaster, it's a divine spell. Likewise, if it's only on the list of an arcane spellcaster, it's an arcane spell. What if it's on both, such as Daylight?
Spell-like abilities are not spells, so they can't be arcane spells or divine spells. Complete Mage indicates that they are in their own class of innate magic. Invocations are an exception in this matter; they are the only spell-like abilities that are explicitly called out as being arcane.

This is more circumstantial than ironclad. There's some weak textual evidence pointing the other way, which leaves a little room for DM discretion. I'll edit in a bit with some relevant quotes and page numbers.

EDIT:

Complete Mage, p7:

Some creatures are born with the capacity to work genuine magic, just like some creatures have the power of flight or the ability to breathe water. Such creatures have no explainable awareness of how they actually manage their magical talents. They have no special ability to sense magic, and they don't do anything special to work their magic beyond willing their magical tricks to happen. Such creatures seem to function as self-filling vessels for magical power. They naturally collect magical potential and release it with a thought.

This magical potential doesn't seem to have any clear link either to arcane magic or to divine magic, though it creates results similar or identical to those arising from spells. A glabrezu's dispel magic ability functions like the same spell cast by a wizard or cleric (hence the term “spell-like”).

A few magical theorists even claim that the “spells” of a sorcerer or a dragon have more in common with the spell-like abilities of warlocks and various other creatures than with the spells of a wizard. These individuals suggest that an entire third category of magic (called, for lack of a better term, “innate” magic) would better describe those who wield magic without relying on either traditional learning or a divine source. So far, this theory has gained little traction among traditional sages.
Because this section is couched in terms of in-universe research and theory, it doesn't have the same weight as if it stated it outright; there's room for these theorists to be wrong if the DM interprets the world that way.

Player's Handbook, p180:

A dryad’s charm person effect and the greater teleport ability of many devils are spell-like abilities. Usually, a spell-like ability works just like the spell of that name. A few spell-like abilities are unique; these are explained in the text where they are described.

A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, or material component, nor does it require a focus or have an XP cost. The user activates it mentally. Armor never affects a spell-like ability’s use, even if the ability resembles an arcane spell with a somatic component. A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell.

Spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance and to being dispelled by dispel magic. They do not function in areas where magic is suppressed or negated, such as an antimagic field. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
"In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell" can be interpreted broadly without leaving the bounds of RAW, but the broad interpretation has less textual support than the narrower one, as other descriptions of spell-like abilities in the Monster Manual and Dungeon Master's Guide do not include any language to that effect.


Q 53b
If you have a spell as a spell-like ability, does that spell count as meeting the prerequisite for feats, prestige classes, etc? For example, Arcane Trickster requires that the character is able to cast at least one 3rd-level arcane spell, and the character has a 3rd-level spell as a spell-like ability, could he, by RAW, enter Arcane Trickster if the other prerequisites are also met?
The rules for this are in Complete Arcane. Spell-like abilities can fulfill caster level requirements, like Acolyte of the Skin, or specific spell requirements, like Mindbender. But not spell level requirements like your example.

[lylsyly]

Q54 According to RAW, can or cannot the Feat Extra Spell grab spells form another list?

[Venger]

A 54 Yes, you can. Feats which restrict you to selecting from a certain list, such as Arcane Schooling, specify it in the rules text.

[Luckmann]

Q55: Is it possible to suppress or disable class abilities or features? For example, if I don't want the Morninglord's "Lathander's Light" (doubling the are of spells with the [Light] descriptor) to apply.

[Thurbane]

A 054 continued

FWIW, the Official FAQ specifically disallows you from using the feat that way:


Can the warmage (CAr) benefit from the Extra Spellfeat?
No. Extra Spell lets you add one spell to your list of spells known, but the spell must be taken from your class spell list. Since the warmage already knows all the spells on his class spell list, this feat has no effect.


Can you take spells from spell lists other than your own with the Extra Spell feat (CAr 79)?
The Extra Spell feat allows you to choose a new spell, but it does not remove the restrictions of how you would normally pick your spells—so they must be picked from your own spell list.


Leaving aside the fact that many don't consider the Official FAQ a RAW source, there's also another issue: what level is the spell is it for you if it's not on your class list? Holy Sword is a 4th level Paladin spell. What level spell is it for a Sorcerer?

If you take FAQ as RAW, then the answer to the question is a definitive no.

If not, I would call it an "Ask your DM" answer.

[Venger]

faq ≠ raw. there's no consideration involved.

A 55 No.

[flappeercraft]

A 55 continued
There are some variant curses on Dragon Magazine #348 that allow you to do it and similar including feats, spellcasting and some class features. Also you could remove Lathander's light via the spell Expunge the Supernatural from ToM although at a 500xp cost.

Q 56
Can improvised weapons be enchanted as normal weapons are by a Fiend of Possession?

[Venger]

A 56 Yes, you can.

[Troacctid]

faq ≠ raw. there's no consideration involved.
In this case the FAQ also cites the RAW in its answer. Extra Spell doesn't include any exception to the normal parameters for choosing spells—and those parameters typically specify a list that your spells are chosen from.

[Arkhios]

Tried to search for an answer, but couldn't find anything related to 3.5 (probably because the official forums have been shut down):
Q 57a

Does casting and/or issuing attacks with Spiritual Weapon break Sanctuary?

Q 57b

How about Summon Monster/Nature's Ally I through IX and similar spells?

Technically, in both cases, the attacks happen separate from your own actions, but I wanted to be sure.

[Venger]

A 57a Yes

A 57b No

[Sir_Chivalry]

Q58 Let's say I have more gold than sense and I want the world's most expensive armour (nevermind this won't be very effective)

Are things like Ysgardian Heartwire (noted as being used to reinforce armour and threaded through it) and Susalian Chainweave (Complete Warrior, elven knot-chainmail technique and highly expensive for little effect) considered armour materials (and therefore are mutuallly exclusive and bar the use of other materials like mithral or the like) or can they be combined?

Once again, I understand it's not a very effective suit of armour

[Goaty14]

Q 059

How much material or size of creature can a sack hold? Backpack?

[Thurbane]

A 059

Undefined. Ask the DM.

You could perform some extrapolations from the size of the creature wearing the backpack or carrying the sack and real-world examples, but in general, there are no hard and fast limits I am aware of.

There is the following footnote on the Goods and Services section:


These items weigh one-quarter this amount when made for Small characters. Containers for Small characters also carry one-quarter the normal amount.

...however, the carrying amount of a "default" medium sized creature's container is never defined to begin with.

[St Fan]

Q 60

The Quick character trait (from Unearthed Arcana) gives as benefit: "Your base land speed increases by 10 feet."

The Celerity Domain granted power (from Spell Compendium) is as follow: "Your land speed is faster than the norm for your race by 10 feet. This benefit is lost if you are wearing medium or heavy armor or carrying a medium or heavy load."

Considering the wording, would those two speed bonuses stack, or would they be exclusive?

[Warchon]

Q61 When multiplying a rounded number, do you still round down? Example: A critical hit with a natural weapon that adds 1.5STR to the damage if Str mod is +3, 2dX+8 (4.5 rounded down is 4, times two is 8) or 2DX+9 (4.5 times two is 9). Or a class feature that adds half of a stat bonus to something per level.

[Venger]

A 60 Yes. They stack.

[St Fan]

Q58 Let's say I have more gold than sense and I want the world's most expensive armour (nevermind this won't be very effective)

Are things like Ysgardian Heartwire (noted as being used to reinforce armour and threaded through it) and Susalian Chainweave (Complete Warrior, elven knot-chainmail technique and highly expensive for little effect) considered armour materials (and therefore are mutuallly exclusive and bar the use of other materials like mithral or the like) or can they be combined?

Once again, I understand it's not a very effective suit of armour

From their descriptions, Ysgardian Heartwire is only added in small sections of the armor, and "is so fine and light that it does not increase the armor's weight," and Susalian Chainweave is more of a forging/knitting technique than a material per se.

In both case, this strongly implies they can be added to other materials, whether it be steel, mithral or adamantine. Sure would be expensive, but doable if you can find an armorsmith skilled enough.

[Skevvix]

Q62 Can a non-spellcaster take ranks in Craft(Alchemy)? I know they can't make the items, but nothing I saw stated you had to be a caster to take ranks.

[Venger]

A 62 Yes, they can take ranks if they want to.

[St Fan]

Q62 Can a non-spellcaster take ranks in Craft(Alchemy)? I know they can't make the items, but nothing I saw stated you had to be a caster to take ranks.


A 62 Yes, they can take ranks if they want to.

Note that Craft (alchemy) can be used to identify some alchemy products. So a non-spellcaster can't craft, but can still sometimes use the skill.

[St Fan]

Q 63

I've just realized that I may have had a misconception about the Domain feats:


If you have the ability to turn or rebuke undead, you can gain additional daily uses
of a domain feat’s benefit by permanently sacrificing daily uses of that ability.

Emphasis mine. I've always assumed the additional daily uses of the feat with turn/rebuke undead were converted on-the-fly, as with Divine feats. However, this line implies this is instead a definitive process chosen along the feat.

For example, if a cleric picks the Travel Devotion, he can gain one additional daily use for two turn/rebuke undead daily uses -- by permanently reducing his daily uses of turn/rebuke undead, from the even amount of his choice.

Am I reading it right?

[Troacctid]

Q 63

I've just realized that I may have had a misconception about the Domain feats:



Emphasis mine. I've always assumed the additional daily uses of the feat with turn/rebuke undead were converted on-the-fly, as with Divine feats. However, this line implies this is instead a definitive process chosen along the feat.

For example, if a cleric picks the Travel Devotion, he can gain one additional daily use for two turn/rebuke undead daily uses -- by permanently reducing his daily uses of turn/rebuke undead, from the even amount of his choice.

Am I reading it right?

From the errata:

https://i.imgur.com/b3Nw7GV.png

[St Fan]

From the errata:

https://i.imgur.com/b3Nw7GV.png

Very interesting.

That makes more sense; even without seeing the errata, I seriously doubt anybody ever played with my interpretation.

[flappeercraft]

Q 64
Is there any way to flank on your own other than the Clarion Commander feat?

[Troacctid]

Q 64
Is there any way to flank on your own other than the Clarion Commander feat?
Sure. You could be a Dvati, for example.

[Thurbane]

A 064 additional

Here's some extra reading: [3.5] Flanking with myself (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?129769)

[King of Nowhere]

Q065: I need to turn an npc warrior ethereal. The only ways I can find of doing it would be a 17th level cleric or wizard casting etherealness, or a 55000 gp cloak. Can you provide any cheaper, easier alternatives? thanks

[Troacctid]

Q065: I need to turn an npc warrior ethereal. The only ways I can find of doing it would be a 17th level cleric or wizard casting etherealness, or a 55000 gp cloak. Can you provide any cheaper, easier alternatives? thanks
If the warrior is of an appropriate alignment, tabard of the disembodied (MIC 140) is only 6,000 gp. If the warrior is at least 12th level, then Shape Soulmeld (Phase Cloak) plus Open Lesser Chakra (Shoulders) could do the trick.

[Bad Wolf]

Q66

Do wizards receive a bonus cantrip slot for specializing?

[Debatra]

A 66

Yes.

[flappeercraft]

Q 67
Dvati need to either have both of the pair take the action to cast or just have one take the action and have the other take no actions or the spell is ruined. In the case of a pair of Dvati with both spellcaster levels and Fiend of Possession, should one of them possess an object and animate it, would any action taken by the possessed object interrupt the spellcasting of the other twin? So far I'm seeing two arguments.

a) Yes because the Dvati is possessing the object and therefore any action taken by the object is the Dvati's

b) No because the action is to animate the object and the actions of an animated object are separate from a Fiend of Possession

Q 68
Can a Fiend of Possession both Animate an object and make it a Magic item simultaneously?

[Venger]

A 68 Yes, you can.

[St Fan]

Q 69

I’ve realized the rules for mithral armor...



Most mithral armors are one category lighter than normal for purposes of movement and other limitations (for example, whether a barbarian can use her fast movement ability while wearing the armor or not). Heavy armors are treated as medium, and medium armors are treated as light, but light armors are still treated as light.




Treated as [medium/light] armor for the purpose of movement, proficiency, and other limitations.


... means a mithral full plate is treated as a medium armor in some circumstances, but as a heavy armor in others. I’m looking for a bit of clarification about those.

A: A mithral full plate requires just Armor Proficiency (medium), not Armor Proficiency (heavy) to be used without further malus, right?

B: Some non-magical modifications to armor during making have a price varying depending on the armor type – notably several [1] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Caster_Armor*) [2] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Lightweight*) [3] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Reinforced*) [4] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Segmented*) [5] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Vital_Coverage*) from Dragon #358, or the Susalian Chainweave from Complete Warrior. Since this about construction and not movement limitation, my guess is that a mithral full plate would still count as heavy armor for those prices, right?

C: Some feats apply their benefits "when you’re wearing heavy armor". Would the feats Heavy Armor Optimization, Greater Heavy Armor Optimization or Deflective Armor be usable with a mithral full plate?

D: Some other feats apply their benefits "when you’re wearing light or medium armor". Would a feat such as Guerilla Warrior be usable with a mithral full plate?

[Wacky89]

Q70
Do you keep your natural armor when you become a dragonborn?

[heavyfuel]

Q 69

A: A mithral full plate requires just Armor Proficiency (medium), not Armor Proficiency (heavy) to be used without further malus, right?

B: Some non-magical modifications to armor during making have a price varying depending on the armor type – notably several [1] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Caster_Armor*) [2] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Lightweight*) [3] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Reinforced*) [4] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Segmented*) [5] (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Vital_Coverage*) from Dragon #358, or the Susalian Chainweave from Complete Warrior. Since this about construction and not movement limitation, my guess is that a mithral full plate would still count as heavy armor for those prices, right?

C: Some feats apply their benefits "when you’re wearing heavy armor". Would the feats Heavy Armor Optimization, Greater Heavy Armor Optimization or Deflective Armor be usable with a mithral full plate?

D: Some other feats apply their benefits "when you’re wearing light or medium armor". Would a feat such as Guerilla Warrior be usable with a mithral full plate?

A 69 A Yes.

A 69 B Ask your DM. Having to pay extra gold might be considered a limitation.

A 69 C They would.

A 69 D They would.

[Troacctid]

Q70
Do you keep your natural armor when you become a dragonborn?
Not if it was granted by your race.

[St Fan]

Q 71

The Midnight Dodge feat from Magic of Incarnum includes the mention "Midnight Dodge can be used in place of the Dodge feat to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability."

This is usually an incentive to not take Dodge. However, I’ve realized that nothing prevent you from actually having both feats. In which case...

A: Both feats can be used in the same round to designate two different targets, gaining their respective dodge bonuses for each, or upon the same target (since Dodge bonuses stack), right? (This is actually how the Dodge Bonus class feature for the Swashbuckler already works along with the Dodge feat.)

B: If you have the Combat Defense feat (Players Handbook II) and maintain your combat focus, you can reassignate the target of the Dodge feat with an immediate action. Since both Midnight Dodge and Dodge can serve as prerequisite, you can reassignate the target of either feat, right? (Not both, of course, you only have one immediate action per round.)

C: On the other hand, if you have Combat Defense and at least three combat form feats, my guess is that the +1 dodge bonus can only apply to one of the two Dodge feats, not to both (especially since they can stack on the same target). Am I right in thinking that?

D: If you also have the Defensive Throw feat (Complete Warrior) and designate two separate targets with the two dodge feats, then I guess you trip either one that miss you this round. Now, could you trip both if both miss their attacks? (Considering Defensive Throw doesn’t include any limitation of uses per round, beyond the fact it uses up your attack of opportunities – and Combat Reflexes is a prerequisite.)

E: Finally... if you have both Dodge feats, Combat Defense, and Defensive Throw, and you are facing three opponents, can you first trip the two of them attacking first, as above, use Combat Defense to reassign one Dodge on the third as an immediate action, and trip him too if he misses (assuming you have three or more attacks of opportunity)?

[KillianHawkeye]

A 71

All of that looks right to me.

[Troacctid]

Q 71

The Midnight Dodge feat from Magic of Incarnum includes the mention "Midnight Dodge can be used in place of the Dodge feat to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability."

This is usually an incentive to not take Dodge. However, I’ve realized that nothing prevent you from actually having both feats. In which case...

A: Both feats can be used in the same round to designate two different targets, gaining their respective dodge bonuses for each, or upon the same target (since Dodge bonuses stack), right? (This is actually how the Dodge Bonus class feature for the Swashbuckler already works along with the Dodge feat.)

B: If you have the Combat Defense feat (Players Handbook II) and maintain your combat focus, you can reassignate the target of the Dodge feat with an immediate action. Since both Midnight Dodge and Dodge can serve as prerequisite, you can reassignate the target of either feat, right? (Not both, of course, you only have one immediate action per round.)

C: On the other hand, if you have Combat Defense and at least three combat form feats, my guess is that the +1 dodge bonus can only apply to one of the two Dodge feats, not to both (especially since they can stack on the same target). Am I right in thinking that?

D: If you also have the Defensive Throw feat (Complete Warrior) and designate two separate targets with the two dodge feats, then I guess you trip either one that miss you this round. Now, could you trip both if both miss their attacks? (Considering Defensive Throw doesn’t include any limitation of uses per round, beyond the fact it uses up your attack of opportunities – and Combat Reflexes is a prerequisite.)

E: Finally... if you have both Dodge feats, Combat Defense, and Defensive Throw, and you are facing three opponents, can you first trip the two of them attacking first, as above, use Combat Defense to reassign one Dodge on the third as an immediate action, and trip him too if he misses (assuming you have three or more attacks of opportunity)?

A. Yes.
B–E. No. As written, Midnight Dodge (or Desert Wind Dodge, or Expeditious Dodge) only counts as Dodge for the purpose of qualifying for these effects, not for using them.

[St Fan]

A. Yes.
B–E. No. As written, Midnight Dodge (or Desert Wind Dodge, or Expeditious Dodge) only counts as Dodge for the purpose of qualifying for these effects, not for using them.

Okay, I guess that's the correct RAW reading... which mean it falls straight into dysfunctional rule, since you can qualify for Combat Defense or Defensive Throw with one of those alternates to Dodge... but then you can't use these feats because you don't have Dodge.

[Thurbane]

Q 072

Template/class combo question: Say a Lupin has the Monster of Legend Template, which can grant casting as a 5th level Cleric. Lupins advance by class level, so it takes Cleric 1 as it's class.

Would it have an effective Cleric casting level of 6 (5 from the template, 1 from class levels)?

[Venger]

A 72 6. Same as a monster like a fensir or solar who takes more levels in the racial casting they have.

[Thurbane]

A 72 6. Same as a monster like a fensir or solar who takes more levels in the racial casting they have.

That's what I thought, thanks. Seemed a little odd that a CR 3 creature could have cleric 6 casting, but I guess that's just a peculiarity of the CR system, especially with 3.0 material involved.

[Necroticplague]

Q 73:
Are weapons which deal only 1 point of damage, such as Tiny Gauntlets, still considered 'damage rolls' when they inflict damage, and thus capable of adding applicable bonuses, such as STR's '[modifier to] damage rolls when using melee weapons', despite the lack of any actual 'rolling' for the damage?

[Venger]

A 73 Yes, they are.

[Skevvix]

Q74 Does the bullrush from Knockback trigger Domino Rush from Shocktrooper?

[Venger]

A 74 Yes, it does.

[St Fan]

Q 75

The "Great Throw" feat (from Oriental Adventures), specifies that, on a successful trip attack, "you deal your normal unarmed strike damage to the opponent."*

However, since the damage is inflicted by the impact with the ground and not an actual unarmed strike, I get the feeling it cannot be classified as "weapon damage". In this case...

A: Can Great Throw causes a critical hit if the touch attack for the trip was a 20?

B: Can sneak attack damage (or other precision damage) be added to the effect of a Great Throw?

C: Would any Damage Reduction apply against this impact?

D: Would the Anti-Impact (http://www.realmshelps.net/magic/armor/Anti-Impact) armor property (from Complete Warrior) apply to this damage?

[Arkhios]

Q 76

As a Druid3/Wizard3/Mystic Theurge 8, if I cast Tenser's Transformation directly on my animal companion (AFAIK, Share Spells makes it possible), does the animal use my character level (14) or its' own HD (3, because it's a hawk) to determine the spell's effects on the animal companion?

[Necroticplague]

Q 76

As a Druid3/Wizard3/Mystic Theurge 8, if I cast Tenser's Transformation directly on my animal companion (AFAIK, Share Spells makes it possible), does the animal use my character level (14) or its' own HD (3, because it's a hawk) to determine the spell's effects on the animal companion?

A 76
Your character level.

Familiar Basics: Use the basic statistics for a creature of the familiar’s kind, but make the following changes:

Hit Dice: For the purpose of effects related to number of Hit Dice, use the master’s character level or the familiar’s normal HD total, whichever is higher.

Hit Points: The familiar has one-half the master’s total hit points (not including temporary hit points), rounded down, regardless of its actual Hit Dice.

Q 77
What's the name of the feat that allows for one to use a spell slot to fuel a wand (essentially turning wands into cheaper knowstones)?

[Debatra]

A 75

A. Yes.

B. Most likely, but it seems like an "ask your DM" area.

C. Yes.

D. Again, ask your DM. There's an argument that it should count, but it also may not.

A 76

Your character level.

[Venger]

A 77 Channel charge. Lost empires of Faerun p7

[Troacctid]

Q 77
What's the name of the feat that allows for one to use a spell slot to fuel a wand (essentially turning wands into cheaper knowstones)?
Wand Bonding, from City of Stormreach.

[Arkhios]

A 76
Your character level.


Re 76: Your quote is specifically about familiars, not animal companions. Note, that I was asking about an animal companion, not a familiar. Besides, that was part of the reason why I'm asking it. I know how to handle it for a familiar, but not how I would handle it for an animal companion. Animal Companion ≠ Familiar. Share Spells for an animal companion does *not* specify the nature of the spells which apply to it, so they could just as well be from wizard spell list as from druid spell list.

[Necroticplague]

Re 76: Your quote is specifically about familiars, not animal companions. Note, that I was asking about an animal companion, not a familiar. Besides, that was part of the reason why I'm asking it. I know how to handle it for a familiar, but not how I would handle it for an animal companion. Animal Companion ≠ Familiar. Share Spells for an animal companion does *not* specify the nature of the spells which apply to it, so they could just as well be from wizard spell list as from druid spell list.

Re:Re 76:
Ah, sorry, misread your question. Here's the closest I can find:


Animal Companion Basics: Use the base statistics for a creature of the companion’s kind, but make the following changes.

Class Level: The character’s druid level. The druid’s class levels stack with levels of any other classes that are entitled to an animal companion for the purpose of determining the companion’s abilities and the alternative lists available to the character.

Bonus HD: Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Consitution modifier, as normal. Remember that extra Hit Dice improve the animal companion’s base attack and base save bonuses. An animal companion’s base attack bonus is the same as that of a druid of a level equal to the animal’s HD. An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal’s HD). An animal companion gains additional skill points and feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice.

So, by all appearences, since an Animal Companion doesn't have any special kind of exception like a Familiar does, you'd use the Companion's HD normally.

[Arkhios]

Re:Re 76:
Ah, sorry, misread your question. Here's the closest I can find:


So, by all appearences, since an Animal Companion doesn't have any special kind of exception like a Familiar does, you'd use the Companion's HD normally.

Still not sure if that answers to the core of my question. Let me rephrase it:

If I cast Tenser's Transformation on my animal companion, which one does the 'your character level' in the spell's description refer to: the character who casts the spell or the targeted creature with Share Spells ability? Note that the creature does not cast the spell itself. As is, personal spells are intended to be cast on yourself, but, to me, Share Spells seems to create a corner case loophole for which I couldn't find a clear answer to.

[Falontani]

Does the alternate class feature Spiritual Totem: Bear's Improved Grab work on weapon attacks? Only Unarmed strikes? How does it function, it only links the actual improved grab ability which states it should be noted in the creature's entry which attack qualifies.

[Troacctid]

Does the alternate class feature Spiritual Totem: Bear's Improved Grab work on weapon attacks? Only Unarmed strikes? How does it function, it only links the actual improved grab ability which states it should be noted in the creature's entry which attack qualifies.
A 78

It works as the standard Improved Grab ability.

If a creature with this special attack hits with a melee weapon (usually a claw or bite attack), it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. No initial touch attack is required.

Unless otherwise noted, improved grab works only against opponents at least one size category smaller than the creature. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the improved grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a -20 penalty on grapple checks, but is not considered grappled itself; the creature does not lose its Dexterity bonus to AC, still threatens an area, and can use its remaining attacks against other opponents.

A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature’s descriptive text).

When a creature gets a hold after an improved grab attack, it pulls the opponent into its space. This act does not provoke attacks of opportunity. It can even move (possibly carrying away the opponent), provided it can drag the opponent’s weight.
When you hit a creature with a melee weapon, you can start a grapple as a free action if they're at least one size smaller than you. You can choose to take -20 on grapple checks to not be considered grappled yourself. If you successfully grapple them, they are pulled into your space.

[Debatra]

Still not sure if that answers to the core of my question. Let me rephrase it:

If I cast Tenser's Transformation on my animal companion, which one does the 'your character level' in the spell's description refer to: the character who casts the spell or the targeted creature with Share Spells ability? Note that the creature does not cast the spell itself. As is, personal spells are intended to be cast on yourself, but, to me, Share Spells seems to create a corner case loophole for which I couldn't find a clear answer to.

Whenever a spell description says "you", "your", etc., it is referring to the caster.

[lylsyly]

Q79 What is the least resisted (immunities, ect) energy type?

[Troacctid]

Q79 What is the least resisted (immunities, ect) energy type?
Sonic, followed by acid.

[Nich_Critic]

Q80 How does movement with multiple modes/speeds work? If have a 30 ft move speed and a 60ft fly speed, and move 15 feet then begin to fly, what is the farthest I'm allowed to move?

[Arkhios]

Q80 How does movement with multiple modes/speeds work? If have a 30 ft move speed and a 60ft fly speed, and move 15 feet then begin to fly, what is the farthest I'm allowed to move?

A80 (tentative)

I believe the 15 ft. movement on ground counts against the total fly speed, so you could still fly 45 ft. afterwards. But I'm not entirely sure of this.

[Falontani]

A80 (tentative)

I believe the 15 ft. movement on ground counts against the total fly speed, so you could still fly 45 ft. afterwards. But I'm not entirely sure of this.
This is correct

[St Fan]

Q 81

My question is: can you retrain a feat that is its own prerequisite?

Okay, that sounds weird, so let’s develop a bit. The retraining rules for feats specify...



If the new feat has prerequisites, not only must your character meet them in his current state, but you must also be able to show that he met them at the time you chose the previous feat.


So, early in his career, a character has taken a feat with the slot at level 3, let’s say Deflect Arrows. Later on, he gains Deflect Arrows as a bonus feat. Having now two redundant feats, he decides to retrain the first on his next level up.

Now, can he choose the exchange to be for a feat with Deflect Arrows as a prerequisite (like Spinning Defense)?

He fulfills the condition of meeting the prerequisite in his current state, thanks to the bonus feat. He also met the prerequisite at level 3, since he could have taken the feat at the time save for the fact he didn’t have enough feat slots. However, the feat slot used for the exchange is the one that provides said prerequisite, meaning he couldn’t have taken Spinning Defense at the time with this one slot for lack of Deflect Arrows...

[Nich_Critic]

This is correct

Q80 follow up I have one player in the game saying that the answer should be 15, since as a move action you're allowed to move up to your speed, which is 30. He would also claim that if you began the move by flying, you could move 60 ft whether some of it was walking or not.

Another interprets speed to be the rate at which you can move in one move action, so if you mix modes, you need to account for the different rate of speed. If you move 15 ft on land of your 30, you've used up half your movement, so you are only entitled to half your fly movement, which is 30ft of 60. (As an aside, I believe this is roughly how it works if you do something like tumble or swim without a swim speed. In effect, since the fly speed is twice the ground speed, you move 10 ft for each 5ft of movement spent, just like when you tumble at half speed, you move 5 ft for each 10ft spent. I don't know if that should affect the argument at all)

Are either of those positions defensible?

[Jopustopin]

Q82: The half-ogre in races of destiny has the giant type. Armor pricing indicates "humanoids" vs "non-humanoids". I've always read this pricing as being sort of generic term for humanoid in which even an ogre would be basically humanoid shaped. Is this false? Does the armor for a half-ogre cost X4 for being large and for him not being a humanoid? What about a half-dragon human?

[Venger]

A 80 There is no definitive RAW answer to this. It is beyond the scope of the thread.

A 81 This is specifically disallowed. You didn't qualify at level 3, so you can't take it.

A 82 Yes, it's using the term "humanoid" in the colloquial sense, meaning bipedal with 2 arms, 2 legs, one or more heads and a tail. You don't pay extra

[Malimar]

Q83

Weapons of Legacy: How do you tell which Legacy Item Abilities are Least, Lesser, or Greater?

[Venger]

A 83 It's in the index starting on p 188.

[Malimar]

Q83 Addendum

I meant for the existing Weapons of Legacy in Chapter 3, not for the purpose of creating new ones. Or is the only way to determine which abilities are Least/Lesser/Greater really to consult the Ability Menus? What about abilities that aren't in the menus?

(This is probably a dumb obvious question but I've scanned the whole book for an explanation and can't find one. I suspect it's as simple as "abilities unlocked at 5-10 are Least, 11-15 are Lesser, and 16-20 are Greater", but I can't find it saying that anywhere.)

[Sir_Chivalry]

Q84 So let's say I'm a character with ranks in Tumble and wearing medium or heavy armour (or carrying a heavy load), can I still make use of abilities like Drunken Master's Stagger:


Stagger (Ex): By tripping, stumbling, and staggering, a drunken master of 2nd level or higher can make a charge attack that surprises his opponents. This ability has two beneficial aspects: First, the charge need not be in a straight line, even though the character can still move up to twice his speed. Second, if a drunken master makes a DC 15 Tumble check before beginning a charge, his movement through threatened squares provokes no attacks of opportunity.

Or does the prohibition against using Tumble while speed is reduced carry over to using the skill for class features?

[Venger]

A 83 Yeah, you've got it basically figured out

A 84 You could use the first part of the ability, but not the second, since you can't use tumble in bulky armor. Activating stagger still necessitates hitting a tumble dc, which is using the skill.

[Vaern]

Q85 A

Can the tarrasque die by drowning?
The tarrasque's regeneration ability states that no form of attack can deal lethal damage to it.
However, the description of regeneration explicitly states that it does not restore hit points lost from starvation, thirst, or suffocation. Drowning is not a form of attack - merely a hazard of having lungs - and one might say that adjusting its health directly to 0, then -1, and then -10 is not necessarily "dealing damage" to it.

Q85 B

If drowning can't "kill" a tarrasque, would it at least still be reduced to -1 HP and unable to recover via its regeneration ability?

[Venger]

A 85a/b No. This is an effect that would kill it instantly, so in the third round after failing its save, it would take 868 points of nonlethal damage as described in its regeneration ability.

[Luckmann]

Q 86:

Is there anything preventing weapons from being enchanted with non-weapon enchantments, such as +Skill, Ability bonus, AC bonus, etc?

[Necroticplague]

Q 86:

Is there anything preventing weapons from being enchanted with non-weapon enchantments, such as +Skill, Ability bonus, AC bonus, etc?

A 86:
No, but there is also not anything that allows for it, so they can't, by default.

For your examples, 'weapon' or 'held' isn't even a possibility for the Common Magic Item Effects table.

[Sloanzilla]

Q87: The Luckstealer's (Races of the Wild) "Curse of the Fatespurned" is a spell-like ability. Would the roll to overcome spell resistance while attempting to use the curse be D20 + total caster level or D20 + the level of luckstealer?

[Troacctid]

Q87: The Luckstealer's (Races of the Wild) "Curse of the Fatespurned" is a spell-like ability. Would the roll to overcome spell resistance while attempting to use the curse be D20 + total caster level or D20 + the level of luckstealer?
I don't see anything saying that spell resistance applies to it at all. But the general rule is that you use the caster level of the effect to determine whether that effect can beat spell resistance, and the caster level of a spell-like ability is equal to your character level unless otherwise specified.

[Sloanzilla]

OK thanks. All I had was that it was a spell like ability (so SR often applies) and that the SAVE (not spell resistance), is based on the prestige class level. If spell resistance were based on prestige class, however, you'd never be able to overcome it.

(Luckstealers lose one caster level upon entry).

[flappeercraft]

Q88
For the purpose of Miracle replicating spells, would sanctified and or corrupt spells count as being on the cleric list or on the "any other list".

[Debatra]

I don't see anything saying that spell resistance applies to it at all. But the general rule is that you use the caster level of the effect to determine whether that effect can beat spell resistance, and the caster level of a spell-like ability is equal to your character level unless otherwise specified.


OK thanks. All I had was that it was a spell like ability (so SR often applies) and that the SAVE (not spell resistance), is based on the prestige class level. If spell resistance were based on prestige class, however, you'd never be able to overcome it.

(Luckstealers lose one caster level upon entry).

The section on SLAs (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm) says they're affected by Spell Resistance, with no note on ones that mimic spells that usually aren't.


Q88
For the purpose of Miracle replicating spells, would sanctified and or corrupt spells count as being on the cleric list or on the "any other list".

A 88

Despite prepared casters having access to them, Sanctified and Corrupt spells don't actually appear on those classes spell lists.

[Venger]

A 88 correction Any prepared caster can cast them. Clerics are prepared casters. You treat them as being on the cleric list.

[Debatra]

A 88 correction Any prepared caster can cast them. Clerics are prepared casters. You treat them as being on the cleric list.

As per the thread procedure, I will simply ask flappeercraft to make a thread for it if he wants instead of debating it here.

[RoboEmperor]

A 88 correction Any prepared caster can cast them. Clerics are prepared casters. You treat them as being on the cleric list.

A 88 correction
Debatra is right, Venger is wrong.

http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20031004c

Sanctified spells are specific to no character class. They are neither inherently arcane nor divine spells. A divine caster casting a sanctified spell casts it as a divine spell, while an arcane caster casts it as an arcane spell.

While wizards, druids, rangers, and paladins can all prepare sanctified spells, clerics have a special advantage: they can spontaneously cast any sanctified spell, just as they can spontaneously cast cure wounds spells.

They're no different than domain spells. Clerics get access to domain spells but they are not cleric spells and therefore the higher level sanctified spells are unreplicatable by miracle. Especially since only GOOD characters have access to sanctified spells, not neutral or evil clerics.

[Venger]

I agree with Debatra in that if you want to argue about this, you should make a separate thread, in keeping with thread procedure.

[St Fan]

Q 89

Just a matter of wording clarification: When something is described as happening "on your action", it means during your turn of the initiative, right?

The (very stupid, IMHO) argument I've seen is that, if you have any ability resolved as an immediate action, you can piggyback anything that's resolved "on your action" alongside it, even if it's not your turn.

The specific thing they were trying to do is to change the target of the Dodge feat during an immediate action (without the Combat Defense feat), because the Dodge feat say you pick the target "During you action".

(I've seen the Dodge feat clarified as using a free action, and free actions are usable only during your turn, but it isn't part of the original feat's description.)

[Debatra]

A 89

A strict reading of RAW actually does allow for that, though it's obviously not what was intended. There's a good reason the phrase "RAW and logic aren't exactly on speaking terms" is so popular here.

That said, you can also get around it by pointing out cases like Dodge which require certain actions which can't be taken alongside Immediate Actions.

[Thurbane]

Q 090

Would a Grease (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/grease.htm) spell targeted at an opponent's weapon that they are wielding break an Invisibility (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/invisibility.htm) spell on the caster?


The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature receives a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect.


For purposes of this spell, an attack includes any spell targeting a foe or whose area or effect includes a foe.

[deadseid]

Q91
If a character dies of ghoul fever, they rise as a ghoul the following midnight. What can be done, if anything, between character death and midnight to prevent rising? Would decapitation of the corpse suffice as my players are hoping? I'm thinking no. If not, do all dismembered body parts reanimate individually? Does the corpse reform? Not finding anything that defines ghoul fever better than the mm.

[Troacctid]

Q 090

Would a Grease (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/grease.htm) spell targeted at an opponent's weapon that they are wielding break an Invisibility (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/invisibility.htm) spell on the caster?
No. It doesn't target an enemy. Interestingly, Invisibility does say that targeting an unattended object doesn't end the spell, which may signal that the intent was that targeting an attended object DOES end the spell; however, that's RAI, which is outside the scope of this thread.


Q91
If a character dies of ghoul fever, they rise as a ghoul the following midnight. What can be done, if anything, between character death and midnight to prevent rising? Would decapitation of the corpse suffice as my players are hoping? I'm thinking no. If not, do all dismembered body parts reanimate individually? Does the corpse reform? Not finding anything that defines ghoul fever better than the mm.
I'm not aware of any special rules for what happens to dismembered corpses when they're supposed to rise as ghouls, so expect table variation. There are, of course, magical effects that can prevent corpses from becoming undead.

[St Fan]

Q 92

Just out of morbid curiosity:

For classes that have a special restriction to multiclassing (Paladin and Monk), by a very strict reading of RAW, wouldn't Gestalt Characters be restricted to only 1 level in those classes, since they automatically raise another class by a level alongside the Monk/Paladin level? (Well, maybe 2 levels if you consider the first other-class level taken at the same time to not count [i.e. taken before]...)

And would the feat Monastic Training help?

[Troacctid]

Q 92

Just out of morbid curiosity:

For classes that have a special restriction to multiclassing (Paladin and Monk), by a very strict reading of RAW, wouldn't Gestalt Characters be restricted to only 1 level in those classes, since they automatically raise another class by a level alongside the Monk/Paladin level? (Well, maybe 2 levels if you consider the first other-class level taken at the same time to not count [i.e. taken before]...)

And would the feat Monastic Training help?
Gestalt is similar to multiclassing, but it is not multiclassing. As long as you continue taking monk levels, you have not left the class.

[St Fan]

Gestalt is similar to multiclassing, but it is not multiclassing. As long as you continue taking monk levels, you have not left the class.

Good point. Not that I expected anybody to have ever done otherwise.

Q 93

Correct me if I'm mistaken: feats are by default Extraordinary (Ex) unless they are part of a subgroup explicitly described otherwise (like Exalted or Psionic feats, which are supernatural)...

So, does that mean that Item Creation feats are Extraordinary?

Could you (theoretically) start a magic item creation process inside a dead magic zone?

[Wacky89]

Q94
By RAW, If i have knowledge devotion and wild shape into something with poison.
Does knowledge devotion add more ability damage on the poison?

[Venger]

A 93 Yes and yes.

A 94 By RAW, yes, same as factotum's cunning insight. A damage roll is a damage roll.

[King of Nowhere]

Q95: Is hardness subtracted from any damage source?
Because I have an epic armor made of living plant that absorbs any fire or acid damage taken by the user, protecting him but taking damage itself (if it is destroyed that way, it leaves behind a seed from which it regrows over time, so no panic). And I'm not 100% sure if hardness should apply to that damage.
Also, I have an epic diamond golem that reflects part of the weapon damage dealt to it back to the weapon (the golem counts as epic and adamantine for the purpose of overcoming DR), and I'm not 100% sure if/when hardness should apply

[Troacctid]

Q95: Is hardness subtracted from any damage source?
Because I have an epic armor made of living plant that absorbs any fire or acid damage taken by the user, protecting him but taking damage itself (if it is destroyed that way, it leaves behind a seed from which it regrows over time, so no panic). And I'm not 100% sure if hardness should apply to that damage.
Also, I have an epic diamond golem that reflects part of the weapon damage dealt to it back to the weapon (the golem counts as epic and adamantine for the purpose of overcoming DR), and I'm not 100% sure if/when hardness should apply
Any damage dealt to an object (or animated object) is reduced by hardness unless otherwise stated. Certain types of damage may ignore hardness and even deal double damage, at the DM's discretion; other types may deal reduced damage or no damage at all. Fire and electricity deal half damage to most objects; cold deals 1/4 damage; and acid and sonic deal damage as if the object were a creature.

[Hish]

Q96
Could I theoretically purchase a rod of rulership (from the DMG) that is 99.8% depleted (only one minute left) for .2% of the cost?

I'm aware that it wouldn't be worth 5000 gp, it would just look like it is.

Q97
A rod of wonder may reduce the wielder to 1/12 of his height. This seems to have absolutely no mechanical effects. Is that the case?

[Venger]

A 96 Rods don't work the same way as wands, so can't be bought partially charged using the same formula.

A 97 Mechanically, no. The DMG is silent on any mechanical alterations this may give. The srd takes it upon itself to hotlink reduce person in the description, but there doesn't seem to be any basis for this. Reduce person reduces height by 1/2, not by 1/12 (though it's possible 1/12th was a typo, and it was intended as 1/2, as reduce person.) Rod of wonder, unlike reduce person, does nothing to reduce your weight, depth, or width, so you will be super weird looking.

[Thurbane]

Just a general point of interest in regards to Rod of Wonder: the 1E version of the item (Wand of Wonder) had an effect "diminish wand wielder to 1/12' height". I don't believe the 3E version of the item is a typo, just a rather ill-defined attempt to stay faithful to the older item effects.

[Venger]

Just a general point of interest in regards to Rod of Wonder: the 1E version of the item (Wand of Wonder) had an effect "diminish wand wielder to 1/12' height". I don't believe the 3E version of the item is a typo, just a rather ill-defined attempt to stay faithful to the older item effects.

That's interesting. Was the ' in there? (e.g. it reduces the wielder to 1 inch in height?) That's even odder.

[unseenmage]

Q98
How does one go about finding a heroic NPC with a specific PC class to retrain with?
Or is this entirely GM specific?

[Troacctid]

Q98
How does one go about finding a heroic NPC with a specific PC class to retrain with?
Or is this entirely GM specific?
The retraining rules do not require this.

[St Fan]

Q 99

I just realized this case is not directly covered by the rules:

What happen when a spellcaster busy casting a spell (or concentrating on maintaining one) is hit by a stunning fist and fails his For save?

Does that count as an automatic failed concentration check?

There's also the fact he drops anything held in hand (bye material components...).

[Venger]

A 99 Is the spellcaster casting a spell that requires a full round or something? In that case, he'd be unable to finish casting it.

[St Fan]

A 99 Is the spellcaster casting a spell that requires a full round or something? In that case, he'd be unable to finish casting it.

That's the clear-cut case, but I was thinking about a spellcaster hit by the stunning fist as a readied action, precisely to increase the chance of disturbing spellcasting.

Now that I said it, the rule about readied actions might indeed provide the answer...



If the triggered action is part of another character’s activities, you interrupt the other character. Assuming he is still capable of doing so, he continues his actions once you complete your readied action.


And concentrating to maintain a cast spell largely follows the same rules as casting...

[Thurbane]

A 099


Stunned
A stunned creature drops everything held, can’t take actions, takes a -2 penalty to AC, and loses his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any).


Concentration
The spell lasts as long as you concentrate on it. Concentrating to maintain a spell is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Anything that could break your concentration when casting a spell can also break your concentration while you’re maintaining one, causing the spell to end.


Action
None. Making a Concentration check doesn’t take an action; it is either a free action (when attempted reactively) or part of another action (when attempted actively).

Looking at the rules above, anything that requires an action is impossible when you're stunned, including maintaining a spell or completing the casting of a full round spell.

Stunning doesn't preclude making a Concentration check in and of itself, however, unless that use of Concentration requires some kind of action.

[Thurbane]

Q 100

How do the feats Combat Expertise and Stone Colossus (RoF) interact?

Say I have both feats, and take a -5 penalty to hit. Do I gain a +5 dodge bonus and +5 natural armor bonus to AC?

[King of Nowhere]

Q101: I have a monk and would like to take the benefit of thicket of blades. I do not want to multiclass because I want the spell resistance at higher level (for story reasons). I could consider getting a single level in something else, no more. do I have ways to get thicket of blades?

[Venger]

A 101 Take martial study with some other devoted spirit maneuver, then take martial stance to get thicket of blades when your IL is high enough.

[Thurbane]

Q101: I have a monk and would like to take the benefit of thicket of blades. I do not want to multiclass because I want the spell resistance at higher level (for story reasons). I could consider getting a single level in something else, no more. do I have ways to get thicket of blades?

A101

You've got a couple of options:

1/2 of all non-initiator class levels count towards IL.

Thicket of Blades is a 3rd level Warblade stance, meaning you need IL 5.

So Monk 8/Warblade 1 could take the stance as the stance known for Warblade 1 (assuming you meet all the other reqs).

You could also get it with the Martial Stance feat, if you meet the reqs and have IL 5 (so Monk 10); you could take it as your 12th level feat.

Finally, there is the magic item option, usually as a Martial Script, which is a consumable item.

Ninja'd, while I was stuck on a phonecall :/

[Troacctid]

So Monk 8/Warblade 1 could take the stance as the stance known for Warblade 1 (assuming you meet all the other reqs).
This is incorrect—you can only gain a 1st level stance at Warblade 1.

[Thurbane]

This is incorrect—you can only gain a 1st level stance at Warblade 1.

Can I have a citation for that? My understanding is that you can take any stance that you meet the reqs for?

Never mind, I answered my own question:

http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20060802a&page=2


Stances Known: You begin play with knowledge of one 1st-level stance from any discipline open to warblades.

ninja'd from being on the phone again! :P

[Troacctid]

Can I have a citation for hat? My understanding is that you can take any stance that you meet the reqs for?
You are specifically granted a 1st level stance at level 1.

Stances Known: You begin play with knowledge of one 1st-level stance from any discipline open to warblades.
Contrast with the wording for maneuvers, which does allow for higher-level choices.

Maneuvers: You begin your career with knowledge of three martial maneuvers. The disciplines available to you are Diamond Mind, Iron Heart, Stone Dragon, Tiger Claw, and White Raven.

[heavyfuel]

Q 100

How do the feats Combat Expertise and Stone Colossus (RoF) interact?

Say I have both feats, and take a -5 penalty to hit. Do I gain a +5 dodge bonus and +5 natural armor bonus to AC?

A 100

Using either feat is independent from using the other. If you use Combat Expertise for -5/+5, you don't get the bonus from Stone Colossus. The reverse is also true.

However, nothing says you can't use both at one. So you could take -5 on Combat Expertise and -5 on Stone Colossus and gain a total of +10 AC

[St Fan]

Q 102

A question about items familiars:



If you ever lose the chosen item (have it removed from your possession for a continuous period of more than one day per level) or if the item is destroyed, you automatically lose 200 XP per level as well as all benefits derived from possessing the linked item (plus any resources you put into the item). If you recover the item, you regain these XP. You may replace a lost or destroyed item familiar after you have advanced one level, as if you were gaining an item familiar for the first time.

The consequences for losing an item and having it destroyed are the same. However, let's say you've lost an item, and forged a bond with a new one on your next level.

What happen then if you recover the original item that you believed were lost forever?

I doubt you can have two item familiars, so my guess is that forging the new link severed the previous one, making it lose its item familiar properties.

But it would still have its original magic, as well as any other improvements made to it by the same processus as other magical items...

[Arkhios]

Q 103

another question about familiars in general:

Starting at its master's 3rd level, a familiar can deliver a touch spell. How would this ability interact with Produce Flame? could your familiar hold the charge and deliver the touch attacks, and while just holding it, shed light like a torch?

[Muktidata]

Q.104

The Divine Oracle prestige class requires that you be able to cast two Divine Spells for entry. Can those be satisfied by two cantrips? Please provide citations.

[Skevvix]

A 104. Yes, pg 35 of Complete Divine has no mention of spell level in the requirements.

[heavyfuel]

Q.104

The Divine Oracle prestige class requires that you be able to cast two Divine Spells for entry. Can those be satisfied by two cantrips? Please provide citations.

A 104 - Continuation.

Divine Oracle requires you be able to cast two divination spells, not two divine spells. They can, however, be cantrips/orisons.

[Goaty14]

Q 105

The Inspire Courage handbook (http://minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=8936.0) mentions that having a level in Sorcerer grants the dragonblood subtype. Is this true?

[Venger]

A 105 No, it's not.

[St Fan]

Q 106

Perusing some forums, I've seen the general thinking seems to be that it is legit by RAW to use Cleave after an Attack of Opportunity that fell its victim, but is considered illogical (after all, the second target didn't provoke an AoO) and thus frequently houseruled against.

However, I do believe there is a RAW argument against it. The rules for Making an Attack of Opportunity state:

"An attack of opportunity is a single melee attack," and also that "[The Combat Reflexes] feat does not let you make more than one attack for a given opportunity,"...

To me, "a single melee attack" would preclude any Cleave to follow. Only feats that explicitly allow more than one melee attack on an AoO (which do exist, like Double Hit from the Miniatures Handbook) can break this limit.

Am I correct with this interpretation?

Q 107
While I'm at it, this made me think of something else...

The few techniques adding a supplementary attack in exchange for a to-hit malus (most often -2) on all attacks (like Flurry of Blows or Snap Kick) usually specify that the malus carry over to attacks of opportunity made after your turn. In fact, as far as I know it is the case for any technique that lower your chance to hit, like Combat Expertise or Power Attack.

However, is it the case with Two-Weapon Fighting? Do you still have the malus to your primary hand to Attacks of Opportunity following an off-hand attack?

What made me wonder is how exactly it interacts with the aforementioned "Double Hit" feat...



When making an attack of opportunity, you may make an attack with your off hand against the same target at the same time. You must decide before your first attack roll whether you want to also use your off hand. If you do, both attacks take the standard penalties for fighting with two weapons.

[Venger]

A 106 No

A 107 Yes. Yes.

Double hit doesn't change anything. You follow twfing rules normally.

[St Fan]

A 106 No

A 107 Yes. Yes.


I'd love to see an actual argument rather than terse answers.

[Thurbane]

Q 108

Does wearing a spiked gauntlet impede the use of that hand for other tasks, such as wielding a different weapon, casting spells or using a skill such as Disable Device? Citation needed if possible, please.

[jdizzlean]

Q 109

RAI for the Dragonborn template seems to be that you must be good, but RAW doesn't explicitly state that it has a alignment restriction. Can you in fact be evil and be a dragonborn?

[Thurbane]

A 109

You don't need to be good, but you do need to be non-evil:


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 are also consequences to becoming evil after gaining the template, as per the Tarnished Dragonborn section (RotD p.15).

[Blue Jay]

Q 110

Does the duskblade's Arcane Channeling ability allow him to channel a spell from a wand?

[Venger]

A 108 You only take penalties that are printed. Spiked gauntlet and "finesse"-like skills such as disable device lack any such proviso that spiked gauntlets impede their operation. You take no penalty, but I can't cite what doesn't exist.


A 110 No.

[Wacky89]

Q 111
Can i use the power Animal Affinity multiple times to different stats or does it count as same source and doesnt stack?

Q 112
If i have supernatural transformation for my psionic powers. Are every power standard action to manifest or do they have their normal manifest time?

[Venger]

A 111 Yes, you can use it on multiple stats.

A 112 Supernatural transformation doesn't affect manifesting time. It is unchanged.

[Troacctid]

Q 111
Can i use the power Animal Affinity multiple times to different stats or does it count as same source and doesnt stack?
If the bonus is to a different attribute, then the stacking rules don't come into play, so this works fine.


Q 112
If i have supernatural transformation for my psionic powers. Are every power standard action to manifest or do they have their normal manifest time?
Supernatural Transformation only works on an innate spell-like ability. "My psionic powers" is not a legal choice.

[Arkhios]

I'd love to see an actual argument rather than terse answers.

This is simple RAW thread, not the place for arguments when the answer is as simple as that. If you want to have an argument about the topic, either for or against, start a separate thread.

[St Fan]

A 111 contention


A 111 Yes, you can use it on multiple stats.



If the bonus is to a different attribute, then the stacking rules don't come into play, so this works fine.


You are both wrong.




Same Effect with Differing Results
The same power or spell can sometimes produce varying effects if applied to the same recipient more than once. The last effect in a series trumps the others. None of the previous spells or powers are actually removed or dispelled, but their effects become irrelevant while the final spell or power in the series lasts.


No spell or power stack with itself, unless there is a specific exception given in the spell/power's description.

Animal Affinity only affect one attribute, and initiating it again just replace which attribute, overriding the previous use.

To affect more than one attribute, you specifically use the "Augment" variant of the power, which cost 5 additional power points. Trying to cheap out by initiating the power again isn't allowed, and it would render this option nonsensical.

[Venger]

A 111 again We both already answered this question correctly. Please don't muddy the waters.

The augment allows you to boost more than one ability simultaneously. That's the utility it offers over manifesting the power once for strength and once for dexterity, for example.

[Troacctid]

A 111 contention





You are both wrong.




No spell or power stack with itself, unless there is a specific exception given in the spell/power's description.

Animal Affinity only affect one attribute, and initiating it again just replace which attribute, overriding the previous use.

To affect more than one attribute, you specifically use the "Augment" variant of the power, which cost 5 additional power points. Trying to cheap out by initiating the power again isn't allowed, and it would render this option nonsensical.
I'll answer this as if it were another question.

You've referenced the stacking rules from the SRD, which is stripped of the examples. Here is the original text from the PHB.

The same spell can sometimes produce varying effects if applied to the same recipient more than once. For example, a series of polymorph spells might turn a creature into a mouse, a lion, and then a snail. In this case, the last spell in the series trumps the others. None of the previous spells are actually removed or dispelled, but their effects become irrelevant while the final spell in the series lasts.
The rules go on to clarify how it works when spells are rendered irrelevant.

Sometimes, one spell can render a later spell irrelevant. For example, if a wizard is using a shapechange spell to take the shape of an eagle, a polymorph spell could change her into a goldfish. The shapechange spell is not negated, however, and since the polymorph spell has no effect on the recipient’s special abilities, the wizard could use the shapechange effect to take any form the spell allows whenever she desires. If a creature using a shapechange effect becomes petrified by a flesh to stone spell, however, it turns into a mindless, inert statue, and the shapechange effect cannot help it escape.
TL;DR the previous castings are still active and providing their bonuses. New castings do nothing to override that.

[Blue Jay]

Q 110

Does the duskblade's Arcane Channeling ability allow him to channel a spell from a wand?

Sorry, I have a corollary to add, because I forgot one piece of the question.

Q 110b

A duskblade cannot channel a spell from a wand. Is there an exception if he's got the wand in a wand chamber in his weapon?

[Venger]

A 110b That does not change the answer. Arcane channeling allows a duskblade to channel spells that he gets via slots from being a duskblade. Regardless of how he owns, handles, or uses wands, arcane channeling does not allow him to use wands.

[Blue Jay]

A 110b That does not change the answer. Arcane channeling allows a duskblade to channel spells that he gets via slots from being a duskblade. Regardless of how he owns, handles, or uses wands, arcane channeling does not allow him to use wands.

Technically, it says he can channel any spell he knows: it doesn't restrict him to just his duskblade spells.

Okay, no more tangents, Blue Jay.

[Falontani]

Q113

If a duskblade is wielding a wand and activates the feat Wandstrike can he use arcane channeling to cast one of his spells that he possesses?

[Venger]

A 113 Both consume your standard action, so this is not normally possible.

[Thurbane]

Q 114

Price check please (I'm the DM, just checking my sums): custom wondrous item; Restoration 1/day, command word activation, slot-less. CL 7th. 4 * 7 * 1800 / 5 * 2 = 20,160gp. (If it was made by a Healer, then CL 5th, 3 * 5 * 1800 / 2 * 2 = 10,800gp).

What I'm stumped on is how the 100gp material component cost for restoration adds to this? Do I just add a flat 100gp for a total of 20,260gp (10,900gp)? I know for wands you multiply the material component cost by charges...

[Venger]

A 114

For a daily limit item, you treat it as though it had 50 charges, so 5000gp in this case. All your other math is correct.

[jdizzlean]

Q 115

if you are playing a humanoid, and you permanently advance your size 1 catgory larger, do you follow the rules for size increases in the MM for advancing monsters, or is there another source to use as a player?

[zergling.exe]

A 115

It depends on the rules for what you are using to increase your size, that table is generally for advancing via RHD, but there are a few things that reference it for stats (most famously half-minotaur I believe, which ends up giving +16 Str because of it, +8 from the template and a further +8 from size adjustment). If you use a permanancied enlarge person you would only get the benefits outlined by the spell, other sources may have differing rules on what you get.

[Kalkra]

Q 116
What happens if a phaerimm takes the Blend Into Shadows feat, specifically with regards to the one additional use of the darkness spell-like ability. It can use it's racial spellcasting to cast darkness as a spell-like ability, but does it get an extra spell slot which it can use only for darkness, or what?

[Blue Jay]

Q 116
What happens if a phaerimm takes the Blend Into Shadows feat, specifically with regards to the one additional use of the darkness spell-like ability. It can use it's racial spellcasting to cast darkness as a spell-like ability, but does it get an extra spell slot which it can use only for darkness, or what?

A 116

A phaerimm doesn't have darkness as an SLA, so it doesn't qualify for the feat, and gains no benefit from it.

[Kalkra]

A phaerimm prepares it's spells as SLAs. If it prepares darkness, now it has darkness as an SLA.

[Thurbane]

Q 117

Weird one, bear with me: is there any listed time for how long it takes to gain an acquired template, specifically Greenbound (LEoF)?

Asking if a construct could have the Greater Humanoid Essence spell (RoE) cast on it, and acquire the template in the 1 round/caster level duration of the spell?