Web spell vs. Gaseous form.

[orlondok]

I am designing a vampire adventure and wanted to clarify something.
One of my players favorite spells is web.
Should this effect the vampires when they are in gaseous form?
I would say no myself but is there any rule that supports this?
(this particular player is an argue-some one ... lol)

[BowStreetRunner]

This is an interesting situation, by RAW. "Creatures in gaseous form (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#gaseousForm) have damage reduction 10/magic. Spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities affect them normally." So a gaseous creature within the area of a Web spell being cast would by RAW need to make a reflex save as normal or become entangled.

However, on its next action, the vampire could move out. Since "A gaseous creature can move about and do the things that a cloud of gas can conceivably do, such as flow through the crack under a door", by RAW the vampire could just flow through the open spaces in the web, thereby escaping the web. So it would be entangled in a very technical sense until its next action, at which point it would just flow through the openings and move away.

I actually like this interaction, because it makes it look like the spell worked at first, but then just dashes the hopes of the PCs on the vampires next turn. :smallamused:

[Goaty14]

There is no RAW saying that something in gaseous form (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/gaseousForm.htm) can go through a web (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/web.htm) (though it could definitely go over the web with the 10ft perfect fly speed).

I guess if you interpret a web as having gaps in between the strands, then the gaseous form's ability to go through narrow openings could probably work.

[Feantar]

Iin the gaseous form entry (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#gaseousForm), it specifies: A gaseous creature can move about and do the things that a cloud of gas can conceivably do [...] So the question is, does web immobilise the air or other gases? No, otherwise it would be unable to work on anything else, as air would immediately envelop every sticky part of the web insulating creatures from it. So it shouldn't immobilise a gaseous form either. It would however, provide cover as normal, and a web on fire might damage a gaseous creature going through it, as it would constantly be in contact (ie within the flaming web (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/web.htm)).

Sorry for the lack of more specific rules, but I think the above might cover you.

[orlondok]

Thanx much as usual for all the quick and helpful comments / information ...

As a side note ... what does RAW mean?

[Dagroth]

As for Web stopping movement of Gaseous Form... no, it would not.

In the spell description of Web, it says that if you have 5ft of Web between you and an attacker, you have Cover. If you have 20ft of Web between you and an attacker, you have Total Cover.

Therefore, Web does not block Line of Sight over short distances. Therefore, Web must have gaps through which attacks (such as Arrows or Reach Weapons) can go through.

Thus, the Gaseous Vampire can move through the Web, but only at half speed (5ft).

Edit: If the Gaseous Vampire fails their Reflex Save, they by RAW they are prevented from moving until they make a DC-20 Str check or a DC-25 Escape Artist check. However, they are unable to manipulate things while Gaseous... so that's not a way they can use. Also, by RAW, Gaseous Form gives no bonus to Escape Artist.

Further notice that being entangled in a Web gives a -4 Dex penalty... thus an effective DC-27 Escape Artist check.

Edit #2: RAW = Rules as Written. This is different from RAI = Rules as Intended.