St Fan
2019-08-12, 09:42 AM
I am pondering about the Scorn Earth power from the Elocater prestige class, and how useful it can be.
Scorn Earth (Su): At 1st level, an elocater's feet lift from the ground. From now on, she can float a foot above the ground. Instead of walking she glides along, unconcerned with the hard earth or difficult terrain. While she remains within 1 foot of a flat surface of any solid or liquid, she can take normal actions and make normal attacks, and can move at her normal speed (she can even "run" at four times her normal speed). However, at distances higher than 1 foot above any surface, her speed diminishes to 10 feet per round.
While she remains within 1 foot of a surface, she can make melee and ranged attacks normally, but if she moves any higher, she incurs the penalties on melee and ranged attack rolls as if she were the subject of the psionic levitate power (see the levitate spell description, page 248 of the Player's Handbook).
Okay, first of the description of gliding along instead of walking would imply the character no longer need to move her legs to travel. Personally (but that's just a fluff/flavor thing), I envision instead the character still walking/running (since she keeps her normal speed), but doing so on an invisible "ground" generated by her power. Maybe with a slight visual/sound effect.
Also, like with any supernatural power, I consider it goes without saying that it can be switched off at will. It's a necessity when keeping a low profile is required.
Advantages:
Ignore any kind of difficult terrain. That’s quite explicit in the description. Thus, can always move at full speed and charge or run even over obstructed or slippery terrain.
Works above liquids, thus allow the Elocater to easily walk on water as if on dry land. I’m not entirely clear if the power would permit to rise above water if you’re already immerged, though.
Immune to caltrops, spikes, acid, poison, hot coals, grease, ice, glue or other hazards spread on the floor.
Immune to trap doors; probably doesn’t trigger them, and even if it was the case certainly won’t fall through. Won't trigger most traps relying on pressure plates, in fact.
Immune to some attacks conveyed through the floor, like Stomp.
Theoretically, could be impervious to a purely crawling swarm (as opposed to a flying one). I wouldn’t count too much on this one, though; even if the critters can’t jump, they may crawl unto each other, army-ants style, to reach, or climb on nearby walls or trees to let themselves drop on the subject. Relying solely on Scorn Earth to avoid a crawling swarm would be quite risky anyway.
Makes you technically 1 foot taller. Notably affect vertical reach for high jump. I can see Scorn Earth being favored by small characters for the increased reach and the pleasure of speaking to taller people face-to-face.
Can spook superstitious characters by floating above the ground. Would rather normally be a drawback, leading to avoid using Scorn Earht in public when you don’t want to draw attention. However, it can also be exploited. Pick a cloak covering enough to hide the feet, and you can pass for a specter.
Keep your feet dry, and clean of mud and dirt. One Elocater of mine will certainly forego footwear along the line.
There has been debate whether a character gliding would get circumstance bonuses to move silently while not touching the ground. The description of the power doesn't explicitly say, though. At least, the character would probably be immune to circumstance penalties for moving silently, like a squeaky floor or dry leaves, since not touching them.
Drawbacks:
Can’t use techniques that require to be in contact with the ground, like the Stone Dragon martial maneuvers.
That's just on top of my head. Do you guys can see any other advantage and/or drawbacks of the power that I have neglected?
Scorn Earth (Su): At 1st level, an elocater's feet lift from the ground. From now on, she can float a foot above the ground. Instead of walking she glides along, unconcerned with the hard earth or difficult terrain. While she remains within 1 foot of a flat surface of any solid or liquid, she can take normal actions and make normal attacks, and can move at her normal speed (she can even "run" at four times her normal speed). However, at distances higher than 1 foot above any surface, her speed diminishes to 10 feet per round.
While she remains within 1 foot of a surface, she can make melee and ranged attacks normally, but if she moves any higher, she incurs the penalties on melee and ranged attack rolls as if she were the subject of the psionic levitate power (see the levitate spell description, page 248 of the Player's Handbook).
Okay, first of the description of gliding along instead of walking would imply the character no longer need to move her legs to travel. Personally (but that's just a fluff/flavor thing), I envision instead the character still walking/running (since she keeps her normal speed), but doing so on an invisible "ground" generated by her power. Maybe with a slight visual/sound effect.
Also, like with any supernatural power, I consider it goes without saying that it can be switched off at will. It's a necessity when keeping a low profile is required.
Advantages:
Ignore any kind of difficult terrain. That’s quite explicit in the description. Thus, can always move at full speed and charge or run even over obstructed or slippery terrain.
Works above liquids, thus allow the Elocater to easily walk on water as if on dry land. I’m not entirely clear if the power would permit to rise above water if you’re already immerged, though.
Immune to caltrops, spikes, acid, poison, hot coals, grease, ice, glue or other hazards spread on the floor.
Immune to trap doors; probably doesn’t trigger them, and even if it was the case certainly won’t fall through. Won't trigger most traps relying on pressure plates, in fact.
Immune to some attacks conveyed through the floor, like Stomp.
Theoretically, could be impervious to a purely crawling swarm (as opposed to a flying one). I wouldn’t count too much on this one, though; even if the critters can’t jump, they may crawl unto each other, army-ants style, to reach, or climb on nearby walls or trees to let themselves drop on the subject. Relying solely on Scorn Earth to avoid a crawling swarm would be quite risky anyway.
Makes you technically 1 foot taller. Notably affect vertical reach for high jump. I can see Scorn Earth being favored by small characters for the increased reach and the pleasure of speaking to taller people face-to-face.
Can spook superstitious characters by floating above the ground. Would rather normally be a drawback, leading to avoid using Scorn Earht in public when you don’t want to draw attention. However, it can also be exploited. Pick a cloak covering enough to hide the feet, and you can pass for a specter.
Keep your feet dry, and clean of mud and dirt. One Elocater of mine will certainly forego footwear along the line.
There has been debate whether a character gliding would get circumstance bonuses to move silently while not touching the ground. The description of the power doesn't explicitly say, though. At least, the character would probably be immune to circumstance penalties for moving silently, like a squeaky floor or dry leaves, since not touching them.
Drawbacks:
Can’t use techniques that require to be in contact with the ground, like the Stone Dragon martial maneuvers.
That's just on top of my head. Do you guys can see any other advantage and/or drawbacks of the power that I have neglected?