Simple RAW Thread for 3.5 #36: The Triple Dozen

[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.

This thread will serve as a catch-all for simple, discreet questions that can be answered quickly according to the RAW (Rules As Written). This thread is for all simple RAW questions about D&D 3.5. If your question is not about the RAW for 3.5, please look in the appropriate threads in the appropriate forums.


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[madangrypally]

Q1 While shapechanging (Tibbit Race) into a cat can I keep class features like improved unarmed attack (monk) and AC bonuses from sources like Natural Armor increases or Bracers of Armor?

Q2 Are Staff Spells effected by other class/race/item features or is it just the CL and DCs and not features like Summons auto extend (THAUMATURGIST)?

Thanks.

[Falontani]

A1You retain any class features that still work (so as long as the tibbit remains unarmored and has no more than a light load). Your bracers are a trickier matter.

A tibbit's equipment usually transforms to become part of her cat body. She loses the benefits of any weapons, shields, armor, or robes she wears or carries. Items that require a physical apparatus to function, such as a ring or a pair of boots, shift to adopt a form suitable to a cat, such as a collar or anklet and continue to provide their benefits.
According to the quoted material, a pair of bracers should fall into the category of items that require a physical apparatus to function, and may shift to adopt a form suitable to the cat form.

[Vaern]

A2
Ask your DM
The staff description says it uses your ability score and relevant feats to set the DC of the spell, and your own caster level if it's higher than the staffs. There is nothing to directly indicate that abilities which otherwise augment the functionality of the spell should apply.
You are, however, considered the caster of the spell when activating a staff, so your class feature may supercede the exclusion of these abilities from the staff's description. A passive effect that applies to all spells you cast may still be viable even if you are unable to actively apply abilities like metamagic feats to a staff spell.

[blackwindbears]

Q3 A level 5 psion uses a torc of power preservation on energy ray. What is the maximum amount of damage they can do assuming nothing else is at play? Spend 4 power points and get a 5d6 ray or Spend 5 power points and get a 6d6 ray?

[KillianHawkeye]

A 3

Upon review, I believe the answer is 6d6.

I'm pretty sure the item wasn't meant to allow you to produce effects which exceed your level, but due to the restriction always being written as a limit to how many power points you can spend, it seems to actually work by RAW.

[Falontani]

Q 4

The Undermountain Tactics feat enables the use of certain tactical maneuvers, described below. Stair King: To use this maneuver, you must gain the high ground bonus on your attacks against an opponent. If you hit your foe with two or more melee attacks during your turn, he must make a Balance check (DC 10 + your Str modifier) or be knocked prone. Your opponent can opt to succeed automatically on his Balance check. If he does so, he will lose his move action on his next turn, but he will Succeed automatically on Balance checks to resist this maneuver until the start of his next turn. Your opponent must make this choice before seeing the result of his Balance check. You can target a particular creature with this maneuver once per round.

If a creature already does not have a move action for some reason can they still forgo their next move action?

Q4.1 If a creature is slowed after taking this auto success, are they required to sacrifice their move action (and not take a standard action) on their turn?

[Venger]

A 4 Yes. They are not required to "spend" their move action on the next turn, like say, trying to break out of a hold person by taking a full round action, they just can't take their move action (if any) available on the next turn. If your opponent were paralyzed, for example, and had no purely mental move actions they could take, they would still be allowed to do this if they wanted to.

A 4.1 Just to make sure I understand correctly, the sequence of events is as follows:
1: you hit opponent with undermountain tactics and try to trip them
2: opponent chooses to auto-succeed, speaking for their move action next round
3: an ally of yours slows the opponent

In that scenario, since the opponent has a move action available to pay the piper, they would have to sacrifice it. They could not choose to take a standard instead, and say 'oops, no move action to sacrifice.' They would need to choose move and use it to pay the debt to undermountain tactics.

[St Fan]

Q 5

A Chameleon using his "floating feat" picks the Open Minded feat for the day. Can the bonus skill points be used to speak a new language?

[Venger]

A 5 Yes. ten characters

[Doctor Despair]

Q6.1

Many regional feats (e.g. Artist, Blooded, Cosmopolitan...) state that they can only be selected at level 1, and that you can only have 1 regional feat.

Others (Cover Your Tracks, Ankheg Tribe Ambush, etc... ) fo not list that special text, but are still regional feats.

Is the "only at level 1, only 1 per character" rule general to regional feats and just omitted from the offending feats, or does that limit only apply to feats that list the special text?

Q6.2

Faerie Mysteries Initiate has a regional requirement, but is listed as a general feat. Can you take this feat after level 1 as a general feat, or is it a regional feat by merit of having a regional requirement?

Q6.3

Specifically, FMI requires:


Region: Celene, gray elf, high elf, Lendore Isles, tallfellow halfling, Verbobonc, wild elf, wood elf. (Oerth)


Would a setting-neutral Changeling be able to take FMI if they also had Racial Emulation, or would they additionally have to be from Orth?

Q7

It is suggested as an adaptation to the Chameleon class that...


If you're using the EBERRON Campaign Setting, the chameleon prestige class should be available to changeling player characters as well as humans and doppelgangers. In this case, the Able Learner feat extends to changelings as well.

Does that mean, by RAW, that Changelings are eligible to take Able Learner/Chameleon in a setting-neutral campaign as long as ECS isn't banned (in the same sense that Changelings are eligible to take Wild Talent if psionics aren't banned)? Or is it DM fiat whether they are eligible?

Edit:

Q8

On a similar note, several books describe the effects of taint, one of which being that undead with low enough wisdom get up to two bonus feats by merit of their innate taint score. If the books with taint are not banned, are these RAW, or are they a variant/optional system like flaws?

[Khedrac]

A 6.1 Look at the rules for each feat and which book it is in - different books have different rules.

A6.3 Ask your DM - the feat is from Dragon Magazine so is not automatically available anywhere.

A7 No - it means that in Eberron Changelings can do this, outside of Eberron ask your DM.

[Venger]

A 6.2 Regional feats can be taken at any time unless otherwise specified in the rules text. There is no general rule that regional feats must be taken at level 1.
A 8 Yes.

[Doctor Despair]

A 8 Yes.

That's on me for using the inclusive "or", haha. Yes, the bonus feats are RAW if the books are used, not variant?

[Venger]

They are an optional variant.

[Doctor Despair]

Q9.1

The SRD contains this information on humanoid hitdie:


Humanoids with 1 Hit Die exchange the features of their humanoid Hit Die for the class features of a PC or NPC class. Humanoids of this sort are presented as 1st-level warriors, which means that they have average combat ability and poor saving throws.

As such, can a humanoid character "begin" with a humanoid hitdie, with the commensurate feat/skill points, then exchange it with a class level, as described here, adjusting their stats as necessary?

Q9.2

Specifically, I'm looking at Changelings using Racial Emulation to qualify for a racial paragon class. Technically, they don't have the feat until AFTER they take their first level, but if a Changeling began as a level 1 humanoid and took the Racial Emulation feat, would they be able to then exchange the humanoid hitdie with a racial paragon class (using the feat to qualify)?

[Venger]

A 9.1 Yes, that is correct
A 9.2 You are allowed to do this.

[Doctor Despair]

Q10

A Changeling takes a humanoid hitdie and takes Racial Emulation. Then, using Racial Emulation to qualify, they exchange their racial hitdie for a level in Half-Elf Paragon. Half-Elf Paragon grants a bonus feat at level 1.

Will a Changeling be able to use Racial Emulation to qualify for Able Learner with that bonus feat? I'm not sure if there would be "time" to emulate a human between selecting the class and gaining the class features.

[Venger]

A 10 Yes, you would be able to do that.

[madangrypally]

Q11: Can Feats/Features that reduces/removes the cost of Meta-Magic but used even for high level spells like the level 9 spell Shapechange (persistence for example with Divine Metamagic or casting it from a staff with feature from Artificer).

[Venger]

A 11 You need to spend a spell level that exists when casting a spell that is modified by a metamagic feat. For example, if you cast a fell frighten (+1) fireball (3), without any coupons, you spend a slot of 3+1 = 4, a 4th level slot.

When using metamagic cost reducers, you must ultimately end up with a spell slot level that exists, you have access to, and you have an unexpended one available.

Even when using epic spellcasting, the highest possible spell level that exists is 10. You cannot have a slot of level 11 or higher, so without any cost reduction, you cannot have a persistent shapechange or other 9th level spell.

That said, if you got the cost down somehow (likely by taking arcane thesis with the 9th in question and throwing on a bunch of +1 metamagic, as is standard) to cast it as a 9th level spell, then you would of course be allowed to do this kind of thing.

[St Fan]

A 10 complement

Please note that Able Learner, being a feat normally open to Humans and Doppelgangers, is already suggested to be accessible to Changelings in the description of the Chameleon prestige class, without any need for Racial Emulation.

[Kayblis]

A 11 Small correction

You can have slots of 10th level and above in epic, through the Improved Spell Capacity feat. You have to pick the feat once for each spell level above 9th, but how high you can go is only limited by your available feat slots, or your feat generation method of choice. It's entirely possible to have a 30th level slot for the purpose of metamagics, by taking the feat in question 21 times. You also gain bonus slots for a high ability score as usual.

[Doctor Despair]

I was concerned about foiling Detect Good spoiling otherwise good disguises (as it can be problematic to register as the wrong alignment when disguised or, equally suspiciously, registering with no alignment at all). With that said, I came upon the following PrC.

Master of Masks (Complete Scoundrel) grants the following ability:

You gain the ability to craft potent magical masks, each of which allows you to take on a different persona and gain some aspect of that creature or archetypal character. At 1st level, you learn to create and use two masks selected from those described below. At 2nd level, and at every odd-numbered level thereafter, you can create and use one more mask from the list.

Creating a new persona mask requires 8 hours of work and costs 100 gp. You can use only persona masks that you have crafted. No one else (not even another master of masks) can benefit from a persona mask that you create.

To gain the benefit of a mask, you merely wear it. Putting on a mask is a standard action, and removing one is a move action. Once it is worn, the mask's benefit immediately applies. Your master of masks level is your caster level for any spell-like abilities produced by a mask. In addition to its other benefits, a mask conceals your alignment, replacing it (for the purpose of detection spells or abilities) with an alignment appropriate to the mask. You still retain your normal alignment for all other purposes (such as if a paladin uses smite evil against you). One or more persona masks can be worn at the same time, occupying the eye lenses/goggles body slot.

With that said, that prompted a question for me, as wearing a mask when disguised as a non-mask-wearing-character might raise some eyebrows...

Q 12.1

These masks are listed as occupying the eye lenses/goggles slot. Was this errata'd to be the face slot somewhere, or is this a unique slot so as not to interfere with other item use?

Q 12.2

There are rules for disguising objects (Rules Compendium p.126 & Races of Destiny p.147), but they are limited to changing the apparent size and weight of the object by 10%. Problematically, there are no listed sizes or weights for these masks. With that said, these masks occupy the eye glasses/goggles (maybe face?) slot, so they are presumably rather small. To what extent can we hide one such mask by RAW as part of our disguise check? Can we, for example, make it look like a pair of eyeglasses? A headband? A diadem or crown? Part of some other headgear?

Q 12.3

To what extent can a disguise check just conceal a piece of equipment rather than change its appearance? With use of the disguise skill, could you hide a mask under a hat or bandana, or hair?

Q 12.4

Suppose a character were to cast Cloak of Khyber (last updated, to the best of my knowledge, in the City of Stormreach) on themselves in addition to wearing a mask from this source. Both effects conceal the character's alignment; however, the mask proceeds to replace it, for the purposes of detection abilities, with a false alignment. Which would take precedence? Does it depend on the order you apply them, or would one trump the other regardless of the order?

Edit: Q 12.5

Suppose a character with the Mask of Gentility feat were to put on one of these masks. Would the mask take precedence upon being put on, or would the feat?

Q 12.6

Likewise, a character with Mask of Gentility casts Cloak of Khyber; do they register as neutral as per the feat, even though their real alignment is concealed by the Cloak?

Q 13

On a tangential point, what would be the net effect of using Cloak of Khyber while wearing a ring of misdirection? As before, does it matter the order you put them on, or does one trump the other?

[Venger]

A 12.1 They go on the face slot. This is where you wear goggles, lenses, masks, spectacles, and third eyes. The terms are often used interchangeably.

A 12.2 You can glance through the mic to see the weights for various masks. They typically weigh 1lb or less. You can intuit they are the size of your face depending on art and description (if they're a full mask, domino, etc)

The normal solution to this problem is to just layer a magical disguise over your masks, such as through a hat of disguise, an inexpensive item that any character built around disguise should have. This will entirely cover the mask should you so choose.

A 12.3 No. To benefit from a magic item, you must wear it on that body slot, but again, this is obviated by supplementing your disguise skill with magic.

A 12.4 Cloak of khyber conceals your alignment from spellcasting. That's true whether you cast it before or after putting on the persona mask, so regardless of what alignment the mask broadcasts, it cannot be detected through divination magic.

A 12.5 It depends on the specific method enemies use to scent your alignment. Mask of gentility protects you from spells and sense motive, so it would take precedence there, automatically activating before they could scent your mask. If someone used something that was neither of these things, then mask of gentility would not activate, and it would detect whatever your mask told it to.

A 12.6 No. The cloak of khyber protects your alignment from being divined on at all.

A 13 As before, while cloak of khyber is up, your alignment cannot be divined on magically at all, so if observers were trying to directly detect your alignment with divination, cloak of khyber would stop it before your ring of misdirection had a chance to do anything.

[Doctor Despair]

Cloak of Khyber reads:

The rakshasa, masters of deception, have developed this spell to enhance their powers of disguise.

A cloak of Khyber conceals the caster’s alignment from any form of divination. More important, it shields a shapechanged or magically disguised creature from true seeing, causing the disguise to appear to be the caster’s true form. However, this power has one signifi cant restriction: The disguise must be maintained for 6 hours before the power of the cloak takes effect. As such, it is an extremely useful spell for a deep cover agent who rarely shifts his shape—but it is useless to a character casting a disguise self spell that only lasts for a few minutes.

Arcane Focus: A small Khyber dragonshard, worth 50 gp. If this object is ever taken more than 1 foot away from the subject, the spell immediately ends.

Misrepresent Alignment reads:

A misrepresent alignment spell conceals the true alignment of an object or creature from all forms of divination, rendering a misleading result determined by the caster. For example, a spellcaster could cast misrepresent alignment on a chaotic evil creature or magic item, making that creature or item appear to be lawful good (or any other alignment of the caster's choice) when subject to spells such as detect evil and detect good.

Moral Facade reads:

With an uttered incantation and a motion of your hand, you surround your target with a haze that prevents others from discerning its true nature.

By casting this spell, you cloak the target in an effect that gives a false alignment reading to all divination spells.
At the time of casting, you must designate the alignment that you wish the spell to reveal.

The Ring of Misdirection reads:

This plain silver band is nondescript and unadorned. The wearer is under a continuous misdirection effect, redirecting divination spells that reveal auras cast upon him. Such spells automatically target their caster rather than the ring's wearer.

Q 14.1

Suppose a character were to use Cloak of Khyber in conjunction with Misrepresent Alignment. Both effects conceal the alignment of the caster from all forms of divination. However, Misrepresent Alignment states it renders a misleading result. It seems like unlike the Master of Masks mask or Mask of Gentility, this spell doesn't replace your alignment; it seems like it conceals your alignment, and renders a misleading result as an effect of the spell. Would Cloak of Khyber hide the misleading result, too, or just the caster's alignment?

Q 14.2

Suppose a character were to use Cloak of Khyber in conjunction with Moral Facade. As Moral Facade explicitly doesn't change your alignment or how it registers, but instead shrouds the target in an effect that gives a false reading, would Cloak of Khyber still block this effect from being detected?

Q 14.3

Suppose a character had Misrepresent Alignment active while wearing a Ring of Misdirection. As the Misrepresent Alginment conceals the caster's alignment from divination, would a detect spell yield the false alignment or the caster's alignment?

Q 14.4

Suppose a character had Moral Facade active while wearing a Ring of Misdirection. As the Moral Facade cloaks the target with an effect that gives a false reading to divination, will a Detect spell yield the false reading or the caster's alignment?

__________________________________________________ ____

Edit:

Q 15

Detect Magic (along with its cousins Arcane Sight and Greater Arcane Sight) allow a caster to see aura for active spells. A spell like Cloak of Khyber should therefore register as a faint illusion aura, which is problematic considering Detect Magic and Arcane Sight can be permanencied.

Is there any way to hide the magical aura from an ongoing spell apart from encasing it in lead or something similar to block LoE?

It seems like all the standard means to hide auras target creatures or objects; I haven't seen anything that targets an aura. Would an aura be considered an object (and subject to Nystul's Magic Aura) as it is certainly not a creature? Or does a magic aura centered on a creature allow you to use something like Misdirection on the creature to conceal that magic aura?

[Venger]

A 14.1 Cloak of khyber prevents divination. Period.

A 14.2 Yes

A 14.3 If it were a divination spell that detected auras, misdirection (assuming the caster failed their save) would bounce the spell before it had a chance to activate misrepresent alignment. If it were some other kind of effect that bypassed misdirection, then it would activate misrepresent alignment normally.

A 14.4 Same as 14.3.

A 15 Yeah, nystul's magic aura exists for this purpose. If you cast it on yourself, you can use it to block the magic radiated by moral facade or whatever so it won't ping on detect magic if opponents fail their saves.

[Doctor Despair]

Q 15

Detect Magic (along with its cousins Arcane Sight and Greater Arcane Sight) allow a caster to see aura for active spells. A spell like Cloak of Khyber should therefore register as a faint illusion aura, which is problematic considering Detect Magic and Arcane Sight can be permanencied.

Is there any way to hide the magical aura from an ongoing spell apart from encasing it in lead or something similar to block LoE?

It seems like all the standard means to hide auras target creatures or objects; I haven't seen anything that targets an aura. Would an aura be considered an object (and subject to Nystul's Magic Aura) as it is certainly not a creature? Or does a magic aura centered on a creature allow you to use something like Misdirection on the creature to conceal that magic aura?




A 15 Yeah, nystul's magic aura exists for this purpose. If you cast it on yourself, you can use it to block the magic radiated by moral facade or whatever so it won't ping on detect magic if opponents fail their saves.

So just to clarify, an aura is an object, and Nystul's Magic Aura can therefore be used to target it to make it appear nonmagical (and not ping Detect Magic/Arcane Sight)? Magic Aura targets an object, not a creature, so it would have to target the aura for this to work.

[Venger]

clarification 15 I got mixed up because your questions are very complicated. Auras are not objects and can't be targeted by nystul's magic aura. To clarify, what I meant was you could target the object that you're spoofing alignment divinations to via ring of misdirection with nystul's magic aura so it wouldn't let enemies know that it had misdirection cast on it. Depending on your access to pao, you could also turn yourself into an object and have someone cast nystul's magic aura on you to cover up whatever you wanted and then either pao back or wait for it to wear off depending on duration of all your stuff.

[ApologyFestival]

Q 16: When a template states that it grants a special ability or bonus that is affected by the creatures Hit Dice, and the creature advances in level, are those values re-calculated for the creature's new Hit Dice total?

For example: A level 1 creature gains the phrenic template, which has the power resistance ability:


A phrenic creature has power resistance equal to its Hit Dice +10.
It later advances to level 2. Is its power resistance value 11, or 12?

[dragonsamurai77]

Q 17: When an 8 is rolled to determine the effect of Prismatic Spray, you are instructed to roll twice more, ignoring any 8s. Does this mean to reroll further 8s or just to not do anything for each 8 rolled?

[St Fan]

Q 16: When a template states that it grants a special ability or bonus that is affected by the creatures Hit Dice, and the creature advances in level, are those values re-calculated for the creature's new Hit Dice total?


A 16 Yes, any ability, whether from a template or not, that depends on hit dice is modified when the hit dice are changing. That's true from gaining levels or from losing them.

[ApologyFestival]

Q 17: Do the rules for rebuilding ability scores (Player's Handbook 2, p. 196) allow a character to rebuild their ability scores after applying racial, inherent, and other permanent ability score modifiers?

A sensible reading would be that a character should only be able to rebuild their base / rolled ability scores, before modifiers. But, this is a RAW question. There is no mention of removing the character's racial and miscellaneous ability modifiers before rebuilding. The tables also go as high as 30, which is an insanely high number for a base ability score to reach.

[Venger]

A 17 Reroll further 8s until you have two rolls from 1-7.
A 18 There is no mention of ignoring racial/template/inherent/etc boosts to scores and only using the rolled value, so you use your actual value for your ability score after all that permanent stuff, and ignore boosts from temporary stuff like equipment, spells, etc.

[madangrypally]

Q19 How does the Artificers 3rd level Infusion Metamagic Item work in terms of number of times used?

From SRD:

You temporarily apply a metamagic feat you know to a single spell contained within a spell trigger item. For the duration of this infusion, anyone who casts that spell from the item gains the benefit of that metamagic feat.

So will putting empower into a wand of magic missile only affect the first time I use a charge (if within infusion duration) or every time I cast magic missile with a charge during the Infusions duration as long as it is Magic Missile? I read it as only once but multiply places which mention blaster builds imply it is for entire duration as long as it is the same spell and im not sure if they are twisting the wording of if there is a RAW source that clarifies it.

[Gelcur]

Q20 Is there a +2 attack bonus associated with attacking someone who is climbing?

I ask because the feat Treetopper reads:

Normal: A climbing character loses his Dexterity bonus to
Armor Class while climbing, and an attacker gains a +2 bonus on
attack rolls made to hit him.
This is from Player's Guide to Faerun, p46. If this is in fact a rule, can someone point me to where the rule hides with page number or srd link. Thanks.

[Venger]

A 20 This is a rule from 3.0 which no longer exists. In 3.5, you lose your dex to ac while climbing and are unable to use shields, but attackers do not receive a +2 bonus to attack you. They also no longer receive the +2 bonus to attack you while you are using the balance skill walk while on a tightrope.

[H_H_F_F]

[b]Q 21[b]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but what book is considered the primary source on a deity's domains, favoured weapon, etcetera? That is, if they're described in multiple sources.

[Khedrac]

A 21 This isn't really a RAW question, and even then it really depends on the campaign world - i.e. the same deity can have different domains in different worlds (though usually only the non-human deities are common to "official" worlds).

That said, the usual answer seems to be "all of them" - i.e. if you can find an official source for a deity to have a given domain then it does, so a cleric can potentially have two domains neither of which are listed in the same book as the other for that deity. This partially comes from the way a lot of the generic setting expansion books (e.g. Stormwrack) work - when they add a new domain they simply list which deities have that domain rather than re-listing the deity's full domain portfolio.

I think technically RAW would exclude domains listed for the deity in a campaign-setting specific book for a different campaign setting (e.g. a FR book for Greyhawk).

[sreservoir]

A 19

Nothing in the text suggests that it should function only once. The duration is also listed as "1 round/level" with no "until discharged" (cf. spell storing item) or "see text" qualifications. The effect description says it applies for the duration of the infusion.

[Temotei]

Q 22

The healing hymn alternate class feature in Complete Champion on page 47 states in its second paragraph that you can use the ability for a minute before "retiring for the night" to heal you and your allies as if you had all rested for 24 hours. Does this healing apply immediately as long as you all start resting (in which case it should add on to the normal healing from resting), does the healing happen after the rest (but still add on to normal healing from resting), or does it happen after the rest and simply set its healing amount to 24 hours of rest, regardless of how long you rested?

[Venger]

A 22 It applies after you are done resting for the night, so as soon as you wake up. It explicitly stacks with normal hp gain from resting for the night.

[Dunsparce]

Q 23

What would be the 3.5 price for a magic item that grants a +1 Competence bonus to a single skill check with no other abilities in place.

[Venger]

A 23 100gp.

[Troacctid]

Q 23

What would be the 3.5 price for a magic item that grants a +1 Competence bonus to a single skill check with no other abilities in place.
Sounds like you're looking for the skill shard. MIC only has versions of it that grant +2 or +5, but the original printing in XPH includes a +1 option for only 10 gp (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/items/universalItems.htm#shards).

[Venger]

Those are consumable, though. A custom item following the generic rules could be used indefinitely.

[Troacctid]

Those are consumable, though. A custom item following the generic rules could be used indefinitely.
The question asked for one that works for a single skill check. That describes a skill shard to the T. Alternatively, a wand or scroll of guidance would do it.

Besides, if you want one that gives a +1 competence bonus to ALL skill checks for a particular skill with no other abilities, there isn't any item in the game that does that. Circumstance bonus, sure. Competence bonus, no such thing. You would have to homebrew an item, which takes us out of the bounds of simple RAW (the previous answer is an opinion, not RAW), or use something more expensive, like a +5 competence bonus, which will usually run you about 2500 gp, although not all skills have such an item.

[Heavenblade]

Q 24
When a prc requirments say "Alignment: must match that of a chosen deity", does it mean it has to be the same alignment, or just be within the regular 1-step like clerics etc?

[Venger]

A 24 It must be the same as the deity's.

[Shpadoinkle]

Q 25

If I have a suit of +2 Ghost Ward armor as well as a +2 Ghost Ward shield (Magic Item Compendium page 11, basically grants you the enhancement bonus on the armor, but not the items' "mundane" AC bonus to your touch AC,) would the total bonus from these to my touch AC be +2 (they're sort-of from the same source, which don't stack) or +4 (since they're from different pieces of equipment, like how body armor and shields both increase your AC)?

[Troacctid]

Q 25

If I have a suit of +2 Ghost Ward armor as well as a +2 Ghost Ward shield (Magic Item Compendium page 11, basically grants you the enhancement bonus on the armor, but not the items' "mundane" AC bonus to your touch AC,) would the total bonus from these to my touch AC be +2 (they're sort-of from the same source, which don't stack) or +4 (since they're from different pieces of equipment, like how body armor and shields both increase your AC)?
DM discretion. It seems like an inefficient way to boost your touch AC, though, if you don't mind my injecting an opinion. Compare the crystal of screening.

[Venger]

A 25 They're both enhancement, so do not stack. You would get +2 enhancement to your touch ac.

[Shpadoinkle]

A 25 They're both enhancement, so do not stack. You would get +2 enhancement to your touch ac.

Do you have a passage that supports this interpretation? Because it seems that by that logic, you shouldn't be able to receive the AC bonus to your base AC from both magic armor and a magic shield at the same time either.

[Khedrac]

A 25 +4 They Stack (err maybe - make that DM's call)

Q 25

If I have a suit of +2 Ghost Ward armor as well as a +2 Ghost Ward shield (Magic Item Compendium page 11, basically grants you the enhancement bonus on the armor, but not the items' "mundane" AC bonus to your touch AC,) would the total bonus from these to my touch AC be +2 (they're sort-of from the same source, which don't stack) or +4 (since they're from different pieces of equipment, like how body armor and shields both increase your AC)?

The items are admittedly badly worded. The enhancement bonus for a magic piece of armor or shield only ever effects the bonus that that armour or shield provides.
What the ghost ward property does is allow that portion of the item's armor (or shield) bonus to count to one's touch AC - the enhancement bonuses themselves cannot directly affect one's AC.
(I am told there is one official item where the author made the mistake of it giving an enhancement bonus to the user's AC - this item is a special case.)

So, in your example a +2 ghost ward chain shirt provides a +6 armor bonus to regular AC and a +2 armor bonus to touch AC; similarly a +2 ghost ward light shield provides a +3 shield bonus to regular AC and a +2 shield bonus to touch AC.

Edit: Hmm, re-reading the entry this may be that one item that provides an enhancement bonus to AC - the author clearly forgot how AC bonuses actually work:

A suit of armor or shield that has this property allows you to add its enhancement bonus (but not its armor or shield bonus) to your Armor Class against touch attacks (including incorporeal touch attacks).
This actually qualifies as a rules disfunction because the enhancement bonus in question is an armor or shield bonus once applied to the item and thus is barred from application by the text of Ghost Ward!

To a fair extent this is DM's call, and a DM could rules that the bonus being applies is an enhancement bonus and thus they won't stack, but now I re-read the ability it is just as much a DM's call as allowing them to stack. RAW the items don't work!

[Yael]

Q26. If a character uses the Death Devotion feat to imbue a dagger he is holding with negative energy, then throws it, would the effect still apply? As the feat requires to be holding a melee weapon, but the wording doesn't specify a melee attack, just an attack, and the power is bestowed into the dagger.

[Doctor Despair]

Q27

Fiends of Possession can possess objects:

A fiend of possession in ethereal form can possess an object on the Material Plane. The object must be at least Tiny and no larger than Huge. Magic items and attended items receive Will saving throws. Unattended nonmagical items are automatically possessed. A fiend of possession becomes part of the object it possesses, so it is no longer ethereal. The fiend is aware of what is going on around the object: It can see and hear up to 60 feet away as if using its normal senses (it does not gain blindsight). In any round in which it takes no other action (such as using a spell-like ability), it extends its senses to twice its normal range (120 feet).

The fiend is vulnerable to spells that specifically affect outsiders or creatures of the fiend's alignment (such as holy word and holy smite, as well as chaos hammer or order's wrath) and mind-affecting spells or effects, but it is unaffected by physical attacks or standard magical effects (such as fireball). Harming the object does not harm the fiend, although if the object is destroyed, the fiend is forced back into its ethereal form.

While possessing an object, a fiend of possession can use any ability it has that requires no physical action, such as using a spell-like ability or telepathy. It cannot cast spells (since it can neither speak nor move), attack physically, or perform any other physical action, until it reaches a high enough level to make the possessed object perform these tasks for it.

A Fiend of Possession takes one level of psion, taking the Nomad discipline and the Personal Space ACF:

You have an extradimensional storage pocket available.

Class: Nomad.

Level: 1st.

Replaces: The bonus feat at 1st level.

Benefit: You gain an extradimensional storage space within your body. You can access it as a psi-like ability by expending your psionic focus. You may send an item to it or retrieve an item as you wish. The size of the storage space grows with your own power. At 1st level it is equivalent to a belt pouch, at 5th level it equals a sack, at 10th level it is the size of a backpack, at 15th level it is the size of a chest, and at 20th level it is the size of a Medium creature.

You cannot store anything that has extradimensional properties, such as a bag of holding , within your personal space. Any attempt will fail.

Suppose the Fiend first possesses an object, then expends their psionic focus to send that item to their extradimensional space.

The Fiend is part of the item, so they should logically be transported or teleported if the object is teleported.

However, the extradimensional space is inside the Fiend's body. The fiend's body is part of the item.

The possession ability has provisions for ejecting the fiend if the object is destroyed, but not if it is transported.

What would happen?

[Venger]

A 26 Yes.

A 27 Nothing.

[Gelcur]

Q28 Can a Tiny creature or smaller, with a reach of 0, use the charge special attack?

Since the charger needs to end its move in the space containing the enemy does the the charger not meet the charge attacks requirements.

[Venger]

A 28 Yes, but they provoke an aoo when they enter the enemy's square.

[MaienM]

Q29: Constructs are immune to "necromantic effects". Am I correct in reading this as "any effect that comes from a spell from the necromancy school" or is there some other definition of what constitutes a necromantic effect?

[St Fan]

Q 30

The Sun School's Flash of Sunset maneuver is stated as such (emphasis mine):



Flash of Sunset: To use this maneuver, you must move adjacent to a foe instantaneously, as with a dimension door spell or the monk's abundant step class feature. If you do so, you can immediately make a single attack at your highest attack bonus against that foe.


This specification of "a single attack" makes me think this limits the possible combinations with other techniques. (Especially if the instant move is a dimension door, which severely limits actions too).

A) The attack, I guess, can be a trip attack, but can someone with Improved Trip that succeeds in tripping the foe follow up with the free attack granted by the feat?

B) Since Flash of Sunset's attack is part of whatever action (standard, move or even swift) initiating the instant displacement, can the attack be a strike maneuver (which usually requires a standard action of its own)?

C) Can someone with the Snap Kick feat use this additional attack alongside the one granted by Flash of Sunset?

D) If the Flash of Sunset attack downs a foe, can someone with the Cleave feat (that hadn't been used yet this round) hit another adjacent foe?

E) If you're doing the instant move as your standard action (or as a move action, but your standard action is used for something else than attacking), then can you apply the Combat Expertise feat to the attack granted by Flash of Sunset for the dodge bonuses? I'm asking because, technically, you can be considered not actually using the attack action or full-attack action this round...

[Venger]

A 29 Yes. It also affects spell-like abilities that mimic those spells and any supernatural abilities that specify they are necromantic effects.

A 30a Yes, yes.
A 30b If you have the action required to initiate a maneuver, yes, otherwise, no.
A 30c Yes.
A 30d Yes.
A 30e No.

[Doctor Despair]

Q31a

If you do the wight thing and dispense with a racial hitdie for a Kaorti (Fiend Folio 108), exchanging the remaining HD into your first class level, what would be the effective end-result for this LA+2 race?

Based on the Monsters and Class Levels section, I'd think you'd lose any BAB, saves, racial skill points, or feats granted by the HD, but retain the natural armor, natural weapon, SLAs, SU abilities, Ex abilities, and skill bonus, making Kaorti essentially read:

Attributes:

Size/Type: Medium Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar)
Base speed: Land 30

Strength: -4
Intelligence: +4
Dexterity: +4
Wisdom: -
Constitution: -
Charisma: +6

Level Adjustment: +2

Space: 5 ft.
Reach: 5 ft.

Automatic languages: Kaorti.
Bonus languages: Common, Sylvan.

Racial Traits:

Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day--alter self, color spray, feather fall, ray of enfeeblement, reduce, spider climb. Caster level 2nd; save DC 14 + spell level.

Vile Transformation (Su): A kaorti can infuse any living creature with otherwordly essence from the Far Realm, permanently transforming the target into a mockery of its previous form. This process takes 8 hours, during which time the kaorti's jaws must be locked onto the victim, who must either be willing or helpless for the duration. After 8 hours, the victim must make a Fortitude save (DC 11). Failure indicates that the victim transforms into a kaorti (if the victim was a humanoid), or into a kaorti thrall. If the victim succeeds at at the save, the kaorti can attempt the transformation again; each additional attempt to transform a victim increases the save DC by +1.

Creatures transformed into kaortis retain any class abilities and modify their ability scores as follows: Str -4, Dex +4, Int +4, Cha +6. They become neutral evil and embrace the racial ethos of the kaortis. They gain all of the other abilities and disadvantages of a standard kaorti. This transformation is the only way the kaorti can propagate their kind.

A victim transformed into a kaorti thrall gains the fiendish creature template, except that instead of gaining the smite good special attack, it gains the ability to cast true strike on itself once per day.

Material Vulnerability (Ex): The Material Plane is painful to an unprotected kaorti. An unprotected kaorti must make a Fortitude save each hour (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or take 1d6 points of subdual damage and become fatigued. The fatigued condition persists until the kaorti recovers all the subdual damage it took from its exposure to the Material Plane. If a kaorti is rendered unconscious through the accumulation of subdual damage (from this ability or from any other source), the Material Plane environs begin to deal normal damage at the same rate (Fort save negates; save DC continues to increase per check as stated above). A kaorti wearing a resin suit, or a kaorti inside a cyst, is protected from the effects of the Material Plane.

Skills: Kaortis have a +8 racial bonus on Heal checks.

Kaortis possess darkvision out to 60 feet.

As an extraplanar outsider, Kaortis require limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection to restore it to life.

Kaortis are proficient with all simple weapons and martial weapons.

Kaortis are proficient with all light armor and shields.

Kaortis breathe, but do not need to eat or sleep (although they can do so if they wish).

Does this stat block seem accurate?

Q31b

If a Kaorti is created from a creature on the PMP, would it be considered native?

[Troacctid]

Q31a

If you do the wight thing and dispense with both racial hitdie for a Kaorti (Fiend Folio 108), what would be the effect end-result for this LA+2 race?
The end result would be a dead kaorti. If all your hit dice are drained, you die.


Q31b

If a Kaorti is created from a creature on the PMP, would it be considered native?
No, the transformation changes the creature's native plane.

[Doctor Despair]

The end result would be a dead kaorti. If all your hit dice are drained, you die.


If you drain 1HD, you can retrain the remaining single HD into a class level. Sorry, I should have specified; I thought that was the standard process referred to as "the wight thing" on this forum. I've edited the question accordingly.

[Venger]

Yes, you have accurately listed the things you would keep and lose if you kept one hd to replace with a class level.

[St Fan]

Q 32

About coup de grâce...

A) Can you use a strike maneuver as a coup de grâce? I see problems with it since not only a is coup de grâce a full-round action while most strikes are standard action, but also the rules for strikes include this:

"In addition you cannot combine special attacks such as sunder and bull rushes with strikes, even if you have feats that make such special attacks more potent."

Does a coup de grâce count as a "special attack" for strikes?

B) A precedent question answered that Power Attack could be used with a coup de grâce, the to-hit malus becoming irrelevant since a coup de grâce automatically hits. However, can you use Combat Expertise alongside a coup de grâce to likewise get the maximum bonus for the rest of the round?

C) If the answer to B is yes, does the dodge bonus from Combat Expertise already concern any attack of opportunity made by foes against the character performing the coup de grâce?

[Troacctid]

Q 32

About coup de grâce...

A) Can you use a strike maneuver as a coup de grâce?
No.


B) A precedent question answered that Power Attack could be used with a coup de grâce, the to-hit malus becoming irrelevant since a coup de grâce automatically hits. However, can you use Combat Expertise alongside a coup de grâce to likewise get the maximum bonus for the rest of the round?
No, it's not an attack or full attack action.

[ApologyFestival]

Q 33
What traits does a warforged have, if it is allowed to take the Human Heritage feat? Pretend, if you have to, that it's some kind of cyborg: half-human, half-robot.


If you are not a humanoid, your type changes to humanoid and you gain the human subtype[...] and you retain any traits common to all creatures of your original type (such as darkvision).
So, this warforged is a humanoid with the living construct subtype, who has traits common to all constructs.

Does this warforged have humanoid traits? Construct traits? Living construct traits? Some combination of each of them?

[Troacctid]

Q 33
What traits does a warforged have, if it is allowed to take the Human Heritage feat? Pretend, if you have to, that it's some kind of cyborg: half-human, half-robot.


So, this warforged is a humanoid with the living construct subtype, who has traits common to all constructs.

Does this warforged have humanoid traits? Construct traits? Living construct traits? Some combination of each of them?
A half-human, half-warforged cyborg, by RAW, would have to be a 10th-level renegade mastermaker, since as far as I'm aware, that's the only method in the rules by which you might achieve such a thing. So, assuming that's the case, Human Heritage's type change occurs when you take the feat and can be overridden by later type changes normally, which means the renegade mastermaker would become a living construct with all living construct traits as normal upon reaching level 10, and would count as both human and warforged for prerequisites.

If you're talking about starting as a warforged and somehow gaining the Human Heritage feat, then the feat would have no effect, as you do not meet the prerequisites and therefore cannot gain the benefits.

[unseenmage]

A half-human, half-warforged cyborg, by RAW, would have to be a 10th-level renegade mastermaker, since as far as I'm aware, that's the only method in the rules by which you might achieve such a thing. So, assuming that's the case, Human Heritage's type change occurs when you take the feat and can be overridden by later type changes normally, which means the renegade mastermaker would become a living construct with all living construct traits as normal upon reaching level 10, and would count as both human and warforged for prerequisites.

If you're talking about starting as a warforged and somehow gaining the Human Heritage feat, then the feat would have no effect, as you do not meet the prerequisites and therefore cannot gain the benefits.

There's also the Half-Machine (Dungeon #91 pg106) template for but requires magazine content.

[blackwindbears]

Q34: Does Protection from Evil protect against Power Word: Stun as it's an Enchantment: Compulsion effect?

[Troacctid]

Q34: Does Protection from Evil protect against Power Word: Stun as it's an Enchantment: Compulsion effect?
No, it only protects against effects that grant the caster ongoing mental control over the subject. You're not under their control while you're stunned.

[St Fan]

Q 35

I just noticed an easy-to-forget little rule about the Charge special attack:

"Even if you have extra attacks, such as from having a high enough base attack bonus or from using multiple weapons, you only get to make one attack during a charge."

The mention "such as" usually mean "including, but not limited to", so...

A) Does one cannot use the Snap Kick feat alongside a charge?

B) Does one cannot use the Cleave feat on another opponent if the charged one is downed?

[H_H_F_F]

Q 36

Can creatures with no Int score have class levels?

[Venger]

A 35 Both of those things take place after the charge is completed, so you are able to do snap kick and/or cleave at the end of a charge if you meet their respective conditions.

A 36 No. No skills or feats either.

[Arkhios]

Q 37 Mithral armor and proficiency.

I remember seeing/hearing a debate on this particular matter in the first years of Core Pathfinder 1e, that in 3.5 you didn't need proficiency in armor's normal category, if you had proficiency in the category where the armor is when made of mithral. That is, in particular, if a character with proficiency in up to medium armor got their hands on mithral full plate, they could use it without proficiency related problems. Is this correct?

FWIW/to compare, in Pathfinder it's spelled clearly that you do need proficiency in the armor's normal category, even if mithral made it lower.

[Venger]

A 37 If you have medium armor proficiency, you can wear a set of mithral full plate without penalty.

[Thurbane]

Q 038

I'm sure there is a 3.5 citation somewhere that racial bonuses stack, but I can't find it despite searching.

[edit] Found the citation: second part of my question below stands.


With the exception of dodge bonuses, most circumstance bonuses, and racial bonuses, only the better bonus works (see Combining Magical Effects, below).

Was it later overruled in Rules Compendium or elsewhere?

[Duke of Urrel]

Q 038

I'm sure there is a 3.5 citation somewhere that racial bonuses stack, but I can't find it despite searching.

[edit] Found the citation: second part of my question below stands.

Was it later overruled in Rules Compendium or elsewhere?

A 38

Ask your dungeon master.

I looked up the relevant page in the Rules Compendium: page 21. This page doesn't explicitly overrule the Player's Handbook, but it does indeed omit racial bonuses from its short list of exceptions. The Rules Compendium states that bonuses of the same type don’t stack "except for dodge bonuses and some circumstance bonuses."

The question is what to make of this omission.

Intriguingly, the Dungeon Master's Guide makes the same omission as the Rules Compendium, but with a loophole. This happens on page 21.


Different named bonus types all stack, but usually a named bonus does not stack with another bonus of the same name, except for dodge bonuses and some circumstance bonuses.

As in the Rules Compendium, racial bonuses are not listed here as an exception to the general rule. However, this sentence does include the intriguing word "usually," which the text of the Rules Compendium lacks.

Moreover, we might also look at the Monster Manual for guidance, since the question of whether we can or cannot stack racial bonuses arises when we add templates to a creature, so that a creature effectively belongs to more than one race. And this is what the Monster Manual tells us (on page 293) to do when we add a template.


Add any skill bonuses given by the template.

Notice that we are not limited to racial skill bonuses here. The Monster Manual instructs us to add any skill check bonuses, whether they are "racial" or not.

I don't have the time to check to see how consistently or inconsistently the Monster Manual identifies various bonuses as "racial" or not. I am also not going to try to answer the question of whether two racial bonuses from two different races really qualify as belonging to the same type or not. Suffice it to say that there are interpretive challenges here.

Depending on how you weigh the authority of the Player's Handbook and the Monster Manual against the authority of the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Rules Compendium, and depending on how strictly we interpret an omission and how much freedom we grant ourselves with the word "usually," I think we can answer question Q 38 in different ways.

So: Ask your dungeon master.

[Blue Jay]

Q 038

A 38 Addendum

From my perspective, the organization of the rules is as much a part of RAW as the actual rules text: like, there's an inherent hierarchy built into the rules. In this case, the general rule for bonus-stacking is written in the DMG section called "Bonus Types"; but then it's contradicted by the quote you provided, which is a line in the PHB chapter on Magic, in a section called "Casting Spells," in a subsection called "Special Spell Effects." The inherent organizational hierarchy of the rules should tell us that the general section on "Bonus Types" is authoritative, while the line from the subsection of the rules for casting spells applies only in the context of bonus types granted by spells.

So, by RAW, only racial bonuses granted by spells stack with other racial bonuses, and racial bonuses from non-spell sources do not stack. But, I don't think racial bonuses are a thing that spells grant very often (ever?), so I feel like the line about racial bonuses stacking is essentially impotent.

[Jopustopin]

Q 39.

A rogue with a wisdom of 10 wants to use a scroll of cure light wounds. Is it the case that he would have to make literally three and possibly four UMD checks to activate it?

Activating a Scroll (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/scrolls.htm)

1. DC 21 to emulate the divine spellcasting feature of a cleric.
2. DC 21 to fake having cure light wounds on his fake clerical spellcasting list
3. DC 26 to fake having a wisdom of 11

and then once activated, since they have a caster level of zero and need a caster level of 1 they would need to make a caster level check.

4. Either 1d20+0 vs DC 2 or 1d20+(UMD-20) vs DC 2

[KillianHawkeye]

A 39

Not quite.

Here's what the Use Magic Device skill (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/useMagicDevice.htm) has to say about using a scroll:

Use a Scroll

If you are casting a spell from a scroll, you have to decipher it first. Normally, to cast a spell from a scroll, you must have the scroll’s spell on your class spell list. Use Magic Device allows you to use a scroll as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. The DC is equal to 20 + the caster level of the spell you are trying to cast from the scroll. In addition, casting a spell from a scroll requires a minimum score (10 + spell level) in the appropriate ability. If you don’t have a sufficient score in that ability, you must emulate the ability score with a separate Use Magic Device check (see above).

So the three checks you must make are:
Dechipher a written spell (DC 25 + spell level = 26)
Emulate an ability score (result is UMD check - 15 = 26 again for a score of 11)
Use a scroll (DC 20 + caster level = 21)

Essentially, the UMD check to use the scroll includes faking the required caster level.

[blackwindbears]

Q 40: Telekinetic thrust says:

, as long as all are within the power’s range and each is no more than 10 feet away from another one.

Does this mean each target must be within 10 feet of each other target, or that each target must be within 10 feet of at least one other target.


X - 10 ft - X - 10 ft - X

In other words, can it target all three X's here?

[Troacctid]

Q 40: Telekinetic thrust says:


Does this mean each target must be within 10 feet of each other target, or that each target must be within 10 feet of at least one other target.
It's the latter. The standard wording that would be used in the former case is "No two of which can be more than 10 feet apart," which you can see in other effects like energy missile and haste.

[Thurbane]

Q 041

Is there an Electricity subtype in 3.5? Came across a creature entry in a 3rd party book, and a creature had Electricity listed as a subtype. I can't recall ever seeing an official creature with this subtype.

[Venger]

A 41 No. ten characters

[Doctor Despair]

Q42

Unless there's an int requirement listed as a prerequisite, is there anything preventing a 2-int animal that gained a bunch of HD from taking any feat, providing they meet the prerequisites?

[Venger]

A 42 No. ten characters

[St Fan]

Q 43

A creature is trapped in an amber sarcophagus (Book of Exalted Deeds spell), which holds it in stasis.

Is that creature was summoned and the summon expires, does it still disappear from the current plane despite being locked in time?

[Venger]

A 43 Yes. ten characters

[Eladrinblade]

Q 44
Does a dead fighter turned into a zombie retain its weapon and armor proficiencies?

[Venger]

A 44 No. Zombies lose class levels, so you lose fighter's weapon/armor proficiencies, and change type to undead so you get those proficiencies (all natural weapons, and all simple weapons.)

[St Fan]

Q 45

A character with the Robilar's Gambit feat first uses his move action to cross several opponents' threatened areas, provoking attack of opportunities in doing so and retaliating for each swing.

He ends his movement next to another enemy, and then uses his standard action for an attack (maybe a strike maneuver). If he also uses Snap Kick alongside this attack, both suffer a -2 to hit penalty (as well as any other attack of opportunities made till the next turn).

However, despite Snap Kick saying "You take a -2 penalty on all attack rolls you make this round.", this penalty doesn't concern the attacks of opportunity made before the standard action, because the decision of using the Snap Kick wasn't made yet, I am right?

(Nor the fact that you made attacks without the -2 penalty prevents you from using the Snap Kick afterward, correct?)

[Thurbane]

Q 046

Looking for a feat: is there a feat that adds the evil descriptor to your spells? Specifically, not Corrupt Spell or Violate Spell, which must be applied to a single spell only (chosen when the feat is selected), but a feat that can be applied to any spell?

I thought I remembered such a feat, but I may have been getting confused about how Corrupt Spell or Violate Spell work...

[Troacctid]

Q 046

Looking for a feat: is there a feat that adds the evil descriptor to your spells? Specifically, not Corrupt Spell or Violate Spell, which must be applied to a single spell only (chosen when the feat is selected), but a feat that can be applied to any spell?

I thought I remembered such a feat, but I may have been getting confused about how Corrupt Spell or Violate Spell work...
Corrupt Spell works just fine for this.

[Thurbane]

Corrupt Spell works just fine for this.

Q 046a

Was Corrupt Spell ever errata'd to not only apply to one specific spell?


Special: A character may take this feat multiple times, choosing a different spell each time.

[Saint-Just]

Q047

Looking for true dragons with Alternate Shape except Bronze, Gold, Silver and Lung. With the name of the source, if possible. 3.0 is allowed.

[St Fan]

Q 046

Looking for a feat: is there a feat that adds the evil descriptor to your spells? Specifically, not Corrupt Spell or Violate Spell, which must be applied to a single spell only (chosen when the feat is selected), but a feat that can be applied to any spell?

I thought I remembered such a feat, but I may have been getting confused about how Corrupt Spell or Violate Spell work...

A 46

Not a feat, but the Aligned Spellcaster ACF (http://srd.dndtools.org/srd/classes/baseCore/wizard.html#aligned-spellcaster) from Dragon Magazine #357 can allow an evil wizard, sorcerer or hexblade to add the Evil descriptor to all non-Good spells cast.

The Planar Wizard (http://srd.dndtools.org/srd/classes/baseCore/wizard.html#planar-wizard) substitution level for 10th level can also do the same thing, this time regardless of the caster's alignment.

Touch of the Blackened Soul is a spell that can also gives the Evil descriptor to other spells of low level.


Q 046a

Was Corrupt Spell ever errata'd to not only apply to one specific spell?

A 46a

Yes, the Complete Divine version doesn't have the limitation you mentioned from Book of Vile Darkness. It works like any other metamagic feat (+1 level to the spell cast).

[Thurbane]

Q 048 sorry to spam questions

Question about the Sand Shaper Desert Insight class feature. It doesn't seem to have a disclaimer about it only applying to one class.

If you were, say, a Dusklade 7/Divine Crusader 1/Sand Shaper 1 - would the spells from Desert Insight be added to both your Duskblade spells known and Divine Crusader spells that you can memorize?

[Venger]

A 45 Your understanding of the interaction of these rules is correct.
A 47 Those are all the first party 3.x dragons with alternate form.
A 48 Yes.

[Kaleph]

Interaction between Arcane fusion and metamagic spells (in particular fell frighten).

Q 49a
Fell frighten applies to spells that deal damage; can I apply it to arcane fusion (assuming at least one of the two spells I cast through it deals damage)? The CMag errata are somehow confusing...

Q 49b
Let's suppose I cast, through a fell frighten arcane fusion, magic missile and wings of flurry; does an enemy being damaged by both spells suffer the shacken condition once or twice (thus escalating to frightened)? Note: fell frighten is applied once onto arcane fusion, and not individually onto magic missile and wings of flurry (which would require 2 metamagic discounts to work).

[ciopo]

Q50
Some spells have an area described as "One N-ft. square/level"

is this "for each caster level, make a square with a side of N feet", or is it "make one square, with a side of N*level feet"

[sreservoir]

A 50

It's one square per caster level, and the squares have sides of N feet. The latter would not be expressed this way in English, but something more along the lines of "5 ft./level square".

[ApologyFestival]

Q 51
Also looking for a feat! Or similar! Is there a way to bypass alignment requirements on classes?

[Troacctid]

Q047

Looking for true dragons with Alternate Shape except Bronze, Gold, Silver and Lung. With the name of the source, if possible. 3.0 is allowed.
Mercury and steel dragons (Dragons of Faerun) both have the alternate form ability, as do song dragons (Monsters of Faerun); adamantine, arboreal, and beast dragons (Dragon #321); and iron dragons (Dragon #356). Deep dragons (Drow of the Underdark) have change shape rather than alternate form, but of course the two are very similar. Any true dragon can gain the ability, of course, with the feat of the same name in Dragons of Eberron.


Q 51
Also looking for a feat! Or similar! Is there a way to bypass alignment requirements on classes?
You'd have to be more specific. Some classes, yes, other classes, no.


Interaction between Arcane fusion and metamagic spells (in particular fell frighten).

Q 49a
Fell frighten applies to spells that deal damage; can I apply it to arcane fusion (assuming at least one of the two spells I cast through it deals damage)? The CMag errata are somehow confusing...
Arcane fusion is a personal spell: it only targets you. There's nothing stopping you from applying Fell Frighten to it, but it wouldn't do anything, since what the spell does is allow you to cast two other spells. It would be like using metamagic on Rary's mnemonic enhancer.

[H_H_F_F]

Q 52

Does a maneuver's flat damage bonus (like war leader's charge) ever get doubled? On a crit, a lance charge, etc?

Q 53

Is a maneuver's extra damage of the same type as the basic weapon damage? Can it deal non-lethal damage?

[Kaleph]

Arcane fusion is a personal spell: it only targets you. There's nothing stopping you from applying Fell Frighten to it, but it wouldn't do anything, since what the spell does is allow you to cast two other spells. It would be like using metamagic on Rary's mnemonic enhancer.

Thank you; it makes definitely sense!

[YellowJohn]

Q 52

Does a maneuver's flat damage bonus (like war leader's charge) ever get doubled? On a crit, a lance charge, etc?

Q 53

Is a maneuver's extra damage of the same type as the basic weapon damage? Can it deal non-lethal damage?

A 52
It depends.



A critical hit means that you roll your damage more than once, with all your usual bonuses, and add the rolls together. Unless otherwise specified, the threat range for a critical hit on an attack roll is 20, and the multiplier is ×2.

Exception: Extra damage dice over and above a weapon’s normal damage is not multiplied when you score a critical hit.

So if the maneuver deals a static amount of damage, it multiplies. If it adds dice, it doesn't.

A53
Yes and Yes.

[YellowJohn]

Q54
Some dragons can cast cleric spells as arcane spells. Can such a dragon cast a cleric spell from a wand?

[YellowJohn]

Q55
Wands are limited to Fourth level spells.
Assuming Sanctum Spell shenanigans won't fly, is there a way to get the spell 'Righteous Might' into a wand?

[Troacctid]

Q55
Wands are limited to Fourth level spells.
Assuming Sanctum Spell shenanigans won't fly, is there a way to get the spell 'Righteous Might' into a wand?
The easiest way would be to use a staff instead of a wand, since they can hold spells up to 9th level. The price is the same. Of course if you specifically need it to be a wand to work with some wand-specific effect, that's not a great solution.

[Venger]

A 54 Yes. ten characters

[DVtrex $]

Q56 If I'm currently in a grapple where I've already succeeded on my initial grab and am now holding on to my opponent, what happens if i get dazed before my next turn? Do I automatically let go? Do I get to roll an opposed grapple check on their turn when they try to break free?

[Khedrac]

A56 No, you don't automatically let go and yes you do get to roll a grapple check when they try to break free.

[Thurbane]

Q 057

Question about Archivists and wands.


An archivist casts divine spells, drawn primarily from the cleric spell list although he can eventually uncover, learn, and prepare noncleric divine spells spells.


I assume this means an Archivist can use a wand of any Cleric spell without needing UMD. How about other divine spells (Druid etc.)?

Or does it depend on whether the spell is in his prayer book or not, for non-Cleric spells?

[YellowJohn]

Q58

If I cast a Heroics spell (Spell Compendium 113), and share it with my familiar, do we both end up with the same bonus feat, or can I select a different feat for each of us?


Q59

Can I stack multiple castings of Heroics on myself to get multiple bonus feats?

[sreservoir]

A 57

The archivist class spell list must be all divine spells, but this is not directly stated anywhere. Rather, we have to infer it from the following facts:

The archivist's Prayerbook feature refers to PH 178 Adding Spells to a Wizard’s Spellbook.
Per the archivist's Spellcasting features, the spells in an archivist's prayerbook are "copied divine spells".
Per RC 160, "The spell to be copied must be on the copier’s class spell list."

Thus, every spell an archivist can copy must already be on the archivist class spell list, which working backwards, implies that the archivist can use spell trigger items with the without UMD.

Note that the RC rule is required for this interpretation; without the archivist's class spell list is probably either nonexistent, just the cleric spell list (cf. sorcerer), or the sor/wiz spell list.

A 58

It's not super clear, but evidence suggests that you make different decisions for each recipient of a shared spell based on some example text in the Alter Self spell description:

You assume the form of a creature of the same type as your normal form (such as humanoid or magical beast).
Since magical beast is probably not your second top choice example for what type a spellcaster is likely to be, it seems pretty likely that it's intended to reflect the possibility of sharing alter self with your familiar.
(This is one of those infamous important clarifying examples deleted for the SRD.)

A 59

This is a hotly (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?621484-whats-a-good-feat-from-heroics-other-than-power-attack-and-martial-study) debated (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?621639-Multiple-spells-with-differing-effects) topic, again mostly based on interpreting around an example deleted for the SRD. There two popular interpretations (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=24784997&postcount=92) that say, respectively, yes and no. The former interpretation basically invalidates the fighter as a class; the latter interpretation implies that blindness blindness/deafness suppresses blindness/deafness deafness.

If you want to hash it out again, you'd be better off starting a new flame war thread.

[Arparrabiosa]

Q60

Mayra readies a spell and specify the conditions under which she will cast it. Does she need to say which spell is she readying? Does she need to specify the point of origin if she is casting an area spell?

[St Fan]

Q60

Mayra readies a spell and specify the conditions under which she will cast it. Does she need to say which spell is she readying? Does she need to specify the point of origin if she is casting an area spell?

To the first part of the question, expect DM variation. Mostly, when readying an action, it's expected to be precise enough, so yes the spell should probably be specified.

To the second part, however: no. A point of origin, or any other target or specificity of a spell is chosen at the very moment the spell is cast, not before, even with a prepared action.

[Doctor Despair]

Q61

Many invocations list verbal and somatic components. However, they are SLAs, so I would assume that unless listed, they would be purely mental actions, right? For example, the Warlock's Eldritch Blast and the Dragonfire Adept's Magic Insight (Dragon Magic, 81) both, so far as I can tell, fail to list any spellcasting components.Would they then be purely mental actions?

[Kaleph]

A 61
All invocations have quite explicitly somatic components (and accordingly ASF), and therefore ain't purely mental actions.

Q 62
Is half drow enough to qualify for verminfriend/arachnomancer?

[Doctor Despair]

A61
Warlock's invocations have quite explicitly somatic components (and accordingly ASF), and therefore ain't purely mental actions.


W.R.T. A61


Eldritch Blast isn't an invocation, so it should be purely mental, right?

Unless it's printed somewhere else, this is all the info I can find on Magic Insight:


Least; 2nd
You can use detect magic as the spell (PH 219). While the invocation is active, you can end the effect as a full-round action to determine all the properties of a single touched item (as the identify spell, PH 243, but with no components required).

As I said, it doesn't seem to explicitly have verbal or somatic components, as other invocations do. Would it be purely mental then?


Edit: Dragonfire Adepts also have the line that all invocations have somatic components, meaning dragonfire invocations should fall under the Warlock restriction, too.

I've also spotted the line in Warlock as well, and it also explicitly mentions EB. Sad.

[Kaleph]

W.R.T. A61


Eldritch Blast isn't an invocation, so it should be purely mental, right?

Unless it's printed somewhere else, this is all the info I can find on Magic Insight:


Least; 2nd
You can use detect magic as the spell (PH 219). While the invocation is active, you can end the effect as a full-round action to determine all the properties of a single touched item (as the identify spell, PH 243, but with no components required).

As I said, it doesn't seem to explicitly have verbal or somatic components, as other invocations do. Would it be purely mental then?


Edit: Dragonfire Adepts also have the line that all invocations have somatic components, meaning dragonfire invocations should fall under the Warlock restriction, too.

Eldritch blast IS an invocation, according to errata. Beside that, the line claiming that all invocations have somatic components explicitly mentions that also the eldritch blast has somatic components.

[St Fan]

Q 63

Is there any rule covering the case where characters try to move though an obstacle they weren't aware was present, like an invisible forcefield? Or if they try to charge or run through the same?

[Bobur]

Q 63

Is there any rule covering the case where characters try to move though an obstacle they weren't aware was present, like an invisible forcefield? Or if they try to charge or run through the same?

I dont remember a clear rule in the books, but I would rule it like this: The player takes his move action, begins to move up his speed and runs into the barrier. He can not proceed (usually) but can still move around it as long as he still has some movement for the round left. If it was something like a web, he may get a Ref SV to stop himself from running into it, otherwise apply the rules for web, quicksand or whatever you use.
For charge or run: Since you cant change your direction in those cases and cant split the movement either, you would just stop short of were you wanted to go.

[Bobur]

Q 64
Hitting your ally by chance: It comes up every now and then and I think I read something alike, but I cant find the exact rule.
Is there actually a chance to hit your ally if you
a) range attack into melee or b) melee attack into a grapple? Or was it only ranged into grapple?
Or is it just the normal attack modifiers? (-4 for ranged into melee I believe)

Q65
Can you hold a 2HW in 1 hand? - Not wielding it of course, but to use the other hand?
For example, you use a reach weapon, but the enemy is in your face, can you hold onto your weapon and just punch him in the face with your fist?

[Khedrac]

A 64 only for ranged attack into grapple.

A65 Yes. I think the rule is in the spellcasting section - it allows the wielder to take their hand off the weapon to cast a spell.

[Kaleph]

Q 66
Does the church inquisitor's pierce illusion ability activate when the inquisitor is in presence of a creature subject to a invisibility spell? I'm asking since the exact wording of the ability requires that the inquisitor has "visual contact" with the spell - is here line of sight meant? How should I otherwise translate the ability to "see" an invisibility spell?

And since I'm here, UP:

Q 62
Is half drow enough to qualify for verminfriend/arachnomancer?

[Sir_Chivalry]

Q67 Question about Steely Resolve from the Crusader (ToB pg.10) emphasis mine:


When an opponent strikes you, the injury does not immediately affect you. You have a delayed damage pool that allows you to forestall the effects of many injuries. This pool begins at 0 with each encounter. When you are attacked, any hit point damage the blow deals is added to your delayed damage pool

Would I be correct in assuming that the following damage would not be put in the pool?


Voluntary damage from magic items, feats or class abilities (example Bands of Blood Rage from MIC, a Frenzied Berserker's frenzy)
Falling damage
Environmental damage such as fire, a blizzard, dropping into a pool of acid
Area of effect damage from a non-targeted attack (fireball counts as an attack for invisibility, but what about a balor's aura?)
Damage from traps or spell wards (glyph of blasting, a door that disintegrates those who touch it and you make your save)

[Elves]

A 67
>When an opponent strikes you, the injury does not immediately affect you.
This part is flavor text.

>When you are attacked

Attack: Any of numerous actions intended to harm, disa-ble, or neutralize an opponent. The outcome of an attack is determined by an attack roll.

So yes, Steely Resolve only applies to effects that involve an attack roll.


Q 68
Is precision damage untyped damage?
(No answer in Rules Compendium)

[Troacctid]

Q 62
Is half drow enough to qualify for verminfriend/arachnomancer?
Yes.


Q 66
Does the church inquisitor's pierce illusion ability activate when the inquisitor is in presence of a creature subject to a invisibility spell? I'm asking since the exact wording of the ability requires that the inquisitor has "visual contact" with the spell - is here line of sight meant? How should I otherwise translate the ability to "see" an invisibility spell?

And since I'm here, UP:
You have to see it. Since it is invisible, this may be tricky.


Q67 Question about Steely Resolve from the Crusader (ToB pg.10) emphasis mine:



Would I be correct in assuming that the following damage would not be put in the pool?


Voluntary damage from magic items, feats or class abilities (example Bands of Blood Rage from MIC, a Frenzied Berserker's frenzy)
Falling damage
Environmental damage such as fire, a blizzard, dropping into a pool of acid
Area of effect damage from a non-targeted attack (fireball counts as an attack for invisibility, but what about a balor's aura?)
Damage from traps or spell wards (glyph of blasting, a door that disintegrates those who touch it and you make your save)


You'd be incorrect. "Attack" here is not limited to attack rolls; it uses the broader definition seen with spells such as invisibility. How do we know this? Because the following paragraph uses a gaze attack as an example.

[Khedrac]

A 68 No, precision damage has the same type as the attack that inflicts it. So, a sneak attack with a bow and arrow inflicts piercing damage, but with a club bludgeoning damage.

[St Fan]

A 68 No, precision damage has the same type as the attack that inflicts it. So, a sneak attack with a bow and arrow inflicts piercing damage, but with a club bludgeoning damage.

Entirely correct; just to expand, it is possible to do precision damage with weaponlike spells (spells requiring an attack roll) like rays, and the sneak attack damage is still the same energy type (fire, cold, etc.) as the spell. The Complete Arcane note the exception of spells that deals energy drain or ability damage, which deal negative energy damage (not extra energy drain or ability damage).

[Gelcur]

Q69 The Half-Dragon template states, "A half-dragon that is Medium or smaller does not have wings." What if the base creature had wings to start with, example Half-Dragon Tressym? Does the creature lose those wings by RAW?

[St Fan]

A 69
No, the line means a Medium or smaller half-dragon does not gain wings through the template. If already with wings, the character keep them, they just aren't the draconic-looking wings of a half-dragon.

[St Fan]

Q 70
A level 10 Planar Wizard can add the alignment descriptor of his choice to his spells, gaining a bonus against creatures of the opposite alignment, and this bonus is doubled if the spell already has the same alignment descriptor.

What if the wizard also uses a separate trick that adds an alignment descriptor to his spells? (Like Consecrate/Purified Spell, Corrupt/Violate Spell, mark of the enlightened soul, touch of the blackened soul, etc.) Is the bonus doubled if the two alignment descriptor matches?

Q 71
The Heroes of Horror sourcebook introduces a variant rule when casting spells with the evil descriptor (basically, a SAN check: a Will save, which if failed adds depravity taint). If this rule is used, shall the save applies also to spells gaining the evil descriptor through an additional trick? (Aligned Spellcaster, Planar Wizard, Corrupt Spell, Violate Spell, touch of the blackened soul...)

[Kayblis]

A 70
Yes.

A 71
Yes.

[Elves]

Cont A 67


You'd be incorrect. "Attack" here is not limited to attack rolls; it uses the broader definition seen with spells such as invisibility. How do we know this? Because the following paragraph uses a gaze attack as an example.

This is incorrect, the gaze attack is used as an example of something Steely Resolve does not affect:


Special effects tied to an attack, such as energy drain, stun, and so forth, still affect you as normal, and their effects are not delayed by this ability. ...Any other special attack that imposes a condition, such as a medusa?s petrifying gaze, takes immediate effect on you.

What if a gaze attack dealt damage? Since "a creature with a gaze attack can actively attempt to use its gaze as an attack action", it might count as an attack. The text excludes "special effects tied to an attack", but this seems to mean effects other than hit point damage. So steely resolve would probably apply against a gaze attack that dealt damage if it were "used actively as an attack action".

Other special abilities don't have this "as an attack action" clause though. Nothing suggests steely resolve uses a nonstandard definition of attack the way invisibility does.

[St Fan]

Q 72

A fighter masters both Robilar's Gambit (Player's Handbook II) and Grappling Block (Oriental Adventure).

A) While using Robilar's Gambit, he can choose to make an attack of opportunity at any attacker that miss. However, on the first armed attack that hits, can he choose to use his once-a-round Grappling Block attempt instead?

B) Whatever the case, he cannot make both the Robilar's Gambit-granted AoO and the Grappling Block on the same swing, based on the rule that the same action cannot provoke two attacks of opportunity, right?

[Sir_Chivalry]

Cont A 67



This is incorrect, the gaze attack is used as an example of something Steely Resolve does not affect:



What if a gaze attack dealt damage? Since "a creature with a gaze attack can actively attempt to use its gaze as an attack action", it might count as an attack. The text excludes "special effects tied to an attack", but this seems to mean effects other than hit point damage. So steely resolve would probably apply against a gaze attack that dealt damage if it were "used actively as an attack action".

Other special abilities don't have this "as an attack action" clause though. Nothing suggests steely resolve uses a nonstandard definition of attack the way invisibility does.

Cont A 67

Right so would that mean that only damage otherwise tied to another creature attacking the crusader is able to be delayed in steely resolve?

No AoE, no burning auras, no falling damage, no self-inflicted stuff?

Trying to pin this down before my next session :smallwink: I'd hate to be playing dishonestly

[ShurikVch]

Q 73

Ash Doom disease

Ash doom's supernatural nature allows it to affect corporeal undead and some living creatures that are normally immune to disease (such as some paladins) and ability damage, although such creatures receive a +4 bonus on their saving throws.
The question is: if it able to affect Undead and living creatures which are immune, then would it be able to affect ordinary corpses (i. e. dead (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#dead) creatures) too?


Q 74

Draconian, Sivak

When a male sivak dies, it changes shape, assuming the form of the humanoid being that killed it. This death shape
lasts for three days, and then the entire body decomposes into black soot. If the sivak's slayer is larger than the sivak or not humanoid, the sivak instead bursts into flame, dealing 2d4 points of fire damage to all creatures within a 10-foot radius (DC 17 Reflex save negates).
When a female sivak dies, it bursts into flames, dealing 2d4 points of fire damage to all creatures within a 10-foot radius (DC 17 Reflex save negates).
What would happen if dead male sivak withing the aforementioned three days would be resurrected? Or animated as Undead?

[Troacctid]

Cont A 67

Right so would that mean that only damage otherwise tied to another creature attacking the crusader is able to be delayed in steely resolve?

No AoE, no burning auras, no falling damage, no self-inflicted stuff?

Trying to pin this down before my next session :smallwink: I'd hate to be playing dishonestly
The fact that a gaze attack is used as an example of an effect that doesn't work specifically because it doesn't deal damage proves that it would work if it did deal damage. So, yes, it works on AoEs. You can also see the same definition of "attack" at work in the level 3 zealous surge ability, which lists spells as a type of attack, and in the level 13 mettle ability, which describes Will half and Fortitude partial effects as attacks. If you used the stricter version of the term, it would be a major nerf to the mettle ability, limiting it to just effects that have an attack roll and a save.

It's up to your DM to decide whether it works on self-inflicted or environmental damage, but it would make sense for it to do so.

[Doctor Despair]

A73

By RAW, a dead creature is neither undead nor living, so it would not be affected; a dead creature is an object. RAI, it would certainly be reasonable, but requires a compliant DM.

[Elves]

Cont A 67

Right so would that mean that only damage otherwise tied to another creature attacking the crusader is able to be delayed in steely resolve?

No AoE, no burning auras, no falling damage, no self-inflicted stuff?

Trying to pin this down before my next session :smallwink: I'd hate to be playing dishonestly
Yeah, not unless the effect either involves an attack roll or, like a gaze attack, "counts as an attack action". It would still apply against attacks you make against yourself.


The fact that a gaze attack is used as an example of an effect that doesn't work specifically because it doesn't deal damage proves that it would work if it did deal damage. So, yes, it works on AoEs.
It would apply against a gaze attack that dealt damage, but it doesn't follow that it would therefore apply against an AOE spell that isn't classified as an attack.

If steely resolve applied against all damage, it would say so instead of "when you're attacked". There's a RAW game definition of attack. When invisibility creates an alternative definition, it says so explicitly. Crusader doesn't so RAW is to use the glossary definition.

[bogy]

q75

does pa multiplier from leap attack carry over to follow up pounce attack?

[Venger]

A 75 What are you asking? If you make a leap attack while pouncing, do you get the extra damage? If so, yes.

[bogy]

A 75 What are you asking? If you make a leap attack while pouncing, do you get the extra damage? If so, yes.

im asking if the dmg buff i get from leap attack applies to all attacks i make in a round or just the charge.

[Bobur]

A#75: Leap attack talks about a single powerful attack. You charge, you jump and get 1 powerful attack.
"You can combine a powerful charge and a mighty leap into one devastating attack....."

The charge modifier to attack and AC still applies though.

Q#76: If you want to fight with 2 weapons, can you make the 2nd attack only during a full attack or any time that you can use an attack action?
I thought it would only work during a full attack, but "you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon" only says per attack. So could I charge and use both weapons for the attack? Or an attack of opportunity if I havent used the extra attack yet?

EDIT:
AQ#76: Never mind. I found the answer under the Full round action rules. There is says that you have to use the Full attack to use it... pretty meh.

[bogy]

q77
if you have pounce and charge using power attack and heedless charge from shock trooper do the attacks from pounce benefit from shock trooper?

[Elves]

A 77
Heedless Charge references normal charge modifiers. Per Rules Compendium, the charge attack bonus applies to all pounce attacks, so Shock Trooper would too. It's also clear from this that they do count as charge attacks, so Leap Attack would also apply to them all.

[bogy]

A 77
Heedless Charge references normal charge modifiers. Per Rules Compendium, the charge attack bonus applies to all pounce attacks, so Shock Trooper would too. It's also clear from this that they do count as charge attacks, so Leap Attack would also apply to them all. any chance you could give me a reference page?

edit "you must charge and make the attack at the end" is the raw text for heedless , does that not mean the heedless stuff only applies to that one specific attack?

[Elves]

RC 101
Pounce When a creature that has this extraordinary special attack charges, it can sti l l ma ke a ful l at tack [...] All its attacks receive the +2 bonus on attack rolls gained from charging.

[Dimers]

Q 78

If my base movement is 40', what's my speed in medium armor? (AKA what is the ground speed velocity of a laden nezumi?)

[KillianHawkeye]

A 78

30'
tencharacters

[MaienM]

Q79: How does wildshape/alternate form interact with ability loss (for the physical ability scores)? Alternate form specifies that you gain the physical ability scores of the new form, and I would presume that any ability loss is then applied to these new scores. But what then happens when the alternate form ends? Does the loss go away when you return to your original form (since the loss was applied to a different set of scores that no longer apply to you), or does it stick with you?

Q80: Urban Shape (pretty much just Wild Shape but for humanoids rather than animals) allows you to change into any creature with the humanoid type. I've been looking through some of the books to find interesting things to shift into but I'm having some trouble figuring out how the stats for this work, since a lot of the listed creatures have class levels.

A) Take for example the Dark Talon Tribe (from MMIV page 83). There are a few stat blocks here. The simplest one is the Dark Talon Soldier, which is pretty straightforward. But then there's also a Dark Talon Champion, which has some levels in barbarian (and an ability score increase from having more HD). Would that be a valid form to shift into? If so I assume this would use the stats from the non-raging form (since I cannot rage), is this correct?

B) Say that at 8th level I were to shift into a creature that is listed with 4HD. Since at that point I can shift into forms of up to 8HD, would I then be able to shift into a leveled-up version of this (originally 4HD) form, with a corresponding ability score increase?

Q81: Actions point allow you to emulate having a feat for a single round (provided you meet the requirements for said feat). If one were to use this to emulate having a feat that grants access to extra Wild Shape forms (e.g. Frozen Wild Shape) and then proceeded to shift into such a form in the same round, what would happen the next turn? Would you shift back or would you be able stay in this form?

[Blue Jay]

Q79: How does wildshape/alternate form interact with ability loss (for the physical ability scores)? Alternate form specifies that you gain the physical ability scores of the new form, and I would presume that any ability loss is then applied to these new scores. But what then happens when the alternate form ends? Does the loss go away when you return to your original form (since the loss was applied to a different set of scores that no longer apply to you), or does it stick with you?

A79
No, any ability damage or drain you take carries over between forms.


Q80: Urban Shape (pretty much just Wild Shape but for humanoids rather than animals) allows you to change into any creature with the humanoid type. I've been looking through some of the books to find interesting things to shift into but I'm having some trouble figuring out how the stats for this work, since a lot of the listed creatures have class levels.

A) Take for example the Dark Talon Tribe (from MMIV page 83). There are a few stat blocks here. The simplest one is the Dark Talon Soldier, which is pretty straightforward. But then there's also a Dark Talon Champion, which has some levels in barbarian (and an ability score increase from having more HD). Would that be a valid form to shift into? If so I assume this would use the stats from the non-raging form (since I cannot rage), is this correct?

B) Say that at 8th level I were to shift into a creature that is listed with 4HD. Since at that point I can shift into forms of up to 8HD, would I then be able to shift into a leveled-up version of this (originally 4HD) form, with a corresponding ability score increase?

A80
I don't personally feel like this is ever explained very clearly for Wild Shape, Alternate Form or Urban Shape, but here's how I understand it:

You don't actually take the specific NPC's ability scores: you just take the racial adjustments, and nothing else. You keep your original ability-score array, and replace the racial adjustments from your race with the racial adjustments for the race you're shifting into. So, if you shift into a Dark Talon lizardfolk, you remove the physical-score adjustments from your own race, and replace them with the physical ability score adjustments of a lizardfolk, and that's it. So, say you're a 5th-level dwarf druid. You start with a 32-point buy, and give yourself 14-10-14-10-16-14. With racial adjustments (+2 Con, -2 Cha) and the +1 at 4th level going to Wis, your dwarf has Str 14, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 17, Cha 12. Then, he takes lizardfolk form, so his abilities become Str 16, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 17, Cha 12.


Q81: Actions point allow you to emulate having a feat for a single round (provided you meet the requirements for said feat). If one were to use this to emulate having a feat that grants access to extra Wild Shape forms (e.g. Frozen Wild Shape) and then proceeded to shift into such a form in the same round, what would happen the next turn? Would you shift back or would you be able stay in this form?

A81
I don't think this is very clearly explained either, but the text (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/adventuring/actionPoints.htm#emulateFeat) says, "He gains the benefit until the beginning of his next turn." By my reading, that means he loses the form after 1 round (unless he pays another action point to prolong it). So, after 1 round, he would shift back to his natural form, and that use of Wild Shape is over. Of course, there are some abilities that let you shift multiple times as a single use of Wild Shape (e.g., Warshaper(?)), so if you have one of those abilities, I think you could just shift at the end of the round into a form that doesn't require the feat you're emulating, and then you wouldn't lose your use of Wild Shape.

[Doctor Despair]

Q82

Could the Spellblade enhancement be used to protect a held sword from being Disintegrated? I know the sword would use the wielder's save if it is currently being attended -- and the wielder can be made to be immune through the enhancement. I'm not certain if that immunity would carry over to the weapon, however.

[Arkhios]

Q 83: Readying (strapping on) a shield is a move action. Is drawing a shield a separate move action, or part of the same move action?

Q 83a: Light and heavy shields are both listed in the weapons table and described under Weapons headline. AFAIK, this would mean that light and heavy shields are (also) weapons. How do light and heavy shields interact with Quick Draw?

Q 83b: Can you attack with a shield that is held but not readied (strapped on)?

Q 83c: How much AC (if any) does a shield provide if held but not readied (strapped on)?

[Troacctid]

Q 83: Readying (strapping on) a shield is a move action. Is drawing a shield a separate move action, or part of the same move action?
I mean, if you're keeping it in your backpack, I guess it's separate, because you're digging in your bag for it? I think most people would have it in, like, a holster type of thing, though. Either way, if you have at least +1 BAB, it would be free as part of your move.


Q 83a: Light and heavy shields are both listed in the weapons table and described under Weapons headline. AFAIK, this would mean that light and heavy shields are (also) weapons. How do light and heavy shields interact with Quick Draw?
It doesn't affect the action needed to ready a shield.


Q 83b: Can you attack with a shield that is held but not readied (strapped on)?
Nothing stopping you.


Q 83c: How much AC (if any) does a shield provide if held but not readied (strapped on)?
None.

[unseenmage]

Q84
Say I have an underground bunker and my self destruct mechanism is just to un shrink item and un extradimensional store a lot of dirt effectively burying every space and room.

What happens when an item is un shrunk in a space too small for it?
What if a creature occupies that space?

Am wondering if RAW this secondary spell effect just fails because there isnt space for it to succeed.

[Shpadoinkle]

Q78
Magic of Incarnum question. Say I'm an Incarnate 2/Fighter 18, and I've taken the "Open Least/Lesser/Greater" chakra feats with my 'level' feats, and used my fighter bonus feats for, well, fighter stuff.

Being an Incarnate 2 gives me 1 chakra bind, but I'm not seeing if the 'Open Chakra' feats allow additional chakra binds. Am I stuck with only 1? If I"m allowed to have more than one due to the feats, where in the book is this specified? Thanks in advance.

[Arparrabiosa]

Q79

Does delivering a melee touch spell triggers a ghoul's paralyzing touch?

[Troacctid]

Q84
Say I have an underground bunker and my self destruct mechanism is just to un shrink item and un extradimensional store a lot of dirt effectively burying every space and room.

What happens when an item is un shrunk in a space too small for it?
What if a creature occupies that space?

Am wondering if RAW this secondary spell effect just fails because there isnt space for it to succeed.
A creature occupying an illegal space will automatically be shunted to the closest legal space at the end of its movement, so they should simply be pushed back. No similar rule exists for objects, so it should revert to the DM's adjudication.


Q78
Magic of Incarnum question. Say I'm an Incarnate 2/Fighter 18, and I've taken the "Open Least/Lesser/Greater" chakra feats with my 'level' feats, and used my fighter bonus feats for, well, fighter stuff.

Being an Incarnate 2 gives me 1 chakra bind, but I'm not seeing if the 'Open Chakra' feats allow additional chakra binds. Am I stuck with only 1? If I"m allowed to have more than one due to the feats, where in the book is this specified? Thanks in advance.
This is not specified in the book, and it's always been a contentious topic. Expect table variation.


Q79

Does delivering a melee touch spell triggers a ghoul's paralyzing touch?
Only if it's delivered through a claw or bite attack.

Those hit by a ghoul’s bite or claw attack must succeed on a DC 12 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds.
Usually this will require holding the charge.

[St Fan]

Q 85

About the Geometer's Draw Spellglyph class feature:


Spellglyph (Su): A spellglyph is an arcane diagram that substitutes for a specific spell's verbal and material components (if any). When a geometer casts a prepared spell in conjunction with a spellglyph scribed for that spell, he can cast the spell as if it were affected by the Silent Spell feat. The spellglyph replaces any material components (other than a focus) normally required by the spell. A geometer chooses at the time of casting whether to use a spellglyph. An expended spellglyph disappears, just like any other material component. Spellglyphs are normally scribed on parchment, much like scrolls. Preparing a spellglyph requires 1 hour and the use of rare inks costing 25 gp per spell level. If the spell normally requires an expensive material component (with a value of more than 1 gp), exotic inks and treatments of equal cost must be used in the preparation of the spellglyph.

Let's see if I read it right...

A) Nowhere in the ability's description it is clearly specified that a spellglyph has to be written by the Geometer who's going to use it (just that it needs to be scribed for a specific spell). So, can any Geometer (the ability is gained a first level) use a spellglyph scribed by another character?

B) On the other hand, can a wizard with no level in the Geometer prestige class use a spellglyph?

C) If the answer to B) is no, could a Use Magic Device check be of any help?

[ShurikVch]

Q 86

If Cha loss from Slaad Fever and Wis loss from Chaos Beast's Corporeal Instability bring to 0 at the same round, then to what, exactly, would be the victim turned?

[Blue Jay]

Q 86

If Cha loss from Slaad Fever and Wis loss from Chaos Beast's Corporeal Instability bring to 0 at the same round, then to what, exactly, would be the victim turned?

A 86
A chaos beast.

Since slaad fever is a disease, with an effect resolved once per day, it's unlikely that it's going to be resolved mid-combat or immediately post-combat (which is when corporeal instability will be resolved), so the two resolving on exactly the same round is probably not going to happen. But even if it does just happen that both resolve in the same round, you can't logistically resolve both game effects simultaneously, so the details will be determined by the exact order of operations. I don't think there is a prescribed order of operations for things like this, so that will be up to your DM to determine. However, in the specific case, order of operations doesn't matter: the creature will end up as a chaos beast, either way.

If the slaad fever is resolved first, then the creature immediately becomes a slaad. Then, assuming the creature's Wisdom score hasn't increased due to the transformation, corporeal instability is resolved, and the creature becomes a chaos beast.

On the other hand, if corporeal instability resolves first, then the creature transforms into a chaos beast. Assuming this hasn't increased the creature's Charisma score, the slaad fever resolves next. But, since slaad fever only causes humanoids to transform, the afflicted creature (which is now on outsider) will not transform into a slaad, and will remain a chaos beast.

[St Fan]

Q 87

The resilient sphere (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/resilientSphere.htm) spell has "centered around a creature" on the effect line, and "reflex negates" as a saving throw.

A) Does that mean that an unwilling target who makes the saving throw prevents the sphere from forming, or just that he moved fast enough to not be imprisoned, leaving an empty resilient sphere behind?

B) If a subject has a resilient sphere created around herself use a teleportation power to get out, does the now empty resilient sphere continue to exist?

[Doctor Despair]

Q88 A

Can things that grant bonuses to knowledge checks also grant bonuses to a bardic knowledge check? For example, ardents with the knowledge mantle can expend their psionic focus to gain a +5 bonus on one Knowledge check; could this be used for a bardic knowledge check in the case of a cross-class bard/ardent?

Q88 B

Can a bardic knowledge check be used to determine the effectiveness of abilities that key off of a knowledge check like Knowledge Devotion or the Urban Savant's Urban Savvy?

[Troacctid]

Q 87

The resilient sphere (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/resilientSphere.htm) spell has "centered around a creature" on the effect line, and "reflex negates" as a saving throw.

A) Does that mean that an unwilling target who makes the saving throw prevents the sphere from forming, or just that he moved fast enough to not be imprisoned, leaving an empty resilient sphere behind?
The first one.


B) If a subject has a resilient sphere created around herself use a teleportation power to get out, does the now empty resilient sphere continue to exist?
Yes.


Q88 A

Can things that grant bonuses to knowledge checks also grant bonuses to a bardic knowledge check? For example, ardents with the knowledge mantle can expend their psionic focus to gain a +5 bonus on one Knowledge check; could this be used for a bardic knowledge check in the case of a cross-class bard/ardent?
No.


Q88 B

Can a bardic knowledge check be used to determine the effectiveness of abilities that key off of a knowledge check like Knowledge Devotion or the Urban Savant's Urban Savvy?
No.

[Lilapop]

Q 87

The resilient sphere spell has "centered around a creature" on the effect line, and "reflex negates" as a saving throw.

A) Does that mean that an unwilling target who makes the saving throw prevents the sphere from forming, or just that he moved fast enough to not be imprisoned, leaving an empty resilient sphere behind?The first one.


Kind of related...
Q 89
There are a number of area spells, such as black sand (Sandstorm page 111) that describe succeeding on a reflex save as evacuating the area:

Saving Throw: Reflex negates; see text
Creatures can make Reflex saves to avoid being caught in the area upon which the spell is first cast.
Considering the spell affects a 20 ft radius spread, how is this supposed to play out? Does a medium or small creature in a square adjacent to the point-of-origin intersection get to leap and cartwheel four squares to the side as part of that reflex save?

[St Fan]

Q88 A
Can things that grant bonuses to knowledge checks also grant bonuses to a bardic knowledge check? For example, ardents with the knowledge mantle can expend their psionic focus to gain a +5 bonus on one Knowledge check; could this be used for a bardic knowledge check in the case of a cross-class bard/ardent?


A 88a extension: As mentioned above, no. Note that a bardic knowledge check is an Intelligence check, so an overall bonus to Intelligence checks (or to any ability check) would benefit a bardic knowledge check too. But not bonuses to Knowledge checks, which are specific skills.


Q 90
I am wondering how grappling and Reflex saving throws interact.

A) A character who is grappling lose Dexterity (and Dodge) bonuses to AC against those who aren't grappling. Does he receives any penalty to Reflex saves from an external area attack?

B) A character who is pinned is "immobile but not helpless". That would mean a monk would lose his special AC bonus too, but does it also affects Reflex saves somewhat?

[Arparrabiosa]

Q91

Can werewolves cast spells in hybrid form or do they need surrogate spellcasting?

[Troacctid]

Kind of related...
Q 89
There are a number of area spells, such as black sand (Sandstorm page 111) that describe succeeding on a reflex save as evacuating the area:

Considering the spell affects a 20 ft radius spread, how is this supposed to play out? Does a medium or small creature in a square adjacent to the point-of-origin intersection get to leap and cartwheel four squares to the side as part of that reflex save?
Yes.


Q 90
I am wondering how grappling and Reflex saving throws interact.

A) A character who is grappling lose Dexterity (and Dodge) bonuses to AC against those who aren't grappling. Does he receives any penalty to Reflex saves from an external area attack?
No.


B) A character who is pinned is "immobile but not helpless". That would mean a monk would lose his special AC bonus too, but does it also affects Reflex saves somewhat?
No.


Q91

Can werewolves cast spells in hybrid form or do they need surrogate spellcasting?
Hybrid form does not impose any restrictions on your ability to provide verbal and somatic components.

[Thurbane]

A 91


A lycanthrope spellcaster cannot cast spells with verbal, somatic, or material components while in animal form, or spells with verbal components while in hybrid form.

Lycanthropes cannot cast spells with verbal components while in hybrid form. (Personal opinion: this is a stupid rule, but it is RAW). Surrogate Spellcasting (if allowed), Silent Spell etc. can get around this.

As a side note, the Lycanthropic Spell feat (Faiths & Pantheons) allows casting in animal form.

[Arparrabiosa]

Lycanthropes cannot cast spells with verbal components while in hybrid form.

Can you quote the source? I'll probably allow it anyway, but still...

[St Fan]

Q 92

The general rule is that a spell or effect doesn't end when the caster is killed; it always last until the duration expires.

However, what about mental control powers that are described (notably in the protection from evil spell) to exert ongoing mental control over a subject (mostly charm and domination)?

What happen to the subject of a charm person when the caster is killed?

Or to the victim of a vampire's domination gaze when the vampire is destroyed?

Does the effects stop without the need of dispelling magic?

[Khedrac]

A 92 No, they don't automatically stop.

In the case of charm person the person under its effect will still regard the (now dead) caster as their friend and act accordingly (grieve, try to bring the back to life etc.) until the spell expires.

Domination is actually simpler - the last active command remains in effect until it becomes irrelevant. So "keep me alive" becomes irrelevant, "protect me" becomes protect the corpse and "kill your friends" remains unchanged.
If no relevant command is active the victim can act normally.

Note - a badly worded command (e.g. "keep me alive" when the target doesn't know that they are a vampire) can have negative effects (such as a heal when the vampire gets damaged).

[Thurbane]

Can you quote the source? I'll probably allow it anyway, but still...

SRD section on lycanthropes, under Special Attacks.

Also MM1, p.176.

[ByzantiumBhuka]

Q 93

The spell description for Teleportation Circle suggests that only a rogue could Search for it. However, other non-SRD classes are given the ability to detect magical traps; does that mean they could detect a Teleportation Circle? What about a cleric using Find Traps?

[Troacctid]

Q 93

The spell description for Teleportation Circle suggests that only a rogue could Search for it. However, other non-SRD classes are given the ability to detect magical traps; does that mean they could detect a Teleportation Circle? What about a cleric using Find Traps?
This is a case of specific vs. general vs. exception. The text in the spell is actually a reminder of a general rule for the Search skill. When a class other than rogue grants itself trapfinding (or when a rogue ACF trades away trapfinding), it creates an exception to this general rule, and exceptions always take priority over general rules. Some DMs consider this particular interaction to be an example of a dysfunctional rule, claiming that according to the specific text of the spell, the trapfinding ability is irrelevant, and it cares specifically about the rogue class; I personally disagree with that, because regardless of what the spell's text says, the trapfinding ability still provides an exception to it, and exceptions take precedence over specific rules as well as general ones.

Find traps has a different wording than trapfinding: it allows you to find traps "just as a rogue can." So it works just fine as well.

In case you need more clarity, Rules Compendium updated the general rule in question, and it now references the trapfinding ability rather than the rogue class.

[Khedrac]

SRD section on lycanthropes, under Special Attacks.

Also MM1, p.176.

To expand, this is the section on Creating a Lycanthrope which lays it out clearly. The individual lycanthrope examples miss this section (not being spellcasters).

[MaxiDuRaritry]

Q94: If you use shapeshifting magic (wild shape + Aberration Shape or one of the effects based on polymorph/metamorphosis) and take both Assume Supernatural Ability (Quickness) for the MMI's choker and ASA (Alternate Form) for phasm (also MMI) and you turn into a phasm, followed by using its alternate form to turn into a choker, do you count as a choker for ASA (Quickness)?

I...think you do, but I'm not 100% sure.

Q95: Do you still count as a phasm for Alternate Form?

Q96: And what are your stats like in the second form?

It might be a good way to turn into lots of critters using a single wild shape or polymorph/metamorphosis!

[YellowJohn]

Q97
Is a Spellscale's 'Blood-Quickening' ritual Ex, Sp or Su? Or none of the above?
Question behind the question: Would the Shapechange spell allow me to perform such a ritual?

[Khedrac]

A97 Since the race description does not specify the techical answer is "none of the above" though most of the abilities that are granted equate to feats and those abilities will usually be "Ex" (see feat descriptions for specific details).

As written shapechange would not grant the abilities.

[MaxiDuRaritry]

Q97
Is a Spellscale's 'Blood-Quickening' ritual Ex, Sp or Su? Or none of the above?
Question behind the question: Would the Shapechange spell allow me to perform such a ritual?A97: Any ability that isn't otherwise specified is (Na).


Natural Abilities
This category includes abilities a creature has because of its physical nature. Natural abilities are those not otherwise designated as extraordinary, supernatural, or spell-like.So, yes, you apparently do get access to the rituals.

[Debatra]

Q 98

Is there a default rule for if a creature has a Fly speed without a listed maneuverability?

[Afgncaap5]

Q 99:

Do Warlocks count as a spellcaster for the purposes of using Craft (Alchemy)? If so, where is that written?

[Thurbane]

Q 99:

Do Warlocks count as a spellcaster for the purposes of using Craft (Alchemy)? If so, where is that written?

A 099

Interesting question.


To make an item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical equipment and be a spellcaster.

The sidebar on page 18 of Complete Arcane (Warlocks and Prestige Classes), advises that a Warlock's caster level counts as a req for PrCs, and that "+1 level of existing spellcasting class" advance Invocations. But it doesn't state for any other purpose that Warlocks count as Spellcasters, as such.

So by strictest RAW, no, they wouldn't qualify to craft alchemical items through Warlock levels alone.

Most DMs, however, would probably let this slide if you asked them, IMHO.

[Afgncaap5]

A 099Most DMs, however, would probably let this slide if you asked them, IMHO.

Definitely. I homebrew alchemy to not require spellcasting in my games. However, I noticed that Artificers *did* have wording that permitted them to use alchemy, so I wondered if I'd just missed similarly permissive wording for the Warlock somewhere.

[Thurbane]

Q 100 a

The War Hulk PrC has the No Time to Think feature, which means you are treated as having 0 ranks in all Int, Wis and Cha based skills (except Intimidate). Am I correct in assuming this means you may not use any of those skills if they are trained only, even if you have ranks in them?

Q 100 b

How does No Time to Think interact with the Jack of All Trades feat, which gives a virtual 1/2 rank in all skills?

[King of Nowhere]

Q101: if you have multiple castings of nondetections, possibly by several different people, and/or several pieces of equipment with the masking property, does it mean that to scry you a spellcaster has to beat all the various nondetections? or only one does apply?

[Troacctid]

Q101: if you have multiple castings of nondetections, possibly by several different people, and/or several pieces of equipment with the masking property, does it mean that to scry you a spellcaster has to beat all the various nondetections? or only one does apply?
This is a case of the same spell multiple times in different strengths. Only the most powerful one applies. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicOverview/castingSpells.htm#stackingEffects

[St Fan]

Q 102

The Sickening Strike and Terrifying Strike ambush feats (Drow of the Underdark) can induce conditions that involve a saving throw penalty (sickened and shaken, respectively) for 1 round.

If the sneak attack causing the effects of the ambush feat(s) is an unarmed strike that also carries another special effect requiring a saving throw (like a Stunning Fist attack or a touch spell whose caster was holding the charge), does said saving throw suffer from the penalties of the conditions? Or would it only count for the next attack?

In other words, in which order are the ambush feats and special attack applied?

Q 103

The wracking touch spell (Complete Adventurer & Spell Compendium) is a touch spell with the following effect:



You lay your hand upon a creature and deal 1d6 points of damage +1 point per caster level (maximum +10). In addition, if you have the sneak attack ability, you also deal sneak attack damage to the affected creature unless the creature is immune to extra damage from critical hits. The creature still takes the spell damage even if it does not take the sneak attack damage. Unlike a normal use of sneak attack, your target need not be flanked or denied its Dexterity bonus to take sneak attack damage from this spell.

A) The spell has "Fortitude half" as a saving throw. Does a successful saving throw only reduce by half the 1d6+1/level damage, or does it also halve the sneak attack damage?

B) If the caster holds the charge, and then makes an unarmed strike in the correct conditions to cause sneak attack damage on a creature not immune, does he inflict sneak attack damage twice? (Once for the unarmed strike itself, and once from the wracking touch spell going off?)

C) Same question as B) if a wracking touch spell is cast on a spell-storing weapon, and released in a situation where the weapon also inflicts sneak attack damage.

D) And by the way, still in the case of a spell-storing weapon with a wracking touch spell, is the sneak attack damage dependent on the caster's ability, or on the wielder's (if they aren't the same person)?

[Thurbane]

Q 104

If I am full-attacking with a melee weapon, and also deliver a Snap Kick using that feat as part of the attack, can I designate the kick as a Stunning Fist attack, if I also have that feat?

[St Fan]

A 104

Yes. As described, "This attack is an unarmed attack that deals damage", so you can use it in conjunction with any special attack fitting alongside such an unarmed attack (Stunning Fist, non-lethal damage, sneak attack [+Ambush feats], discharging a touch spell you were holding the charge, etc.)

What you can't use as a snap kick are special attacks that don't inflict damage (disarm, trip, etc.)

[Bobur]

A103:A) Sneak attack dmg is never part of a spell's direct effect, it can only be triggered by it. (Usually ray attacks)
So the Fort SV only half the spells dmg not the SA dmg.

B) I would say yes. Each successful attack that is viable for SA (weapon hits, ranged attacks, or spells like rays...) count.
So if you had flurry of blows each hit counts. If the spell by itself can cause SA and you just hold it, it would still cause SA on release, as long as the condition hasn't changed.

C) Same logic as before: If it counts on its own it should still count later (storing(holding) as long as the situation and target are viable for SA.

D) Since the spell doesn't GIVE you sneak attack dmg or the ability itself, but only the trigger to use it, I would argue that the wielder of the weapon/attack has to be able to do SA DMG otherwise it doesnt do anything at all. The caster only gives you the spell, spell dmg/effect and the trigger option.

Edit: A different ruling below.

[Bobur]

Q105:
You need concealment to make a hide check. How does this work in magical darkness? (20%miss chance)
Can I just walk into the magical zone and make a hide check right in front of an enemy? or basically in plain sight as long as within the darkness?

B) Can I move at 1/2 speed after hiding within to get to an enemy in the darkness and use SA?

[Khedrac]

A 103 B Contention


The wracking touch spell (Complete Adventurer & Spell Compendium) is a touch spell with the following effect:
B) If the caster holds the charge, and then makes an unarmed strike in the correct conditions to cause sneak attack damage on a creature not immune, does he inflict sneak attack damage twice? (Once for the unarmed strike itself, and once from the wracking touch spell going off?)

B) I would say yes. Each successful attack that is viable for SA (weapon hits, ranged attacks, or spells like rays...) count.
So if you had flurry of blows each hit counts. If the spell by itself can cause SA and you just hold it, it would still cause SA on release, as long as the condition hasn't changed.

I admit I cannot remember the location of the rule, but one can only trigger sneak attack (or similar) once per attack roll. Thus if you use one attack roll to deliver two effects (here unarmed strike and held charge spell) only one instance of sneak attack damage can result.

[Troacctid]

Q105:
You need concealment to make a hide check. How does this work in magical darkness? (20%miss chance)
Can I just walk into the magical zone and make a hide check right in front of an enemy? or basically in plain sight as long as within the darkness?

B) Can I move at 1/2 speed after hiding within to get to an enemy in the darkness and use SA?
A. In order to hide, you need cover or concealment, and you cannot be observed. Magical darkness fulfills the first criterion, but not the second. So, in this scenario, unless you had the Hide in Plain Sight ability to allow you to hide even while observed, you would need to first distract any observers with Bluff.
B. Yes, provided you succeed on an additional Hide check made at a -5 penalty for each 5 feet of open space between you and the target (RC 92), but also, in this situation, no, because if they're in the darkness too, they have concealment, and you can't sneak attack a target that has concealment against you.

[Bobur]

A. In order to hide, you need cover or concealment, and you cannot be observed. Magical darkness fulfills the first criterion, but not the second. So, in this scenario, unless you had the Hide in Plain Sight ability to allow you to hide even while observed, you would need to first distract any observers with Bluff.
B. Yes, provided you succeed on an additional Hide check made at a -5 penalty for each 5 feet of open space between you and the target (RC 92), but also, in this situation, no, because if they're in the darkness too, they have concealment, and you can't sneak attack a target that has concealment against you.

Whait what? I can't SA a target that has concealment? Now I really have to know where that rule is.
Edit: Nvm, I found it in the basic rogue texts. Man, that is going to cause problems...

[St Fan]

Q 106

Okay, this is a follow-up to my previous question, because it really needs to be cleared up.

A) First of all, where can you find more extensive/complete rules about holding the charge of a touch spell beyond the SRD? I know there are fuller rules for weaponlike spells on the Complete Arcane, but it doesn't cover holding the charge in detail.

B) The SRD specifies that making a touch attack while holding the charge of a damaging spell might cause a critical hit and/or sneak attack damage, following the full aforementioned rules for weaponlike spells, right?

C) The same SRD had that you can also make a normal unarmed strike or natural attack while holding the charge, and "If the attack hits, you deal normal damage for your unarmed attack or natural weapon and the spell discharges. If the attack misses, you are still holding the charge."

In this case, if the unarmed strike/natural attack is a critical hit and/or sneak attack, the extra damage (and damage type) are normal for this attack, but what about the discharged spell? It seems to be implied that you can't have twice a critical hit and/or sneak attack on the same attack, and so the discharged spell don't count anymore as a weaponlike spell at all...

[Khedrac]

Q 106

Okay, this is a follow-up to my previous question, because it really needs to be cleared up.

A) First of all, where can you find more extensive/complete rules about holding the charge of a touch spell beyond the SRD? I know there are fuller rules for weaponlike spells on the Complete Arcane, but it doesn't cover holding the charge in detail.

B) The SRD specifies that making a touch attack while holding the charge of a damaging spell might cause a critical hit and/or sneak attack damage, following the full aforementioned rules for weaponlike spells, right?

C) The same SRD had that you can also make a normal unarmed strike or natural attack while holding the charge, and "If the attack hits, you deal normal damage for your unarmed attack or natural weapon and the spell discharges. If the attack misses, you are still holding the charge."

In this case, if the unarmed strike/natural attack is a critical hit and/or sneak attack, the extra damage (and damage type) are normal for this attack, but what about the discharged spell? It seems to be implied that you can't have twice a critical hit and/or sneak attack on the same attack, and so the discharged spell don't count anymore as a weaponlike spell at all...

Interesting. In response to this I re-checked my PHB and then turned to the Rules Compendium, a book I don't know that well and normally forget I have access to.

Reading the PHB there is no suggestion that you can use an unarmed strike to deliver a held charge touch spell - but then there is also nothing to say that you cannot. However:

The following feats can be chosen to enhance the performance of weaponlike spells in combat.
...
Improved Unarmed Strike: You can add the damage of your unarmed strike to the damage of a touch spell by delivering the spell as a regular melee attack instead of a melee touch attack. The defender gets the full benefit of armor and shield, but if the attack hits, the unarmed strike deals normal damage over and above any damage the spell deals as it’s discharged. If the unarmed strike misses, then the spell isn’t discharged. If the unarmed strike scores a critical hit, damage from the spell isn’t multiplied.
So far as I can tell, the implication here is that if you use the held charge as a rider on another attack, it doesn't gain any attack adjustments, but beyond what is printed it's pretty much all DM's call.
There may be some other rules tucked in odd places, but they are not going to be easy to find.

So: A106
A Rules Compendium
B Correct
C See above, and correct, the spell cannot critical in this case.

[St Fan]

Very comprehensive response, thank you Khedrac.

Q 107
Still around the same theme... the chill touch spell seems to work like most touch-attacks weaponlike spells, but it has the particularity of not lasting for just one touch, but 1 touch attack by level. So...

A) Its duration is stated as "instantaneous", which is a bit ambiguous. My guess is that it concerns only the effects of one touch, i.e. the negative damage and strength damage can't be dispelled, but healed normally, correct? Otherwise, there's no way you can make 1 attack/level if the spell immediately ends.

B) Although the delivery mechanism is very likely to be similar to a spell you're holding the charge, it isn't spelled outright. So, unlike with a spell you're holding the charge, can you cast another spell without disrupting the remaining chill touch attacks you have?

C) If the answer to B) is yes, does that mean this spell can last indefinitely (in theory) until you've expended all attacks (unless hit with dispel magic)?

D) I thought of that one as obvious so I wasn't about to ask, but I can't find it clearly spelled out either... if you have more than one attack per round, you can make multiple touch attacks with chill touch during a full-attack action, right? Nothing restrict you to it once a round...

[YellowJohn]

Q108
A large (or larger) creature stands partially in and partially out of an Antimagic Field. Can it use (Su) abilities?

[Powerdork]

Q108
A large (or larger) creature stands partially in and partially out of an Antimagic Field. Can it use (Su) abilities?

A108

"Should a creature be larger than the area enclosed by the barrier, any part of it that lies outside the barrier is unaffected by the field."

I imagine this line suggests that the barrier created by antimagic field is, in fact, a barrier, and creatures and projectiles entering the field are specifically allowed to by an earlier line of the spell. That's based on a reading that emphasizes this line, however. For a normal reading of the spell, though, I think this just means "if you're large enough to be both inside and outside, part of you is affected (and it's the part inside)".

The rest is up to DM adjudication, as ever.

[Eladrinblade]

Q 109

Do you threaten squares while prone?

[Debatra]

A 109 Yes.

[Elves]

Q 110
RHD base attack bonus doesn't have the same limit as BAB from class levels. Does the same apply to base save bonus from RHD?

[Troacctid]

Very comprehensive response, thank you Khedrac.

Q 107
Still around the same theme... the chill touch spell seems to work like most touch-attacks weaponlike spells, but it has the particularity of not lasting for just one touch, but 1 touch attack by level. So...

A) Its duration is stated as "instantaneous", which is a bit ambiguous. My guess is that it concerns only the effects of one touch, i.e. the negative damage and strength damage can't be dispelled, but healed normally, correct? Otherwise, there's no way you can make 1 attack/level if the spell immediately ends.

B) Although the delivery mechanism is very likely to be similar to a spell you're holding the charge, it isn't spelled outright. So, unlike with a spell you're holding the charge, can you cast another spell without disrupting the remaining chill touch attacks you have?

C) If the answer to B) is yes, does that mean this spell can last indefinitely (in theory) until you've expended all attacks (unless hit with dispel magic)?

D) I thought of that one as obvious so I wasn't about to ask, but I can't find it clearly spelled out either... if you have more than one attack per round, you can make multiple touch attacks with chill touch during a full-attack action, right? Nothing restrict you to it once a round...
A) It's not ambiguous. It means you make all the attacks immediately, as part of the spell's casting.

Casting time takes precedence over normal rules for attacks, unless a spell’s description says otherwise. If a spell allows its caster to make multiple attacks and has a casting time of 1 standard action, all those attacks occur during that standard action. The caster uses the highest applicable attack bonus for each attack in such a case.
B) You cannot hold the charge for chill touch.

If the spell allows you to touch multiple targets as part of the spell, you can't hold the charge—you must touch all targets of the spell in the same turn that you finish casting the spell.
C) See above.
D) See above.

[St Fan]

A) It's not ambiguous. It means you make all the attacks immediately, as part of the spell's casting.

B) You cannot hold the charge for chill touch.

C) See above.
D) See above.

Are you saying that a 20-level caster can make 20 touch attacks in the single round the spell is cast?

[Debatra]

I believe Chill Touch is unique in that aspect, but yes.

[St Fan]

Q 111


An observer can feel around to find an invisible target by making a touch attack with appendages or a weapon into two adjacent 5-foot squares using a standard action. If an invisible target is in the designated area, the touch attack must hit despite that target’s total concealment. A touch attack that hits deals no damage but has successfully pinpointed the invisible target’s current location. If the invisible target then moves, its location becomes unknown again.

A) If I am holding the charge of a touch spell, and I try finding out the location of an invisible target with my bare hands, does managing to touch the creature as explained above also discharge the touch spell into it?

B) Does the spell true strike provide its usual bonuses to such an attempt?

[Doctor Despair]

Q 111



A) If I am holding the charge of a touch spell, and I try finding out the location of an invisible target with my bare hands, does managing to touch the creature as explained above also discharge the touch spell into it?

B) Does the spell true strike provides its usual bonuses to such an attempt?

A111

A: It should work, as you've successfuly made a melee touch attack.

B: It should, but you are still subject to the normal miss chance due to concealment.


A 111 Contention Actually, True strike negates the miss chance for concealment in addition to the +20 to an attack roll.

Ah, fair enough; my bad. I seldom use the spell, so I'd forgotten that part.

[Debatra]

A111

A: It should work, as you've successfuly made a melee touch attack.

B: It should, but you are still subject to the normal miss chance due to concealment.

A 111 Contention Actually, True strike negates the miss chance for concealment in addition to the +20 to an attack roll.

[Troacctid]

Are you saying that a 20-level caster can make 20 touch attacks in the single round the spell is cast?
Yes.


I believe Chill Touch is unique in that aspect, but yes.
There are a handful of other spells that work similarly.

[St Fan]

Q 112

I was pretty sure that incorporeality granted an immunity to sneak attack damage, independently of the creature's actual type, but I can't find it mentioned either in the SRD or Rule Compendium. So, can incorporeal creatures be sneak attacked (on the condition the attack can actually harm them in the first place)?

[Blue Jay]

Q 112

I was pretty sure that incorporeality granted an immunity to sneak attack damage, independently of the creature's actual type, but I can't find it mentioned either in the SRD or Rule Compendium. So, can incorporeal creatures be sneak attacked (on the condition the attack can actually harm them in the first place)?

A 112

It's not in the subtype's description in the Monster Manual glossary, but the PHB's glossary has this:

incorporeal: Having no physical body. Incorporeal creatures are
immune to all nonmagical attack forms. They can be harmed only by
other incorporeal creatures, +1 or better magic weapons, spells,
spell-like effects, or supernatural effects. Even when struck by spells,
magical effects, or magic weapons, however, they have a 50% chance
to ignore any damage from a corporeal source. In addition, rogues
cannot employ sneak attacks against incorporeal beings, since such
opponents have no vital areas to target. An incorporeal creature has
no armor or natural armor bonus (or loses any armor or natural
armor bonus it may have when corporeal), but it gains a deflection
bonus equal to its Charisma modifier or +1, whichever is greater.
Such creatures can move in any direction and even pass through
solid objects at will, but not through force effects. Therefore, their
attacks negate the bonuses provided by natural armor, armor, and
shields, but deflection bonuses and force effects (such as mage
armor) work normally against them. Incorporeal creatures have no
weight, do not leave footprints, have no scent and make no noise, so
they cannot be heard with Listen checks unless they wish it.
Incorporeal creatures cannot fall or take falling damage.

(emphasis added)

I'm not sure how to adjudicate the discrepancy between this and the MM glossary. I think the MM counts as the primary source here; but it doesn't seem like this bit from the PHB glossary directly contradicts anything in the MM, so I guess it still stands as RAW.

Also, the Hypertext SRD's "Special Abilities (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#incorporeality)" section says it much more directly:

Incorporeal creatures are immune to critical hits, extra damage from being favored enemies, and from sneak attacks.

(5th paragraph)

Of course, the provenance of the online SRDs is hard to determine, so I'm not sure if that text actually traces back to an official source.

[St Fan]

Very interesting. My guess is that, since most incorporeal creatures are undead, which are already immune to critical hits/sneak attacks by virtue of their type, it felt redundant to mention it again for the incorporeal subtype and thus is often omitted.

Still on that subject...
Q 112 B
There are some ways to inflict sneak attack damage on undead as if they were living creatures (notably the spell grave strike or the weapon augment greater truedeath crystal).

If the above rule is applied, should such magic allow inflicting sneak attack damage on spectral undead, or does the fact incorporeality prevents sneak attack damage separately from the undead type makes them inefficient?

[KillianHawkeye]

Re: 112

I've checked the 3.0 Monster Manual, the 3.5 Monster Manual, the errata file for the 3.5 Monster Manual, the updated description of the incorporeal subtype in Monster Manuals 3, 4, & 5, the Rules Compendium, and the expanded explanation of how to run incorporeal creatures in Libris Mortis, and I can't find the line about incorporeal creatures ignoring Sneak Attack in ANY of those documents.

The only place I can find it is on page 295 of the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide, which inexplicably contains this additional information.

[St Fan]

Q 113

From this few lines in the SRD...


The creator must have prepared the spell to be scribed (or must know the spell, in the case of a sorcerer or bard) and must provide any material component or focus the spell requires. If casting the spell would reduce the caster’s XP total, she pays the cost upon beginning the scroll in addition to the XP cost for making the scroll itself. Likewise, a material component is consumed when she begins writing, but a focus is not. (A focus used in scribing a scroll can be reused.)

Activating a scroll spell requires no material components or focus. (The creator of the scroll provided these when scribing the scroll.)

Activating a spell completion item is a standard action and provokes attacks of opportunity exactly as casting a spell does.

Please correct me if I'm wrong: casting, for example, a contingency spell from a scroll...

A) Would require just a standard action, not the 10 minutes it usually takes (plus the eventual casting time of the other spell...)

B) Would NOT requires to carry the 1500 gp ivory statuette focus, thus not risking the contingency to fail if lost...

[ciopo]

Q 114
I am a druid under the effect of the wreath of flame spell, I am fightning a troll that drank a resist energy (fire) potion.
Assuming Ican bring the troll to uncounsciousness, can I coup de grace it? Is the wreath of flame rider elemental damage multiplied on the automatic critical hit?

[Khedrac]

A 114 No - because the spell does an additional one dice of damage it is not multipied on a crit (where additional dice are never multiplied).

[ciopo]

Q 115
can an unconscious creature with regeneration be coup-de-grace'd by an attack that does not bypass regeneration?, such as a troll and normal melee damage for an example.

Q 116 how much lethal damage needs to be done to an unconscious creature to kill it? my reading of the Injury and death srd points me at "you need to deal creature total HP+ 10 lethal damage to kill a creature", that it has "1 billion" nonlethal damage does not factor in it at all, but I'd like confirmation that this is correct

[Debatra]

A 115 No.

A 116 Correct. No amount of nonlethal damage can kill a creature.

[Vaern]

A 115 No.

A 116 Correct. No amount of nonlethal damage can kill a creature.

The coup de grace section doesn't specify that lethal damage needs to dealt, only that you must be adjacent to the target. The target can't die from the damage, but it should still force a save vs. death.

[Debatra]

The coup de grace section doesn't specify that lethal damage needs to dealt, only that you must be adjacent to the target. The target can't die from the damage, but it should still force a save vs. death.

True, but the section on regeneration also specifies that you can't coup de grace a creature with regeneration unless you do so with an attack that would deal lethal damage to it.

[Vaern]

True, but the section on regeneration also specifies that you can't coup de grace a creature with regeneration unless you do so with an attack that would deal lethal damage to it.
Whoops, guess that's my bad for not checking for the more specific case under regeneration. I know there's a few odd things that don't care about regeneration, like drowning being considered lethal damage even if the subject has regeneration. I guess the coup de grace death save isn't one of those cases :o

[St Fan]

Q 117

About the Spellthief's Steal Spell ability or the Mage of the Arcane Order's Spellpool...

A)

A spellthief must cast a stolen spell (or use its energy to cast one of his own spells) within 1 hour of stealing it; otherwise, the extra spell energy fades harmlessly away.


The spell appears in the caster's mind at the beginning of his next turn and can be used immediately. However, if he does not cast the called spell within a number of minutes equal to his caster level, it fades from his mind as though cast.

Does that means that spells with a casting time greater than these limits (some spells take 30 minutes, an hour or more to cast) cannot be cast at all through Spellpool or Steal Spell?

B) Does a character who's a Dweomerkeeper in addition to either of these classes can use the Supernatural Spell ability on a stolen spell or a spell called from the Spellpool?

[Bowbreaker]

Q 118
This has probably been asked many times:

If I have the Improved Trip feat and am wielding a one-handed non-trip weapon (like a Longsword) and a shield, or a two-handed non-trip weapon (like a Greatsword), can I use my legs to trip without provoking an AoO and then follow that up with an attack from my weapon if I successfully drop my opponent prone?

[Troacctid]

Q 117

About the Spellthief's Steal Spell ability or the Mage of the Arcane Order's Spellpool...

A)




Does that means that spells with a casting time greater than these limits (some spells take 30 minutes, an hour or more to cast) cannot be cast at all through Spellpool or Steal Spell?
They only fade if you do not cast them. You are considered to be casting the spell as a full-round action during every round of the spell's casting time (RC 125).


B) Does a character who's a Dweomerkeeper in addition to either of these classes can use the Supernatural Spell ability on a stolen spell or a spell called from the Spellpool?
Dweomerkeeper only allows it for spells that you either know or have prepared. You can argue that spellpool spells would count because they occupy a spell slot and are therefore prepared—I don't think it's a super strong argument, but you could make it. Spellthieves, on the other hand, are SOL no matter how you slice it.


Q 118
This has probably been asked many times:

If I have the Improved Trip feat and am wielding a one-handed non-trip weapon (like a Longsword) and a shield, or a two-handed non-trip weapon (like a Greatsword), can I use my legs to trip without provoking an AoO and then follow that up with an attack from my weapon if I successfully drop my opponent prone?
Yes.

[Debatra]

Q 119 Where is it written in what order to apply effects/abilities?

For example, a Bone Rat Swarm (Libris Mortis, page 88) has the ability of all Tiny swarms to take half damage from piercing and slashing weapons. It also has DR 5/Bludgeoning. Would a piercing attack that normally does ten damage deal two damage ((10-5)/2) or zero (10/2-5)?

[Troacctid]

Q 119 Where is it written in what order to apply effects/abilities?

For example, a Bone Rat Swarm (Libris Mortis, page 88) has the ability of all Tiny swarms to take half damage from piercing and slashing weapons. It also has DR 5/Bludgeoning. Would a piercing attack that normally does ten damage deal two damage ((10-5)/2) or zero (10/2-5)?
There is no special rule for order of operations in D&D. The DM decides. As far as RAI, though, Sage Advice has suggested using whichever order is most beneficial.

[Elves]

Q 120
You have an immediate action teleportation ability. You're attacked and want to use the teleportation ability to escape. Can you wait until the attacker has made their attack roll (ie, to see if it hits you) and then teleport away before they roll damage to avoid any damage it would deal?

In other words, how granular is your ability to take immediate actions during another creature's action?

[Thurbane]

Q 119 Where is it written in what order to apply effects/abilities?

For example, a Bone Rat Swarm (Libris Mortis, page 88) has the ability of all Tiny swarms to take half damage from piercing and slashing weapons. It also has DR 5/Bludgeoning. Would a piercing attack that normally does ten damage deal two damage ((10-5)/2) or zero (10/2-5)?


There is no special rule for order of operations in D&D. The DM decides. As far as RAI, though, Sage Advice has suggested using whichever order is most beneficial.

While the RAW status of the FAQ is often contested, it does have a couple of entries which are somewhat relevant to this:


When do “add-on” effects such as poison occur? For example, if an assassin delivers a death attack with a weapon bearing wyvern poison, does the poison take effect first, thus potentially reducing the target’s Fortitude save against the death attack?
As a general guideline, whenever the rules don’t stipulate an order of operations for special effects (such as spells or special abilities), you should apply them in the order that’s most beneficial to the “controller” of the effect. In this case, the assassin is the “controller” of both the poison and the death attack, so he’d most likely choose for the poison to take effect first, and then the death attack.


If a monster has resistance and vulnerability to the same kind of damage (such as fire), which effect is applied first? And when does the saving throw come in?
Always roll a saving throw before applying any effects that would increase or reduce the damage dealt. For example, if a frost giant is struck by a fireball that would deal 35 points of damage, it would roll its Reflex save, then apply its vulnerability to fire after determining how much damage the fireball would normally deal. If the save failed, the frost giant would take 52 points of damage: 35 + one-half of 35 (17.5, rounded down to 17). A successful save would mean the frost giant suffered only 25 points of damage: one-half of 35 rounded down (17), plus one-half of 17 rounded down (8).
If the creature has both resistance and vulnerability to the same kind of damage, apply the resistance (which reduces the damage dealt by the effect) before applying the vulnerability(which increases the damage taken by the creature). For example, imagine our frost giant wore a ring of minor fire resistance (granting resistance to fire 10). If the save failed, the frost giant would take 37 points of fire damage: 35 (fireball) –10 (resistance to fire 10) = 25, plus one-half of 25 (12.5, rounded down to 12). If the save succeeded, the frost giant would take only 10 points of damage: 17 (half damage from the fireball, rounded down) – 10 (resistance to fire 10) = 7, plus one-half of 7 (3.5, rounded down to 3).
As a general guideline, whenever the rules don’t stipulate an order of operations for special effects (such as spells or special abilities), you should apply them in the order that’s most beneficial to the creature. In the case of damage, this typically means applying any damage-reducing effects first, before applying any effects that would increase damage.

[Troacctid]

Q 120
You have an immediate action teleportation ability. You're attacked and want to use the teleportation ability to escape. Can you wait until the attacker has made their attack roll (ie, to see if it hits you) and then teleport away before they roll damage to avoid any damage it would deal?

In other words, how granular is your ability to take immediate actions during another creature's action?
If you wait long enough for them to make a successful attack roll, you're going to be taking the damage, unless the teleport effect specifically says otherwise. If the attack roll beats your AC, it means they hit you. You have to make the decision before then.

[Doctor Despair]

Q121

I'm having difficulty finding rulestext on this. If an Incorporeal living creature is inside of an object, will it start to suffocate after a time? Or is there some hidden clause I'm missing that waives their need to breath?

Q122

Does the telepathy granted from Fell Conspiracy qualify one to take Mindsight (using it while the ritual is active)?

[Debatra]

A 121 Rules compendium, page 64. "An incorporeal creature has no physical body. It doesn’t need to eat, drink, or breathe, and indeed can’t do these things since it can’t affect physical objects, even air."

[Troacctid]

Q122

Does the telepathy granted from Fell Conspiracy qualify one to take Mindsight (using it while the ritual is active)?
Strictly speaking, no. It doesn't require the ability to communicate telepathically, it requires the telepathy special quality, specifically. Kalashtars and ghostwise halflings need not apply.

[Doctor Despair]

Strictly speaking, no. It doesn't require the ability to communicate telepathically, it requires the telepathy special quality, specifically. Kalashtars and ghostwise halflings need not apply.

Q122.2

Does the Telthor special quality qualify?


Telthor Telepathy (Su): Telthors can communicate with one another telepathically, regardless of language, at a range of 100 feet.

[Troacctid]

Q122.2

Does the Telthor special quality qualify?
Different name, different effect, I would say no.

[Falontani]

Q 123
Okay this is going to sound really dumb. But where does it specify that a prone creature can't move at their normal land speed. I found the specific action that specifies you can crawl while prone, but... being able to do something does not prohibit you from doing something else that you can normally do. Like I understand that a DM will probably adjudicate this and state that while prone you can't use your normal movement, but is there any specific rule that lowers or takes away your normal land speed while prone.

[Bobur]

Q#124

When casting a spell as a Full-round-action, when exactly do you chose the target? At the start of the casting or only once it is finished?

[Khedrac]

A 124 You choose the target of a spell at the completion of its casting time.

[St Fan]

Q 125

Does the "materials and costs" of 100 gp per page to inscribe a new spell on a spellbook count as manufactured goods?

Thus, can you use the craft skill (my guess would be Craft[alchemy], since it's mostly special inks) to create them at 1/3 the cost, given you have enough time and a proper Alchemist's lab?

[NotInventedHere]

Q 126
If you cast the Shadow Walk spell while on the Plane of Shadow, can you use it to travel to the Material Plane?

[Saint-Just]

Q 127 Are Corruption (and Obeisance, but nobody cares about Obeisance) points in the FC2 supposed to be straight up added, so kicking two puppies (ok, injuring two puppies for no good reason) at three points each is worth six points, the same as a cold-blooded murder?

[YellowJohn]

Q128
The spell Thunderlance (SC) states:
"When you cast this spell, you create a deadly lance of force" which you can then wield as a weapon.
Can you cast (Greater) Magic Weapon on this?

[Tanalei]

When multiclassing is there always an XP penalty?

[Doctor Despair]

Q129
When multiclassing is there always an XP penalty?

A129

There is an XP penalty if you multiclass between two or more base classes that are not close enough to each other in level. If your race has a favored class, that class does not count against your character for penalties, so you may multiclass between that favored class and any other class freely. These limits do not apply to prestige classes.