Ok so how does share spell work?

[Charity]

I posed a Question in the Q&A thread here

it turned up some interesting problems and a disagreement, so I shall ask you all as a whole which one is right? If you read the next six or so posts and then here and here

Also what would you guys do about things like Flame blade?

[Mewtarthio]

At the druid’s option, she may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) she casts upon herself also affect her animal companion. The animal companion must be within 5 feet of her at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the animal companion if the companion moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the animal again, even if it returns to the druid before the duration expires.
Additionally, the druid may cast a spell with a target of "You" on her animal companion (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself. A druid and her animal companion can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type (animal).

Nothing about splitting numerical values.

Re: Flame Blade, I doubt that your animal companion can weild the Flame Blade properly. Besides, you aren't casting it on yourself: If you reread the description, you're casting a spell with a range of 0

[tarbrush]

Basically, it's a really vaguely worded ability. However, wizards have buried this rather handy guide to it somewhere in their website where you'd never think to look. Cos they're helpful like that.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20050913a

[Charity]

In spite of the foregoing, some aspects of the master and familiar always remain distinct. The master and familiar have two separate pools of hit points. If the master casts a cure wounds spell, the hit points bestowed must go either to the master or to the familiar. If points are left over after the chosen recipient reaches full hit points, the excess can go to the other pool. In a similar fashion, the master and familiar both have their own ability scores, and magic that enhances or improves an ability score must all go to either the master or the familiar.

As it goes it looks like Raum was right all along, thanks Tarbrush and of course Raum. Oops and Mewtarthio for the flameblade doobrie

[Raum]

Must admit I misremembered the source, glad you found it. Also have to say the article is by Skip Williams...so take it for what it's worth. His explanation of separate "pools" does make sense though.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Flame Blade has no target. You don't cast the spell on anyone or anything, let alone yourself. It would therefore be ineligible for sharing. You just cast it, and it produces an effect.

[Merlin the Tuna]

The problem with Skip's explanation is that it doesn't make any sense. He gives no justification for what functions as the ability describes it and what doesn't. He literally provides no reasoning for why a spell would fully or partially affect the familiar/companion, merely that "sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't." Oi. His articles are always sloppy, but this is just a mess.

[Stephen_E]

The problem with Skip's explanation is that it doesn't make any sense. He gives no justification for what functions as the ability describes it and what doesn't. He literally provides no reasoning for why a spell would fully or partially affect the familiar/companion, merely that "sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't." Oi. His articles are always sloppy, but this is just a mess.

Actually I had no problem working out the logic behind the "non-share" touch spells. "Pump" spells (Healling and most buffs) are simply to cheesy/munchkin, i.e. purely metagame.

I would like to know if Barkskin can be shared (I think the answer is yes) in which case you can apply the rule - Any spell which has a "mass" version can't be shared (at least not in the most broad sense of both targets getting the full effect).
Otherwise you stuck with - Healing spells can share one spells worth of healing between sharers (although "Heal" is still awesome), and
- Spells that change ability stats can't be shared at all.

Stephen

[Raum]

I understand the metagame reasons limiting shared spells affecting hit points and attributes, but you're correct, the "separate pools" explanation does begin to break down. Familiars share hit dice, BAB, base saves, and base skill ranks with their masters, animal companions don't share any thing I can think of...at all.

However, I agree with the metagame goal of not doubling healing and / or permanent attribute bonuses (Wish, tomes, etc).

So what's the best mechanic to accomplish that?

[Stephen_E]

So what's the best mechanic to accomplish that?

1st define fully shared = Casting the spell on the dominant partner causes a duplicate spell to be cast on the minor partner.
Partly shared = Casting the spell on the dominant partner allows you to share numeric quantities between the two. Fixed values must be distributed in even numbers if possible, i.e. Bulls Strength must be 4/0, 2/2 or 0/4 points of strength. Variable quantities can be distribited as you like. (This stops increasing odd number stats by odd numbers for greater bonus to modifiers).

Then say that any spell that has a "mass" vesion can't be fully shared, and permanent spells can't be fully shared. (Given the way permanent stat gains work, anyone who wants to split a stat boost book with a companion/familiar should be allowed. They losing out from it).

Would this work?

Stephen