Simple Q&A (By RAW) IV

[Roland St. Jude]

(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).

If your question is about real world weapons and armor ask it here.
If your question is about homebrew rulings start a thread here.
If you are looking for the meaning of an acronym or abbreviation look here.
You may want to skim the old Q&A thread to see if your question has already been asked and answered here.

The Procedure:

Do:
Label your questions with bold Q#s.
Label your answers with the bold Q# that you are responding to and/or quote the question.
Be sure that your answer is correct before you post it; if you are the least bit uncertain, just let it pass and get the next one.
Try to give your answers in as clear and straightforward terms as possible.
Feel free to quote or link to relevant rules in the SRD, Errata, or FAQ that supports your answer. (You may want to give your answer and then modify it to add support – otherwise someone else may answer while you’re assembling yours.)
Specify if your question is for a system other than D&D (the default for this thread).

Don’t:
Ask Homebrew rules questions here.
Ask trick questions or attempt to “stump the panel,” so to speak.
Answer a question that’s already been answered.
Offer contradictions, clarifications, exceptions, or extensions of prior answers unless, in your opinion, the answer give is plainly and completely wrong.
Post to debate the answers given.
Post to carry on other conversations whether tangentially related or wholly unrelated.

Dispute Resolution Procedure:
If you dispute someone’s answer – meaning that they got it wrong in a critical fashion – post your answer and suggest that the original questioner start a thread to discuss it further if they want it hashed out.
If someone disputes your answer, don’t respond. Just wait to see if the original questioner starts a new thread to discuss it.
If your question leads to a disputed answer, start a new thread if you’d like it discussed further.

Here are some sample questions. “Bad” questions just mean they should be asked in their own thread where you can get many answers and opinions. “Good” questions just mean that these are the types of questions that are amenable to a quick straightforward answer (probably).

Sample “Bad” Questions:
How do I play D&D? (Great question, but not for this thread.)
What is a good 10 level TWF build? (Far too broad and requires much opinion)
What +2 LA race should I take for my sorcerer build? (Again, an opinion question)
Which is better GURPS or D&D?

Sample “Good” Questions:
Q.1. Are there any Large +0 LA races?
Q.2.As a sorcerer/rogue, do I get to add sneak attack damage to my attack spells?
Q.3. What effect would Dispel Magic have on a golem or similar construct?
Q.4. Is there a feat that allows me to get a familiar?
Q.5. Where can I find this “Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil” everyone is talking about?
Q.6. What is GURPS?

{The first few versions of this thread seemed to run pretty efficiently, but if you have any comments about how this thread could be improved please PM me.}

Please start over with the numbering. Thanks.

[TheLogman]

Q.1 What does the word "PEACH" mean in the title of something Homebrewed?

[Roland St. Jude]

A.1. "PEACH" is an acronym for "Please Examine And Critique Honestly." (Sometimes "Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly.") It's meant to discriminate between homebrew that is seeking real criticism and that which is only seeking praise or isn't really ready to be looked at by others.

(It's really pretty pointless. If you put something up, you should expect honest criticism or any other response, within the board rules. We remove PEACH from thread titles as a matter of course here.)

[Awetugiw]

Q2 Is there any reason the archmage's Arcane Reach ability wouldn't work with touch spells with multiple targets? Say, teleport?

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

A. 002

No, but you have to hit with a ranged touch attack and should now also be making touch attacks based on BAB instead of being able to touch 6 friends normally.

[TheOOB]

Q.3 When using Unearthed Arcana's rules for Reducing Level Adjustments at what levels would a human natural werewolf (2 HD, +3 LA) be able to buyback a LA, and how much experiance would they need total to become character level 20 with no LA?

[TheLogman]

Q. 4 Are there any spells with the descriptor [Universal] besides the five in the Player's Handbook?

EDIT: I see now that there are five, thank you for the info, but are there any in Splat-books/other things?

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

A. 003

You may eligible for a LA decrease when you have character levels equaling three time your LA. At that point you can pay an XP-cost to have the LA reduced by one.

A werewolf (natural) with a +3 LA can reduce at 9th class level or ECL 14. (reduction cost 13,000 xp)
The next reduction is possible 6 class levels later (15th class levels total) or ECL 19 (15 class levels + 2 racial HD + 2 LA). (reduction cost 18,000 xp)
The last reduction takes another 3 class levels (18th class levels total) or ECL 21 (18 class levels + 2 racial HD + 1 LA). (reduction cost 20,000 xp)

For the total XP cost you add what it takes to get to level 21 + 13,000 + 18,000 + 20,000

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

A. 004 Partial

There are five in the PHB:

arcane mark, limited wish, permanency, prestidigitation, and wish.

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

A3: He would be able to buy back levels at ECL 14th, 19th, and 22nd level.

21st I believe. 18 levels + 2 HD + 1 LA.

[Kizara]

Q: 5

Is there any way to cast 'personal' range divine spells on an ally?

And saying "yes, if it's a familiar or animal companion" is only helpful if you provide a remotely-possible way for your human ally to be considered your 'animal companion'.

[Citizen Joe]

A 5

Stick the personal spell in a wand or scroll. Then the target can Use Magical Device to activate it. It can also be put into a magic item and used that way.

EDIT: And Imbue with Spell Ability will let the recipient cast some personal spells too.

[Jasdoif]

Q006

Is the recipient of imbue with spell ability capable of activating spell trigger items containing the granted spell(s)? What about spell completion items?

[Citizen Joe]

A006

Imbue with spell ability does not grant you spell lists, just the spells given to you. Thus it doesn't strictly qualify any more than if he didn't have the Imbue with spell ability.

[yango]

Q007

If a Duskblade with Arcane Channeling (full attack) used the Combat Rhythm ability from the Stormguard Warrior feat (Tome of Battle), and channeled a spell with it that did damage (e.g. Shocking Grasp), would the spell still deal damage on each hit, even though the attacks didn't?

[Grumlich]

Q008

What are the rules for bleeding to death in D&D?

Q009

If a character has cast Project Image and that image is hit by an attack, what happens to the image? Does the attacker make a will save each time it swings at and hits the image?

[squishycube]

A008
I don't understand exactly what you mean, so I'll cover as much as possible.
- Dying:

Dying (-1 to -9 Hit Points)

When your character’s current hit points drop to between -1 and -9 inclusive, he’s dying.

A dying character immediately falls unconscious and can take no actions.

A dying character loses 1 hit point every round. This continues until the character dies or becomes stable (see below).
Dead (-10 Hit Points or Lower)

When your character’s current hit points drop to -10 or lower, or if he takes massive damage (see above), he’s dead. A character can also die from taking ability damage or suffering an ability drain that reduces his Constitution to 0.

The section in the SRD about death and dying also mentions recovering from negative hit points, either by yourself (with a large chance of bleeding to death) or with help.

Some abilities deal damage for several rounds, or on several occasions with a larger interval (like poisions, two times with a minute in between).

A009
Disbelief
A successful save lets the subject ignore the effect.

If the attacker succeeds its will save, the illusion is clearly an illusion but still visible. I am not sure whether one save is made, or a new save for each interaction. I'd opt for a new save each time. I have no more time, so I can't check FAQ. Maybe someone else can verify this.

Sorry Yango, but I don't know the answer to your question (Core+Psionics Rules only )

[Chineselegolas]

Q010
A barbarian with the lion spiritual totem from Complete Champion can make a full attack on the charge. A sugliin (from Frostburn) requires a full round action to attack.
As a full attack is a full round action, is a sugliin able to be used on the charge by a lion totem barbarian?

Q011
Can you make an AoO with a sugliin?

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

A. 010

A full round action is not the same as a full attack even if they both require a full round action.

You need the Sugliin Mastery feat to be able to use the weapon normally.

A. 011

Yes, IIRC you still threaten with the weapon, even without the Sugliin Mastery feat.

[Spelluck]

Q012

How often does mommy rot pulse? After the intial CON/CHR hit how long will it be before the character will need to roll another save?

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

A. 012

You need to roll a save every day (as normal for diseases).

[Curmudgeon]

Q. 4 Are there any spells with the descriptor [Universal] besides the five in the Player's Handbook?

A 4: Yes.

Oh, you want more details? OK, then, there are 4 [Universal] spells involving familiars in Spell Compendium:

• Enhance Familiar
• Familiar Pocket
• Fortify Familiar
• Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability

[Curmudgeon]

Q: 5

Is there any way to cast 'personal' range divine spells on an ally?

A 5

The most generally useable way is via a Ring of Spell Storing. Cast the spell(s) into the Ring, then hand the Ring to your ally. Unlike the method requiring your ally to have Use Magic Device skill, this works for anybody who can use magic items (so excludes those with Vow of Poverty).

[Glaivemaster]

Q. 012 Seems like a bit of a silly question, but when a creature has an attack listed as, for example "2 claws +4 melee (damage)" does that count as one attack, which uses both claws, or an attack that can be used twice, with separate rolls to hit?

[Curmudgeon]

A 7: Yes.

The Arcane Channeling ability states

If the melee attack is successful, the attack deals damage normally; then the effect of the spell is resolved.

The Combat Rhythm ability sutstitutes melee touch attacks in place of normal melee attacks, but Arcane Channeling works with any type of melee attack. The attack deals 0 damage as normal, followed by the damage from the channeled spell.

[Curmudgeon]

A 12

It's 2 separate attacks of identical type (1 for each claw), rolled independently.

[Alveanerle]

Q. 013
Would it be possible for the first post of this thread to link to all previous "Simble Q&A" threads instead of just the first one?
Might be potentialy helpful to newcomers.
Just an idea.

[Zen Master]

Q. 14 The psionic power empathic transfer, hostile - states that by augmenting the power with 6 points, you do damage to everyone within 20 feet.

My question is this - does everyone in the area take the full damage, or do creatures in the area share the damage?

Basically, a psionic creature can do 90 points of damage at level 15, will save for half, to everyone within the area. Is this correct or not?

From SRD:
Empathic Transfer, Hostile
Telepathy [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Telepath 3, psychic warrior 3
Display: Auditory and material
Manifesting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will half
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 5

You transfer your hurt to another. When you manifest this power and then make a successful touch attack, you can transfer 50 points of damage (or less, if you choose) from yourself to the touched creature. You immediately regain hit points equal to the amount of damage you transfer.

You cannot use this power to gain hit points in excess of your full normal total. The transferred damage is empathic in nature, so powers and abilities the subject may have such as damage reduction and regeneration do not lessen or change this damage.

The damage transferred by this power has no type, so even if the subject has immunity to the type of damage you originally took, the transfer occurs normally and deals hit point damage to the subject.
Augment

You can augment this power in one or both of the following ways.

1. For every additional power point you spend, you can transfer an additional 10 points of damage (maximum 90 points per manifestation).
2. If you spend 6 additional power points, this power affects all creatures in a 20-foot-radius spread centered on you.

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

A. 014

Everyone potentially takes full damage. There is no mention of dividing it between the creatures affected just as you do not divide the damage done by a Fireball.

[Zen Master]

A. 014

Everyone potentially takes full damage. There is no mention of dividing it between the creatures affected just as you do not divide the damage done by a Fireball.

I know. My reasoning is that you transfer damage done to you. So the total sum of damage you have taken is the damage you can transfer. Dunno - I thought it was worth asking.