Simple RAW Thread for 3.5 #35: 3/2 Score And Four Threads Ago

[Aotrs Commander]

Q492: DMG says a creature that is subject to nonlethal damage is "beset by frostbite or hypothermia" (and treats them as fatigue). Frostburn contradicts this as it treats both conditions as seperate, but the wording doesn't say "or" it says under each condition that a character that takes nonlethal damge from cold or exposure is beset by that condition (but as says "as it says in the DMG..."). Is the assumption then that a creature should be subject to both or one or the other? (50/50 maybe, but it never makes a suggestion.) It's highly unclear.

[Mrark]

Q493
About contingency spell: can I have as a contingent spell a cleric spell if he casts the spell when I cast contingency? The contingency spell says that they have to be cast at the same time, not that "you have to cast them at the same time"

[daremetoidareyo]

Q.494 Can you initiate a maneuver while you are raging?

Q495can you iron heart surge away your rage?

[St Fan]

Q493
About contingency spell: can I have as a contingent spell a cleric spell if he casts the spell when I cast contingency? The contingency spell says that they have to be cast at the same time, not that "you have to cast them at the same time"

A 493
Sorry, but the spell description is clearer than you think.

"You can place another spell upon your person"

In a spell description, "you" always designate the caster of the spell. So, the only one that can place the companion spell is the caster, and only on his person. He cannot cast contingency on another, and cannot receive the spell from another.

On the other hand, it can be a clerical spell if the character is capable of casting both them and contingency (a mystic theurge, for example), since the description doesn't limit it to arcane spells.

[Wonton64]

Q496 What happens if you try to polymorph/wildshape/etc into a Large or greater form when a creature occupies a space your new form would enter?

[King of Nowhere]

Q497: when you use a magic bow with magic arrows, do the enhancement boosts stack? I've always considered it so and never questioned it, but I just realize they are both enhancement - although one is from the weapon and one is from the arrow

Q498: when using a contingency, can you use someone else to cast the companion spell? I've always assumed that you have to cast the companion spell, but I was pointed out that nobody in the spell description is that said. it only says that they are cast at the same time.

[Khedrac]

A497 3.0: Yes, they stack. 3.5: No, they don't.


A498: You have to cast the contingent spell.

You can place another spell...

[Troacctid]

Q497: when you use a magic bow with magic arrows, do the enhancement boosts stack? I've always considered it so and never questioned it, but I just realize they are both enhancement - although one is from the weapon and one is from the arrow

They do not stack.

The enhancement bonus from a ranged weapon does not stack with the enhancement bonus from ammunition. Only the higher of the two enhancement bonuses applies.

Q498: when using a contingency, can you use someone else to cast the companion spell? I've always assumed that you have to cast the companion spell, but I was pointed out that nobody in the spell description is that said. it only says that they are cast at the same time.

You have to cast it yourself. (This is not the case for Craft Contingent Spell, though.)

Q.494 Can you initiate a maneuver while you are raging?

Sure, unless it requires an incompatible skill (looking at you, Diamond Mind).

Q495can you iron heart surge away your rage?

Sure.

EDIT:

A497 3.0: Yes, they stack. 3.5: No, they don't.

Historical correction, in 3.0, masterwork enhancement bonuses could stack, but not magical enhancement bonuses.

Masterwork ranged weapon bonuses to attack and masterwork ammunition (arrows, crossbow bolts, and sling bullets) attack bonuses stack with each other (but not with enhancement bonuses).

[Mrark]

Q499
Question about shapechange: if I were to cast it to turn myself in a Pit Fiend, would my equipment still stay on me, adapting to my new form? Or not? or just a part of it? If so, what items would I keep? and are the bonus from "shapechanged items" lost or do they still count?

[Jowgen]

Q 500 (Woot!)

Does Piece Magical Concealment overcome the Miss chance caused by an Eversmoking Bottle?

[Kaleph]

Q499
Question about shapechange: if I were to cast it to turn myself in a Pit Fiend, would my equipment still stay on me, adapting to my new form? Or not? or just a part of it? If so, what items would I keep? and are the bonus from "shapechanged items" lost or do they still count?

A499 Yes, since the pit fiend can be reasonably considered as having a humanoid-like form. This article (which belongs to the "rules of the game" series, i.e. quite more reliable than the FAQ) provides more information:

For purposes of most polymorph effects, one can divide creatures into types that have basically humanoid shapes and those that do not, as follows:

Humanoid Shapes Nonhumanoid Shapes
Fey Aberration
Giant Animal
Humanoid Dragon
Monstrous Humanoid Elemental
Outsider* Ooze
Vermin
*Most, but not all outsiders have humanoid shapes.

[Mrark]

Q501
For all the spells who state "one every x levels": where do I start the counting?
Let's say, I am a level 4 wizard casting mirror image: the spell states "When mirror image is cast, 1d4 images plus one image per three caster levels (maximum eight images total) are created."
So at 4th level, do I get 1d4+2 mirror images or 1d4+1?

[Debatra]

A 501 While some spells specify otherwise, you usually start counting at level one. So something that happens at every three levels would happen at levels three, six, nine, etc.

[Mrark]

A 501 While some spells specify otherwise, you usually start counting at level one. So something that happens at every three levels would happen at levels three, six, nine, etc.

If you start at level one, shouldn't it be 1-4-7-10 etc..?

[KillianHawkeye]

If you start at level one, shouldn't it be 1-4-7-10 etc..?

"+1 per three caster levels" is one at level 3, two at level six, three at level nine, et cetera.

If it's something that you'd be able to cast at a lower level, they usually have a minimum of +1.

[thethird]

Q502: Is [Earth] an energy descriptor? I know it's a spell descriptor. I know it might not be a type of energy damage. But is it an energy descriptor?

Asking to know if an [earth] spell, like hail of stone, would be a valid target for a metamagic that requires an energy descriptor, like elemental admixture.

[Troacctid]

Q502: Is [Earth] an energy descriptor? I know it's a spell descriptor. I know it might not be a type of energy damage. But is it an energy descriptor?

Asking to know if an [earth] spell, like hail of stone, would be a valid target for a metamagic that requires an energy descriptor, like elemental admixture.

No.

Q 500 (Woot!)

Does Piece Magical Concealment overcome the Miss chance caused by an Eversmoking Bottle?

No.

[Thurbane]

Q503

Maybe a stupid question, but...

Are the Githyanki detailed in Manual of the Planes a distinct race from the psionic Githyanki in XPH? Is one an update of the other? If they are distinct races, are the MoTP version playable, with an LA listed?

[Powerdork]

A503: The "FREE D&D® V.3.5 ACCESSORY UPDATE" for Manual of the Planes makes no special mention of githyanki; the Monster Manual is the primary source for githyanki in a regular campaign (being the 3.5 printing of the race), while the Expanded Psionics Handbook asserts itself as the source for githyanki in a psionic campaign instead. Whether your setting uses the Manual of the Planes githyanki as well is your call, but there is no LA to give.

[Thurbane]

A503: The "FREE D&D® V.3.5 ACCESSORY UPDATE" for Manual of the Planes makes no special mention of githyanki; the Monster Manual is the primary source for githyanki in a regular campaign (being the 3.5 printing of the race), while the Expanded Psionics Handbook asserts itself as the source for githyanki in a psionic campaign instead. Whether your setting uses the Manual of the Planes githyanki as well is your call, but there is no LA to give.

I completely forgot Githyanki appear in the MM, d'oh!

[Afghanistan]

Q504

Is there a limit to the number of Relics a character can be attuned too? Relics from Complete Divine.

[King of Nowhere]

Q505: when you use wish to get an inherent bonus to a physical stat, and then you polimorph, replacing your physical stats with that of the new form, do you keep the bonus on the new form, or not?

[St Fan]

Q505: when you use wish to get an inherent bonus to a physical stat, and then you polimorph, replacing your physical stats with that of the new form, do you keep the bonus on the new form, or not?

A 505
An inherent bonus is still a bonus, so it is added to the new physical stat.

Note that this is also true on the other side for ability damage or drain.

[Troacctid]

Q504

Is there a limit to the number of Relics a character can be attuned too? Relics from Complete Divine.

In theory, no. In practice, two, since you must be devoted to a single deity to activate the relic powers of their relics, and no deity has more than two relics. However, you could still use relics from other deities without activating their relic powers, assuming you are the correct alignment (or can fake the correct alignment with a Use Magic Device check).

[InvisibleBison]

Q506 Is there a way to make non-core spells permanent? In particular, I'm trying to find a way to make dark way permanent rather than 1/round per level.

Q507 Is there a way to make antimagic field centered on an object or a point in space, rather than on the caster?

[Powerdork]

Q506 Is there a way to make non-core spells permanent? In particular, I'm trying to find a way to make dark way permanent rather than 1/round per level.

A506: Barring more sure-fire answers, the permanency spell description states that you can't know what your DM thinks of letting you use permanency unless you attempt the research, so it's worth attempting.

The DM may allow other selected spells to be made permanent. Researching this possible application of a spell costs as much time and money as independently researching the selected spell (see the Dungeon Master’s Guide for details). If the DM has already determined that the application is not possible, the research automatically fails. Note that you never learn what is possible except by the success or failure of your research.

Q507 Is there a way to make antimagic field centered on an object or a point in space, rather than on the caster?

A greater glyph of warding spell glyph lets a sorcerer, wizard, or caster with the magic or protection domains center an antimagic field on an "intruder".
On the Material Plane, the anchor plane power (Faiths of Eberron p. 152) creates a manifest zone with one planar trait from a plane you choose; if you're not in Eberron, then ask your DM about emulating the limited magic of the Outlands, or find a plane in the cosmology you're using that has a suitable limited magic trait.

[St Fan]

Q506 Is there a way to make non-core spells permanent? In particular, I'm trying to find a way to make dark way permanent rather than 1/round per level.

A 506 addition

Beyond the permanency spell, there are also the basic rules for creating magic items, which include the possibility of having a spell effect be continuous for the wearer. This is the most expensive option, and with a spell that has a duration in rounds said cost is further multiplied by 4, but that should work.

[King of Nowhere]

Q505: when you use wish to get an inherent bonus to a physical stat, and then you polimorph, replacing your physical stats with that of the new form, do you keep the bonus on the new form, or not?

A 505
An inherent bonus is still a bonus, so it is added to the new physical stat.

Note that this is also true on the other side for ability damage or drain.

Q505b: how about age modifiers? do they work the same way?
because i checked in the srd, and nowhere are they referred to as "modifiers", or bonus/penalty. from what I understand, aging causes an actual change to your stats, so it won't get ported when polymorphed. but I'm asking to be sure

[Jopustopin]

Q 508: Is the Charnel Touch ability always on, like some other supernatural abilities? I.E. is the ability claiming that negative energy always runs through a dread necromancer's body concentrating on their hands? Or is that first statement merely fluff and the actual ability is the second line. I.E. the ability is a standard action to activate touch attack? If it is a standard action, why the disclaimer that you can do it only once per round. Barring obscure ways to get more than one standard action a round, that contingency seems quite redundant and unnecessary.

Q 509 Then there is a lich. The MM I would have us believe that the lich has a natural ability, natural weapon, touch attack that deals negative energy. Also this touch attack's negative energy can be re-allocated to any other natural weapon such that you could combine it with a bite attack. But it too can only use it's touch attack once per round. Does this mean a lich without weapons doesn't threaten squares if he has used his touch attack that round? If a lich has not used his touch attack this round and he makes an AoO with his touch attack, does the paralyzing touch rider go off as well or is this rider a standard action to activate ability?

[St Fan]

Q505b: how about age modifiers? do they work the same way?
because i checked in the srd, and nowhere are they referred to as "modifiers", or bonus/penalty. from what I understand, aging causes an actual change to your stats, so it won't get ported when polymorphed. but I'm asking to be sure

That's indeed trickier. One can argue that, when polymorphed, you turn into an "average" member of the species, average meaning adult but not older, so age modifiers would no longer apply. But I'm not entirely sure about that.