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

[King of Nowhere]

EDIT: i completely skipped reading a sentence, problem solved

[Thurbane]

Q 676

Is there any restriction on a Good-aligned intelligent magic item having the Deathwatch lesser power (since the spell has an Evil descriptor)?

[St Fan]

Q 676

Is there any restriction on a Good-aligned intelligent magic item having the Deathwatch lesser power (since the spell has an Evil descriptor)?

A 676
Not in the rules, no. Intelligent magic items don't have the restriction that Clerics or Druids can have.

Please note, though, that deathwatch is the one spell that has its [evil] descriptor homebrewed away the most often. It makes little sense for this spell beyond questionable flavor, and is even known to cause some dysfunctions, like being on the spell list of one paladin-friendly prestige class.

[Thurbane]

Please note, though, that deathwatch is the one spell that has its [evil] descriptor homebrewed away the most often. It makes little sense for this spell beyond questionable flavor, and is even known to cause some dysfunctions, like being on the spell list of one paladin-friendly prestige class.

Thank you.

FWIW, I completely agree that it's idiotic to have the Evil descriptor: it should be a simple Divination. Even 3.0 didn't saddle it with the Evil Descriptor, despite it being Necromancy.

[nedz]

FWIW, I completely agree that it's idiotic to have the Evil descriptor: it should be a simple Divination. Even 3.0 didn't saddle it with the Evil Descriptor, despite it being Necromancy.

Well it's a bit like the BoVD or LoM versions of Darkbolt having the EVIL descriptor, presumably because of the name — It's just a a cold/untyped ray. This has been fixed, but still.

As to the question, well according to Detect Evil the item will exhibit a lingering evil aura for a short while (depending on the level of the spell). It's conceivable that someone might detect this ...

[Falontani]

Q 677
I could have sworn that feats were usually extraordinary abilities, but I can't find a source saying as much. So
A) are feats ever extraordinary
B) is it only a specific category of feats
C) can you please give me a source (I know this is the hardest part)

Thank you whoever takes this on..

[St Fan]

A 677

Feats are indeed considered extraordinary by default, but finding an actual source specifying this is indeed harder than you'd think. I've looked at the Player's Handbook, but no mention is made.

Paradoxically, it is when a category of feats is an exception to this rule that you get some actual confirmation of said general rule.

For example, this SRD line about Psionic feats: "Because psionic feats are supernatural abilities—a departure from the general rule that feats do not grant supernatural abilities—"

So, the rule is that feats are extraordinary unless specified otherwise. General feats, fighter bonus feats, even Metamagic or Item Creation feats are (Ex).

Some feat categories as a whole are exceptions, being specifically supernatural. Notably Psionic feats, Exalted feats, Domain feats or Incarnum feats.

Found a little discussion about this: https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questi...ary-by-default

[Nihilarian]

Q 678
Say you have a spell-like ability, and you get a bonus to the spell its based on. For example, a Divine Mind with Ectopic Ally going into the Constructor prestige class. Does your spell-like ability get the bonus?

[Thurbane]

Q 678
Say you have a spell-like ability, and you get a bonus to the spell its based on. For example, a Divine Mind with Ectopic Ally going into the Constructor prestige class. Does your spell-like ability get the bonus?

A 678

No, SLAs aren't spells, and don't benefit from boosts to spells, unless a specific ability says otherwise.

[Thurbane]

Q 679

Are there any published magic items that are not charged or consumable items, that can cast Restoration? Specifically this spell, not other spells that have similar effects.

Just to be clear, looking for published items (as opposed to custom items made using guidelines), and not for wands, staves, scrolls, potions etc. Note: Minor Schemas do not work due to the material component cost.

[edit] A 679 partial

A Domain Staff of Restoration domain would work, but I'd I'd prefer something that works in the hands of non-casters, if possible. [/edit]

[edit] OK, Drow House Insignia should work, although they only hold spells of up to 3rd level - which would require a Healer, or an Archivist, to have Restoration as a 3rd level spell. Also, carries a lot of baggage, and can make the owner a target for Drow retaliation.

If anyone has other answers, would be happy to hear. [/edit]

[newguydude1]

q 680

can you retrian alternate class features?

[ShurikVch]

A 679

Bed of Restoration (Stronghold Builder's Guidebook)?

Brazen Skull (Dragon #341)? //minor artifact of Baphomet


Also, bump Q 577.

[St Fan]

q 680

Can you retrain alternate class features?

A 680

The retraining rules about class features cover those which several options, like Ranger's fighting style, bonus feats, choice of familiar/animal companion, cleric domains, etc.

Alternate class features that allow a choice between several options can certainly be similarly retrained.

Now, if your question is about retraining one class feature for an alternate class feature that it replaces, (or vice-versa), this is neither clearly authorized nor forbidden by the rules, so it is entirely the DM's option.

I would personally allow it, as it is still within the spirit of what the retraining rules allow. Note that Substitution levels are covered by the retraining rules, and they're essentially another flavor of ACF, so it's easy to apply the same rules and rationalizations to them.

Expect table variation on what a DM may see fit for retraining or not, though. Variant classes (as opposed to mere ACF) may be deemed too integral and important to be retrained. (For this reason, I personally don't allow retraining school specialization, which I consider variant classes, as it's an awfully complex can of worms that can too easily be abused.)

[St Fan]

Q 681

An Archivist takes a prestige class granting a bonus domain (likely Contemplative) at high level, thus gaining the special power of said domain.

Having no cleric levels, if said special power is level-dependent (for example, the Magic domain), what levels are used for the calculation? Are those Archivist levels (to which the spellcasting advancement of Contemplative is granted), Contemplative levels, or both?

[Twurps]

Q 681

An Archivist takes a prestige class granting a bonus domain (likely Contemplative) at high level, thus gaining the special power of said domain.

Having no cleric levels, if said special power is level-dependent (for example, the Magic domain), what levels are used for the calculation? Are those Archivist levels (to which the spellcasting advancement of Contemplative is granted), Contemplative levels, or both?

A 681: The archivist class doesn't have any language stating the levels 'count as' or 'stack with' cleric levels for the purpose of domain powers. So those don't count.
The contemplative PRC doesn't have any language like this either. so that's another no. (Which would also mean contemplative doesn't increase your cleric level for domain powers even if you enter it as a cleric and use it to progress cleric casting)

So both don't count. your effective cleric level for the magic domain's domain power would be '1' as that's the minimum stated by the power itself.

[ciopo]

Q 682
Do the spell Cloud wings (spell compendium version) and the Nature's warrior class feature "Wings of the hurricane" stack with each other?

[Thurbane]

Q 682
Do the spell Cloud wings (spell compendium version) and the Nature's warrior class feature "Wings of the hurricane" stack with each other?

A 682

They are both uptyped increases to fly speed, so yes.

[genderlich]

Q 683

Can a spellthief use a stolen spell to power the Arcane Strike feat?

[newguydude1]

q 684

uncanny forethought
"when preparing your daily allotment of spells, you can reserve a number of spell slots equal to your Intelligence modifier."

if im a specialist wizard, can i choose my specialist wizard spell slot for uncanny forethought?

i want to go abjuration specialist wizard for the master specialist capstone, but my wizard knows next to no abjuration spells.

[KillianHawkeye]

i want to go abjuration specialist wizard for the master specialist capstone, but my wizard knows next to no abjuration spells.

I know this isn't answering your question, but how is that possible? A specialist wizard needs to pick one of the two free spells he learns per level from his specialty school.

[newguydude1]

I know this isn't answering your question, but how is that possible? A specialist wizard needs to pick one of the two free spells he learns per level from his specialty school.

i heard this before, but i couldnt locate it, where is this rule located?

everything is just in the planning stages right now, i havent actually made a wizard yet in a game.

[Dimers]

i heard this before, but i couldnt locate it, where is this rule located?

In the PHB it's at the split paragraph on pages 178-179. If you ask me, it's very strange that it isn't in the section on wizard advancement or school specialization.

[newguydude1]

q 685

can you apply fell animate to the caltrops spell? and then pickup one of those caltrops and use it to coup de grace as many unconscious enemies as you want?

[Saintheart]

Q 683

Can a spellthief use a stolen spell to power the Arcane Strike feat?

A 683
No, by RAW, because a stolen spell lasts only 1 hour. Arcane Strike applies only to "one of your spells for the day." Accordingly, it's not a spell that you have access to for the whole day.

However, this is yet another crappy thing to do to what's already a seriously underpowered class, so your DM is a terrible human being if he insists on this RAW.

[newguydude1]

q 686

can i use share spells on my dead animal companion corpse??????????
like can i cast a personal spell on my dead animal companion corpse like antimagic field?

please say yes.

[St Fan]

q 686

can i use share spells on my dead animal companion corpse??????????
like can i cast a personal spell on my dead animal companion corpse like antimagic field?

please say yes.

A 686
Sorry, but no.

The link between a master and familiar is cut upon the familiar's death (that's what can cause the loss of 200 XP/level for the master). None of the usual advantages of a familiar remain granted when the familiar is dead.

This link can be re-established by resurrecting the familiar, or summoning a new one after 1 year and 1 day, but in the meantime the master is familiar-less.

[Yael]

Q687 If a character takes the Improved Spell Capacity feat, do his Cleric or Domain Wizard's domains cover 10th level and higher slots, providing a bonus spell slot for each level?

Q688 The epic Seed: Fortify has the following relevant quote:

If you apply a factor to make the duration permanent, the bonus must be an inherent bonus, and the maximum inherent bonus allowed is +5.

If, however, the spell is made permanent due to it being an instantaneous effect (such as by applying the Heal or Energy seeds), would it still have to be an inherent bonus?

[InvisibleBison]

A687 Yes.

A688 Epic spell creation is all fairly far into "ask your DM" territory, so I don't think there's a RAW answer to this question.

[newguydude1]

q 689

if an elemental savant chooses fire as her element and becomes 10th level, can she swim or does she inherit fire elementals inability to swim as well?

fire elementals inability to cross water is not a special quality or any mechanical thing. but on the other hand the elemental savant becomes an elemental with the fire subtype.

[Blue Jay]

q 689

if an elemental savant chooses fire as her element and becomes 10th level, can she swim or does she inherit fire elementals inability to swim as well?

fire elementals inability to cross water is not a special quality or any mechanical thing. but on the other hand the elemental savant becomes an elemental with the fire subtype.

A 689

No. That limit is a quality of the specific monster called "fire elemental," and the elemental savant does not become that specific monster. Look at the features and traits of the Elemental type and the Fire subtype: neither of them lists "inability to cross water" as one of their features. Look at the elemental savant's Elemental Perfection ability: it doesn't say anything about gaining an inability to cross water. So, you can safely conclude that you do not gain that limitation. And that's good, because that would be annoying.