Simple Q&A D&D 3.5 (by RAW) XVIII

[Curmudgeon]

Since we've got a duplicate number I'll do both As 216 together.

Q 216

If a PC is prone and within an enemy's threatened square, is there any normal action that PC can do (barring class abilities, feats, etc.) to stand up without provoking an attack of opportunity? It looks like you can't even crawl out of range and stand up...

There's an intermediate position: kneeling/sitting, which has combat modifiers exactly halfway between prone and standing. The RAW does not stipulate any attacks of opportunity to move between prone and kneeling as a move action, or between kneeling and standing as a move action. (The online article "Rules of the Game: All About Movement (Part Two)" goes further and states that such movement doesn't provoke AoOs. I can't at the moment find any RAW confirmation for this, but I seem to recall a Dragon or Dungeon adventure which had archers firing from behind a low wall, where standing from kneeling didn't provoke.) Assuming your DM agrees (or if you can find the confirmation that escapes me at the moment) taking two move actions to move from prone to kneeling, and then from kneeling to standing, would get you there slowly and cautiously without provoking.

Q 216: Is there any cleric domain (in WOTC material, not third-party) that grants the spell Lightning Bolt?

Not directly, from my compilation of 130+ domains. However, the Spell domain offers Greater Anyspell as its 6th level spell, and this can be used to prepare Lightning Bolt.

[Commoner_Bane]

Do feats exist that allow creatures to use their spell-like abilities more times during the same day?

Example: I want to build a Tiefling monk. Is there ANY feat that would allow him to activate his racial ability to create darkness more times per day? This is what I am searching for hardest! An extra use of a racial abilty to create Darkness.

Example: I want to build a Aasimar Cleric. Is there feat to let him use his "Daylight" spell-like ability more times per day?


Searching for these has me curious: Is there ANY feat that allows a character to use their racial spell-like abilities additional times per day?

[dextercorvia]

Q 220

Do feats exist that allow creatures to use their spell-like abilities more times during the same day?

Example: I want to build a Tiefling monk. Is there ANY feat that would allow him to activate his racial ability to create darkness more times per day? This is what I am searching for hardest! An extra use of a racial abilty to create Darkness.

Example: I want to build a Aasimar Cleric. Is there feat to let him use his "Daylight" spell-like ability more times per day?


Searching for these has me curious: Is there ANY feat that allows a character to use their racial spell-like abilities additional times per day?

Please number your questions.

A 220
There is a regional feat called Magic in the Blood (PGtF), and planetouched races from Calimshan, Mulhorand, or Unther are candidates. You must take it at 1st level. It changes all of your 1/day racial SLA's into 3/day.

[SoHardToRegiste]

Q 221

If a level 20 Wizard sees a level 7 Cleric cast Consumptive Field (CF), can the Wizard use Replicate Casting to copy CF with his own caster level (20) and gain a higher caster level bonus? (+10 CL in this case)

[Elric VIII]

Q 222

Is there a way to get a composite bow that adjusts to the wielder's str mod?

The main incentive is for a Cleric archer getting the most out of Divine Power without having to keep 2 bows on hand?

[Claudius Maximus]

A 222 Partial

A few possible solutions:

The Bow of the Wintermoon from MIC is a relic that adjust to its wielder's strength score. You don't even have to activate its relic powers for this.

Hank's Energy Bow from the Animated Series Handbook does this as well.

[Curmudgeon]

A 221 Possibly.

The Cleric 7 would have already caused the deaths of all applicable creatures in their spell area, the round before the Wizard casts Replicate Casting. The Wizard 20 could duplicate Consumptive Field, but the increase in caster level would be limited by the number of creatures the Wizard killed with this duplicated spell. (It's useful to note that most plants are treated as living objects in D&D, and normal insects are similarly disregarded unless in a swarm, which is treated as a single creature.)

[Greenish]

Q223: Does Blindsense (or Blindsight) detect incorporeal creatures?

Mostly thinking about Hearing the Air (ToB) stance.

[BIGMamaSloth]

Q: 224

Can I have continual flame cast on my psicrystal? Can I then use that for Fiery Discorporation?

[BinaryMage]

Q223: Does Blindsense (or Blindsight) detect incorporeal creatures?

Mostly thinking about Hearing the Air (ToB) stance.

A 223:

Quoted from the SRD:
"Nonvisual senses, such as scent and blindsight, are either ineffective or only partly effective with regard to incorporeal creatures."

Seeing as incorporeal creatures have no physical body and cannot be heard, and blindsight works through (quote) "sensitivity to vibrations, keen smell, acute hearing, or echolocation" I would say no, blindsight/blindsense do not detect incorporeal creatures.

[Curmudgeon]

A 223 224 No, and no.

Continual Flame can only be cast on an object.

A psicrystal is treated as a construct for the purposes of all effects that depend on its type.

A psicrystal is thus not a valid target for the spell. Next, Fiery Discorporation requires an actual open flame.

The effect looks like a regular flame, but it creates no heat and doesn’t use oxygen.

Something that only looks like an open flame doesn't meet the requirement for that power.

[Rhatahema]

Q225: The only examples of magic staffs I've seen have all been quarterstaffs. The SRD states that "A typical staff is like a walking stick, quarterstaff, or cudgel." Are there any examples of staffs being made in the from of clubs, great clubs, or some other weapon type?

[SoHardToRegiste]

Q 226:

Can a character have both a Consumptive Field and Greater Consumptive Field active at the same time?

@Curmudgeon: Ah I see, thanks. I also had no idea that plants count as living objects in this case, this is useful info.

[Fitz10019]

Q 227
When you create Spell Storing ammunition (50 arrows), they are created together at one cost of, I believe, 1 + 300mw + 8000/2 = 4301gp. If you want these arrows to all have the same spell stored in them, does that require 1 casting or 50 castings of the spell?

[Kefkafreak]

A 227

Each arrow is an individual weapon and requires a casting of the spell.

[Runestar]

Q 227
When you create Spell Storing ammunition (50 arrows), they are created together at one cost of, I believe, 1 + 300mw + 8000/2 = 4301gp. If you want these arrows to all have the same spell stored in them, does that require 1 casting or 50 castings of the spell?

On a tangent, I thought spell storing cannot be placed on arrows? At least, that option doesn't show up on the random magic weapon properties for ranged weaponry in the DMG.

[Fitz10019]

On a tangent, I thought spell storing cannot be placed on arrows? At least, that option doesn't show up on the random magic weapon properties for ranged weaponry in the DMG.

Q 227, related
Can an arrow have the Spell Storing property? If so, can the wielder of the bow that launched the arrow activate the stored spell when the arrow does damage?

[Kuma Kode]

Q 227, related
Can an arrow have the Spell Storing property? If so, can the wielder of the bow that launched the arrow activate the stored spell when the arrow does damage?

Nope. It's not on the list of ranged weapon properties. Ergo, it is not a viable ranged weapon property.

[Curmudgeon]

A 227, related ─ additional info

Any time the weapon strikes a creature and the creature takes damage from it, the weapon can immediately cast the spell on that creature as a free action if the wielder desires.

The wielder of the bow is not the wielder of the fired arrow (that's no longer in the bow wielder's possession or under their control). Also,

Ammunition

Projectile weapons use ammunition: arrows (for bows), bolts (for crossbows), or sling bullets (for slings). When using a bow, a character can draw ammunition as a free action; crossbows and slings require an action for reloading. Generally speaking, ammunition that hits its target is destroyed or rendered useless, while normal ammunition that misses has a 50% chance of being destroyed or lost.

Magic items, unless otherwise noted, take damage as nonmagical items of the same sort. A damaged magic item continues to function, but if it is destroyed, all its magical power is lost.

It would be impossible to choose to cast the spell when the target creature takes damage, because damage is determined after the arrow hits, and the arrow is destroyed (and thus no longer has the spell storing property) if it hits.

[Elric VIII]

Q 228

With regards to the Illumian Sigils and which rolls are influenced by the bonuses to Str or Dex checks:

1. Are ranged attacks Dex checks?
   
2. Are melee attacks Str Checks?
   
3. Is a grapple check a Str check?
   
4. Is resisting a trip a Str/Dex check?
   
5. Is initiative a Dex check?
   
6. Are skill checks (jump, tumble, etc) Str/Dex checks?

[The Underlord]

Q 229 can a character with the powerful build ability wield two two handed weapons made for medium creatures?
also i still havent gotten answer for

Q 202
If you summon a creature and it attacks someone, do you break a vow of nonviolence?

[tyckspoon]

A 225 (partial)

I am not aware of any. One could be crafted differently, but all of the examples of staffs that are also usable as weapons that I can find are built as a quarterstaff.

A 228

Attack rolls are not ability checks. Ability checks are ...

Sometimes a character tries to do something to which no specific skill really applies. In these cases, you make an ability check. An ability check is a roll of 1d20 plus the appropriate ability modifier. Essentially, you’re making an untrained skill check.

And other items that are directly called out as ability checks.

For 1,2,3, the answer is no- attack rolls do not count, and grapple checks are a form of attack roll.
4: Yes. Making and resisting a trip (also overrun, bull rush) is explicitly referred to as a Dex/Str check.
5: Yes. Again, initiative is explicitly labeled as a Dex check.
6: I think, RAW, no. A skill check is a different kind of check that uses an ability as a modifier, much like an attack roll. This is backed by language usage in other rules such as the penalties for sickened/fear effects/energy drain, which refer to skill checks and ability checks separately. However- the quote above about what an ability check is seems to fold ability checks in as a category of skill check, so ask your DM.

A 229
No. Powerful Build allows you to wield a weapon one category larger than you otherwise would, but it does not change the handedness required to wield weapons of your normal size category.

[SoHardToRegiste]

also i still havent gotten answer for

Sometimes a question is too tricky or would warrant a very complex answer, or no one knows the answer for certain.

So just appreciate the answers that we receive, and if a question is too tricky then it was just not meant to be :)

[Curmudgeon]

A 228

check

A method of determining the result when a character attempts an action (other than an attack or a saving throw) that has a chance of failure. Checks are based on a relevant character ability, skill, or other characteristic. Most checks are either ability checks or skill checks, though special types such as turning checks, caster level checks, dispel checks, and initiative checks also exist. The specific name of the check usually corresponds to the skill or ability used. To make a check, roll 1d20 and add any relevant modifiers. (Higher results are always better.) If this check result equals or exceeds the Difficulty Class number assigned by the DM (or the opponent's check, if the action is opposed), the check succeeds.

For something to be an ability check it must be described as such in the rules, or match the above definition. A check with a specific name (not specifying the ability or skill used) is a special type unless the rules describe it as an ability check or skill check.

1. Are ranged attacks Dex checks?
   No. There's no opposed check or DC set by the DM.
2. Are melee attacks Str Checks?
   No. There's no opposed check or DC set by the DM.
3. Is a grapple check a Str check?
   No. It has a name and is thus a special type of check, and it's also based on other characteristics (special size modifiers).
4. Is resisting a trip a Str/Dex check?
   Normally, yes. You can also resist a trip attempt with a Balance check (See Complete Adventurer, page 97), for which the answer would be no.
5. Is initiative a Dex check?
   Yes. While it's a special type, and with no DC set by the DM, initiative is explicitly stated to be a Dexterity check (Player's Handbook, page 135).
6. Are skill checks (jump, tumble, etc) Str/Dex checks?
   No. Ability checks and skill checks are considered different categories. Exception: some untrained skill checks may be described as ability checks.

Edit: Beaten to the finish line by tyckspoon.

[The Underlord]

Q 230 Does the charisma bonus from paladin of tyranny and black guard stack? And do rebuking abilitiese from them stack also?

[sreservoir]

A 230 no answer.

neither paladin nor blackguard gain any Cha bonus.

if you're referring to their Cha to saves abilities, however, those do stack. they are untyped bonuses with different names.

as for rebuking, I'd assume this is relevant:

In the special case of turning undead, both clerics and experienced paladins have the same ability. If the character's paladin is level 3 or higher, her effective turning level is her cleric level plus her paladin level minus 3. Thus, a 5th-level paladin/4th-level cleric turns undead like a 6th-level cleric.

perhaps not strictly relevant, though.

[VacantPsalm]

Q 231

If I have a homunculus familiar and it dies, can it be raised from the dead by the ruling for familiars: "A slain familiar can be raised from the dead just as a character can be, and it does not lose a level or a Constitution point when this happy event occurs." Or would it's construct trait override that?

[Curmudgeon]

A 231 No.

Construct traits are fundamental to a Homunculus. The standard rule about raising a familiar from the dead is predicated on them being chosen among normal animals, which a Homunculus obtained via Improved Familiar is not. A dead Homunculus familiar cannot be raised via Raise Dead.

[ILM]

Q232: If one takes the Shadow Shaper illusionist variant, does one give up Scribe Scoll too? It's not listed as a bonus feat in the table but the text does say "At 1st level, a wizard gains Scribe Scroll as a bonus feat." On the other hand, the variant says "An illusionist using this variant does not gain bonus feats for advancing as a wizard" and it could be argued taking the first level isn't technically "advancing".

[Curmudgeon]

A 232

Yes, you give up Scribe Scroll at 1st level. Changing from a 1 HD Humanoid to a 1 HD Wizard is still advancing as a Wizard. Scribe Scroll is a bonus feat, as stated in the class description; it's just one that's fixed rather than chosen by the player. The Shadow Shaper variant abilities are specified at all the same levels as the sacrificed bonus feats, including the Shadow Shaper 1st level ability in place of Scribe Scroll.