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

[cd4]

Q221 With the spellguard rings (CM 127):

a) How long do they protect the wearer of the bronze ring in conjunction with a spell with a duration greater than instantaneous?
b) If someone else takes the ring and wears it do they become immune to the long duration spell?
c) What is the effect of taking back the ring vs a long duration spell after b) above?

[Jon_Dahl]

Q222

Just to make sure I got this right:
You attack a black pudding with a spear.
Black pudding splits (2 puddings). You hit it again and it splits again (3 puddings). You hit it once more and it splits again (4 puddings). You have only struck the original pudding, not the ones that split.

According to my calculations you now have:
A pudding with 57 hp (the first one that split)
A pudding with 28 hp (the second one that split)
A pudding with 14 hp (the third one that split)
A pudding with 14 hp (the original one)

So... Am I correct?

[Curmudgeon]

A 222

Except for the fact that there is no "original" pudding once it splits, you're correct. Attacking the smallest available pudding target each time (or picking one randomly from identical smallest sizes) will result in the HP totals you list, when starting with a standard 115 HP black pudding.

[SillySymphonies]

Q 223
I've seen it stated on these boards multiple times that Exotic Weapon Proficiency (repeating heavy crossbow) and Exotic Weapon Proficiency (repeating light crossbow) are actually one feat: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (repeating crossbow). Where is this stated in the PHB? I can't seem to find it.

Q 224
If a monstrous humanoid alter selfs into a thri-keen (or any other monstrous humanoid with a poison attack), does alter self confer the poison attack? In other words, is (for the purposes of alter self) the poison attack considered to be part of the natural weapon (bite) or an extraordinary attack?

You acquire the physical qualities of the new form while retaining your own mind. Physical qualities include (...) natural weapons (such as claws, bite, and so on) (...). (...) You do not gain any extraordinary special attacks or special qualities not noted above under physical qualities, (...).

[Jon_Dahl]

Thank you as always Curmudgeon.

Q 225

Constrict

A creature with this special attack can crush an opponent, dealing bludgeoning damage, after making a successful grapple check. The amount of damage is given in the creature’s entry. If the creature also has the improved grab ability it deals constriction damage in addition to damage dealt by the weapon used to grab.

Black Pudding's Constrict (Ex)

A black pudding deals automatic slam and acid damage with a successful grapple check.

So I'm confused... Black pudding HAS improved grab... So according to rules it should deal automatic slam damage (weapon used to grab), acid damage and constrict damage with a successful grapple check (slam 2d6+4 plus constrict 2d6+4 plus 2d6 acid).

So what sort of damage does a black pudding do to a grappled opponent?

[Random Interger]

Q226
Resting for eight hours removes the fatigued condition, but the fatigue entry doesn't mention doffing armour. Since sleeping in heavy armour causes fatigue regardless of the Endurance feat, can a character sleep in heavy armour and then rest for 8 hours while still wearing it to avoid being fatigued for the eight hours of daylight left?

A223
Can you link to one of these statements? I'd always assumed that Exotic Weapon Proficiency (light repeating crossbow) and Exotic Weapon Proficiency (heavy repeating crossbow) were two different feats, just like Rapid Reload (light/heavy) or Weapon Focus (shortsword/longsword). I can't seem to find a reference to them both using the same feat except the fact that they share an entry on the equipment list.

[Curmudgeon]

A 223

There's only a single proficiency required, precisely because Repeating Crossbow is a single entry in the Weapon Descriptions section of the Equipment chapter; see Player's Handbook on page 116.

Crossbow, Repeating: The repeating crossbow (whether heavy or light) holds 5 crossbow bolts. As long as it holds bolts, you can reload it by pulling the reloading lever (a free action).

The fact that there are two Weapons table entries is unimportant, as per the Primary Sources Errata rule.

Errata Rule: Primary Sources

When you find a disagreement between two D&D® rules sources, unless an official errata file says otherwise, the primary source is correct. One example of a primary/secondary source is text taking precedence over a table entry. An individual spell description takes precedence when the short description in the beginning of the spells chapter disagrees.

Another example of primary vs. secondary sources involves book and topic precedence. The Player's Handbook, for example, gives all the rules for playing the game, for playing PC races, and for using base class descriptions. If you find something on one of those topics from the Dungeon Master's Guide or the Monster Manual that disagrees with the Player's Handbook, you should assume the Player's Handbook is the primary source. The Dungeon Master's Guide is the primary source for topics such as magic item descriptions, special material construction rules, and so on. The Monster Manual is the primary source for monster descriptions, templates, and supernatural, extraordinary, and spell-like abilities.

A 226 No.

From page 122 of Player's Handbook:

Sleeping in Armor: A character who sleeps in medium or heavy armor is automatically fatigued the next day.

Only complete rest alleviates fatigue (see Rules Compendium on page 35), so once the automatic fatigue sets in a less complete form of rest will not remedy that condition.

[SillySymphonies]

Can you link to one of these statements?

http://brilliantgameologists.com/boa...15068#msg15068
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showp...83&postcount=2
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showp...98&postcount=5

RE: Curmudgeon

Choose a type of exotic weapon, such as dire flail or shuriken (see
Table 7–5: Weapons, page 116, for a list of exotic weapons). You
understand how to use that type of exotic weapon in combat.

[emphasis mine]

[Curmudgeon]

Noting that there's a list in a table doesn't change that from being a secondary source. If Exotic Weapon Proficiency had stated that you must choose a weapon listed in said table, that would be a rule. Instead the feat merely notes that the list exists. The text in the Equipment chapter remains the primary source.

[DaMullet]

Q 227

A rogue with a ring of blink strikes as an invisible creature, so he gets his sneak attack dice while blinking. But he has a 20% miss chance for the same reason; is he denied his sneak attack, or does he get the extra damage on any attacks he doesn't miss?

[Ditto]

Q228

Can creatures using earth glide (as a Xorn, for example) otherwise act normally while swimming in dirt, aside from the fact that they cannot see where they're going? (Casting Spells, drawing items, movement rate, etc.)

[Curmudgeon]

A 227

The Rogue's chance of missing is due to making attacks while on the wrong plane, not concealment. If the Rogue qualifies for sneak attack (which is not guaranteed: targets who can see invisible creatures aren't denied their DEX bonus to AC vs. the Blinking Rogue), they'll get that on the 80% of attacks which do connect.

A 228 Yes.

With Earth Glide the creature moves with ease. They won't be able to see or choose targets, but can otherwise treat the earth as their accustomed environment (as a fish moves through water).

[Blinkbear]

Q 229: Multiple shield other spells on same target

Can the shield other spell be cast multiple times on the same target? If yes, what is the effect? Assume casters C1...Cn casting the spell on target T. Is the hit point damage divided through (n+1) and distributed accordingly?

[Curmudgeon]

A 229 No.

From COMBINING MAGICAL EFFECTS, page 171 of Player's Handbook:

Stacking Effects: Spells that provide bonuses or penalties on attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws, and other attributes usually do not stack with themselves.

The subject gains a +1 deflection bonus to AC and a +1 resistance bonus on saves. Additionally, the subject takes only half damage from all wounds and attacks (including that dealt by special abilities) that deal hit point damage. The amount of damage not taken by the warded creature is taken by you.

This is an example of the stacking condition known as Same Effect with Differing Results: none of the previous castings are actually removed or dispelled, but their effects become irrelevant while the final spell in the series lasts; that's the casting which determines who takes the half of the damage not taken by the subject.

As a spell which provides bonuses to creature attributes, Shield Other would need a specific exception to the basic Stacking Effects rule to allow additional benefit from more than one casting. There is no such exception in the spell description, so multiple Shield Other spells can never stack.

[hydraa]

Q 230a

Can a multiclass specialist wizard / spellthief cast a banned school on her spell thief side.

Q 230a

Can a multiclass spellthief / other spell casting class steal a slot from her other casting side to power a spell on her spellthief side (assuming sufficient levels and costing a standard action to xfer the energy) {keyword I see is target}

Q 231a

Is the curse on a cursed item a spell-like ability?

Q 231b

Can a spellthief 'steal' a curse off of a item for up to a minute?

[Curmudgeon]

A 230 a Yes.

Wizard class restrictions apply to Wizard abilities only, absent specific language to the contrary.

A 230 a (the second a) No.

You've misidentified the relevant keyword.

A spellthief who hits an opponent with a successful sneak attack can choose to forgo dealing 1d6 points of sneak attack damage and instead steal a spell

Characters are not opposed to themselves. Also, I don't see any way you could make the required sneak attack against yourself: you can't flank yourself, can't sneak up on yourself, and can't attack yourself while flat-footed.

A 231 a No.

Spell-like abilities are explicitly labeled as such, and have specific characteristics such as being dependent on a creature's hit dice and their Charisma modifier for effect strength. Magical items operate by their own rules.

A 231 b No.

Sneak Attack (Ex): A spellthief deals an extra 1d6 points of damage when flanking an opponent or at any time when the target would be denied its Dexterity bonus. ... See the rogue class feature, page 50 of the Player’s Handbook.
...
Steal Spell (Su): A spellthief can siphon spell energy away from his target and use it himself. A spellthief who hits an opponent with a successful sneak attack can choose to forgo dealing 1d6 points of sneak attack damage and instead steal a spell, ...

A rogue can sneak attack only living creatures with discernible anatomies—undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures lack vital areas to attack. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is not vulnerable to sneak attacks.

Immunities: Objects are immune to nonlethal damage and to critical hits.

Steal Spell can never work on items.

[hydraa]

You've misidentified the relevant keyword.

Quote:
A spellthief who hits an opponent with a successful sneak attack can choose to forgo dealing 1d6 points of sneak attack damage and instead steal a spell

Characters are not opposed to themselves.

If the target is willing, a spellthief can steal a spell with a touch as a standard action.

Was hoping that self would be a willing target with out having to classify self as opponent

A 231 b No. Steal Spell can never work on items.

I was refering to the next higher level ability for the cursed item
Steal Spell-Like Ability (Su):

But still agree that a curse on a item is not specifically called out as a spell like ability

[Curmudgeon]

I was refering to the next higher level ability for the cursed item
Steal Spell-Like Ability (Su):
But still agree that a curse on a item is not specifically called out as a spell like ability

Steal Spell-Like Ability (Su): At 5th level and higher, a spellthief can use a sneak attack to temporarily steal a creature’s spell-like ability.

An object still isn't a creature, and you still can't make the required sneak attack.

[PlzBreakMyCmpAn]

Q232: What's a low cost way to gain immunity to energy drain without being undead? Open lesser chakra + split shakra or +x LA is a bit steep to me...

[Curmudgeon]

A 232

A low-cost way to gain immunity to energy drain is to have Death Ward cast on you; that's 280 gp at NPC rates. If you're not satisfied with that answer you'll probably need to revise your question to be more specific, since "low cost" is a fairly ambiguous term. You posited answers in terms of feats or level adjustment; I gave a response in terms of market price. A rough guideline is that a feat is worth something on the order of 10,000 gp (see Arms and Equipment Guide on page 128), so my answer is about 1% the cost of yours; whether it's more than 1% as satisfying is up to you.

[Thurbane]

A 232 continued

...depends on your definition of low-cost, but:

Lumi (MM3) for +2 LA and 2 Outsider hit dice.

The Soulfire armor enhancement (BoED) for a +4 bonus equivalent.

[edit]Warforged or Warforged Scout for +0 LA.[/edit]

[Venser]

Q 233

How often can a Blighter use his blightfire ability? It only says that he can use it as a standard action, but not how many times per day.

[Cog]

A 233
Blightfire is an at-will ability.

[Trasilor]

Q234

If a creature has multiple natural attackes, say two claws and a bite, and spring attack feat. Can they move, attack with all their natural attacks and move again? Or do they need something like Pounce too. If they only get their primary attacks, and the primary attacks are the two claws, do they get both claws?

[Curmudgeon]

A 234

Making a full attack normally requires a full attack action. Only the primary attack weapon(s) can be used without a full attack. If the creature has Spring Attack and its primary attack is two claws, it could split a move action around that primary attack with both claws.

[Trasilor]

Thanks Curmudgeon

After reading my post, I realized that made the most sense.

[Crake]

Q235

If you ready an action with the trigger being an enemy attacking you in melee, could you take a 5 foot step after performing the action (assuming you havent moved at all during your last turn) thus avoiding the attack? Or would they have the option of stopping the attack, taking a 5 foot step in (or continuing their move action if they moved in) and resuming the attack?

[Curmudgeon]

A 235

D&D only rarely uses declared actions. Using Ready is one of those few cases where you declare what you are (conditionally) going to do ahead of time, and must stick to that plan. Because the readied action interrupts the enemy's attack before it actually starts, and since that action probably wasn't required to follow a plan, the enemy is free to resume their turn with all legally allowed options available to them. If you attacked them just as they were moving into attack range, they may continue moving if they have not reached their speed limit. If they had moved 5' into attack range that could have been a 5' step, the start of a move action, or perhaps the lead-up to using Spring Attack. If they moved 5' forward and you moved 5' back after attacking them, they would then also have the option of turning their interrupted action into a charge (minimum 10' movement required, which was not possible until your interrupt).

[Zaq]

Q 236

Are there any weapons with both reach and an 18-20 crit range?

[Ditto]

Q237

How specific does the location targetted for a Find the Path spell have to be? Do you need to know where you're going, or whether a specific location actually exists? (Presumably if you ask it to bring you to Harry Potter's bedroom, the spell would fail because no such place exists.) Could you walk into a big castle and ask the spell to direct you to the nearest:
-Throne room?
-King's bedroom?
-Antimagic field?

Q238
If the most direct straight-line route changes after you cast the spell (for instance, you need to walk around a building to get to the only door, but you drop a Passwall through the wall in front of you, thus providing a new Shortest Direct Route), does the spell constantly keep you steered to the fastest available route? Or does it only check for the Shortest Route At This Moment?