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

[RFLS]

Q 840

Is there a published Crystalline or Crystal template with an LA?

[RFLS]

Q 840

Is there a published Crystalline or Crystal template with an LA?

Doublepost, sorry.

[Khedrac]

A818
If the ability duplicates the effect of a spell then the SRD kicks in with:
20 + spell level Identify a spell that’s already in place and in effect. You must be able to see or detect the effects of the spell. No action required. No retry.
20 + spell level Identify materials created or shaped by magic, such as noting that an iron wall is the result of a wall of iron spell. No action required. No retry.
25 + spell level After rolling a saving throw against a spell targeted on you, determine what that spell was. No action required. No retry.

Yes they did not come from a spell, but if the effects are the same then Spellcraft will identify that - what is DM's call is if it tells you that it was not a spell that caused it.
Situational Modifiers are probably appropriate - for instance a SU fireball is in reality about DC0 - everyone knows what it is.

[Andezzar]

Situational Modifiers are probably appropriate - for instance a SU fireball is in reality about DC0 - everyone knows what it is.

I disagree. While it is obvious that it was an AoE fire effect, unless you succeed on a spellcraft check you would not know it is a fireball. it could be any other AoE fire effect.

[willpell]

I disagree. While it is obvious that it was an AoE fire effect, unless you succeed on a spellcraft check you would not know it is a fireball. it could be any other AoE fire effect.

Shaped like a ball. Fired from Long range. Which starts out as a little bead and then explodes when it reaches the target point.

Maybe if no-one has ever used a Fireball in the universe before, you need a Spellcraft check to figure this out. After a while, it would be commonplace enough that anyone who isn't actively avoiding learning things would be incapable of not knowing. (This is why I have something of a problem with Knowledge skills and the complete impossibility of increasing them through day-to-day experience.)

[Baphomet]

Ah, so that's to identify the effect independent of the detect magic effects? Is that what it falls back on if there's not an actual school of magic for detect magic to detect? Okay, fair enough. But, those DCs are kind of hard to determine for, say, the balor's flaming body ability. It's not duplicating the effects of any spell, there's no spell level listed, and there's no indication what school of magic the spell would be. Or, for a more common example, a druid who has wild shaped.

[TypoNinja]

Q841

Draconomicon says that Dragons of at least Old age qualify for epic feats, however old age puts a dragon PC into the 30's or so ECL. However the ELH grants feats to PC's starting at 21st level.

Which of these am I supposed to use as a Dragon PC?

[The Dark Fiddler]

Q 840

Is there a published Crystalline or Crystal template with an LA?

A 840: Is mineral warrior close enough?

[Andezzar]

Shaped like a ball. Fired from Long range. Which starts out as a little bead and then explodes when it reaches the target point.

Maybe if no-one has ever used a Fireball in the universe before, you need a Spellcraft check to figure this out. After a while, it would be commonplace enough that anyone who isn't actively avoiding learning things would be incapable of not knowing. (This is why I have something of a problem with Knowledge skills and the complete impossibility of increasing them through day-to-day experience.)

You might come up with the name fireball, as the effect is pretty self-explanatory but you would not know that it is a 3rd level Evocation spell from the Sorcerer/Wizard and maybe on some other spell lists. With obvious visual evidence and no similar spells this might be easy, but try to differentiate Finger of Death from Power Word Kill without spellcraft.

Two other questions to ponder:

Where does it even say that Spellcraft can be used to identify Sp and Su abilities?

Are instantaneous spell even "in place and in effect" long enough to be studied with spellcraft?

[willpell]

With obvious visual evidence and no similar spells this might be easy, but try to differentiate Finger of Death from Power Word Kill without spellcraft.

True, but that reinforces my point...Spellcraft is needed in the case of such subtle spells, but shouldn't (common-sensically, rather than RAWfully) be necessary in the case of something as obvious as a Fireball. Spellcraft might be necessary to determine the exact particulars of Fireball...if you've only seen your wizard buddy lobbing them from 50 feet away, you probably don't know that the range starts at 600 feet and goes up to double that (pre-epic). Likewise, you might not be clear on the fact that Fireballing a wall sometimes, but only sometimes, succeeds in roasting someone who's behind the wall (depending on spread distance and/or ability to destroy the wall). Still, I can't see trying to convince a player that he's not allowed to use the word "fireball" to describe what he just saw, unless the setting is intentionally lampshade-tastic like OOTS.

Q841

Draconomicon says that Dragons of at least Old age qualify for epic feats, however old age puts a dragon PC into the 30's or so ECL. However the ELH grants feats to PC's starting at 21st level.

Which of these am I supposed to use as a Dragon PC?

A841
If your dragon is a PC he can get epic feats the same way any other ECL 21+ character can. The bit about dragons is just a clarification that dragons which are there for the party to fight don't need class levels to get epic feats. (Neither would, say, an HD-advanced Balor, it's just that larger dragons of sufficient age default to being CR 20+ and thus the writers probably figured it deserved special mention in their case. Nevermind that CR is usually lower than the equivalent ECL anyway.)

[123456789blaaa]

Q 842

Does a were octopus retain its extra limbs in hybrid form?

[willpell]

Hm, that's true, an Octopus is an Animal rather than Vermin. I am in awe.

Q843
If a Dorje is created at a higher manifester level, it automatically augments to the maximum level allowed. For powers where there is more than one legal option to augment for a given amount, does the dorje's crafter have to select which augmentation is used, or can the activator choose when manifesting?

[Curmudgeon]

Re: A 818 [correction]

Situational Modifiers are probably appropriate - for instance a SU fireball is in reality about DC0 - everyone knows what it is.

This statement is contradicted by the RAW. The actuality is that a Supernatural or Spell-like ability duplicating a Fireball spell cannot be identified by Spellcraft at all.

The only way to use Spellcraft to identify a Fireball spell is to see or hear the spell’s verbal or somatic components as it's being cast. If instead you're trying to identify a Supernatural or Spell-like effect there is obviously no casting involved. An Instantaneous effect cannot be identified as "already in place and in effect" because the magic is instantaneously used up and gone. A Fireball is not targeted against anyone, so there is no option to use Spellcraft after making a saving throw.

A componentless Fireball, an alchemical fire bomb, and laser beams shooting out of a robot will all cause fire damage. None of these can be distinguished using the Spellcraft skill.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Q 844

Are there any specific rules governing Small characters riding Large mounts (like a Halfling Ashworm Dragoon)? Is it the exact same as Small creatures riding Medium mounts?

[Andezzar]

Q 845

How do the following two rules interact?

Instead, the character chooses a particular part of the day to pray and receive spells.
[...]
If some event prevents a character from praying at the proper time, he must do so as soon as possible. If the character does not stop to pray for spells at the first opportunity, he must wait until the next day to prepare spells.

However, the character’s mind is considered fresh only during his or her first daily spell preparation, so a divine spellcaster cannot fill a slot that is empty because he or she has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell.

Does that mean a spell slot that is not filled with a spell is lost for the day or does it mean divine casters can like arcane ones later prepare a spell in a previously open slot?

Q 846

What does the Spell Ebon Eyes actually do for a character without low-light or darkvision? The description seems to contradict itself:

The subject of this spell gains the ability to see normally in natural and magical darkness, although it does not otherwise improve the subject’s ability to see in natural dark or shadowy conditions. The subject ignores the miss chance due to lack of illumination other than total darkness.

[willpell]

Scratch my previous question, but now I have a new one.

Q847
The Heavy Warhorse has +3 BAB and 18 Strength, which should mean it has +7 on melee attacks. But its attack is listed as "Hoof +6 melee". Is this just copypasta, or is there a penalty I'm not aware of?

[Ranting Fool]

Scratch my previous question, but now I have a new one.

Q847
The Heavy Warhorse has +3 BAB and 18 Strength, which should mean it has +7 on melee attacks. But its attack is listed as "Hoof +6 melee". Is this just copypasta, or is there a penalty I'm not aware of?

A847
Large creatures get -1 to hit.
Small get +1

[St Fan]

Q848

The Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell metamagic feats (from the Book of Exalted Deeds) can give any spell the good descriptor.

What about spells that have already the evil descriptor? Can they be made into good spells with these feats?

[willpell]

A847
Large creatures get -1 to hit.
Small get +1

thud OH, RIGHT. (thanks.)

A848
Not by Good clerics, at any rate, as they can't cast the spells in the first place. For characters with no such restriction, I think it would work, though Exalted status might give you the same restriction as a cleric, not sure.

[qwertyu63]

A 845
Divine casters have to prepare all of their spells in one go. As your quotes say, your "mind is considered fresh only during his or her first daily spell preparation". Slots left open can't be filled after the fact, so don't leave any open.

[willpell]

Q849
Can a factotum spend multiple inspiration points in the course of a single action? For instance, 1 to add his Intelligence to an attack roll, 1 to add it to the damage roll, 1 to give it Sneak Attack, and maybe 1 to boost a Skill check (such as Hide if he was sniping) right afterward?

[Venger]

A849 Yes, because the different uses for inspiration points are called out in their description.

Cunning insight (add int to damage/atk/save) doesn't require an action and is explicitly usable as often as you like during your turn or others' turns as long as you have the points to pay for it

Cunning strike (sneak attack) is a free action, and is usable only 1/round/enemy. if 2 guys were standing next to you, then you could full attack and SA each of them in sequence (assuming you were under improved invis or something)

Cunning knowledge (boost to skills) is also not an action, you use it as part of whatever action you take using that skill.

cunning defense is a free action, as is cunning breach.

cunning surge does not take an action of any kind, but can only be used during your turn.

cunning dodge also does not take an action, but is obviously usable during others' turns

[Dusk Eclipse]

Q850:Does having Psi-like abilities which have Manifester Level=HD (from Phrenic Template for example) would qualify me for a Prestige Class that requires ML 5 as a pre-requisite?

[Curmudgeon]

A 846

The text of Ebon Eyes is confusing; it's not contradictory. The short description of the spell (found in the spell lists in Chapter 2 of Spell Compendium) has the main feature that this spell provides:

Ebon Eyes: Subject can see through magical darkness.

The rest of it is here:

The subject ignores the miss chance due to lack of illumination other than total darkness.

From the "Exploration" section of the Player's Handbook Adventuring chapter (page 164):

In an area of shadowy illumination, a character can see dimly. Creatures within this area have concealment (see page 152) relative to that character.

So the main benefit of Ebon Eyes is that given in the short description (ignore magical darkness effects). The secondary benefit is to skip the 20% miss chance from natural dim light. Otherwise, the subject sees normally.

A 848

Yes, Purify Spell and Consecrate Spell will give spells the [Good] descriptor. Note that this will not remove any [Evil] descriptor from those spells.

[zanetheinsane]

Q851

The "Enfeebling" weapon enchantment from BoED states: "Enfeebling:On a critical hit, this weapon deals 1d6+2 points of temporary Strength damage in addition to its regular damage."

In the FAQ, this question is posed: "The flaming burst, icy burst, and shocking burst weapon powers require a critical hit to trigger the burst. What happens when you attack a foe that isn’t subject to critical hits? What happens if your critical hit is negated by fortification?"

With the relevant answer being:

If an effect is negated, it is invalidated, prevented, or ended with respect to a designated area or target. That’s true whether the negation is automatic (such as from immunity) or contingent upon a roll or check (fortification).
If another effect is contingent on the success of a root effect (like, say, any of the burst weapons in the DMG, which are triggered on a successful critical hit), and the root effect is negated, the contingent effect is also negated. In the case of these burst weapons, if the critical hit is negated so is the burst weapon’s critical-dependant effect, since it is triggered on a “successful critical hit” (DMG 224 Flaming Burst entry and DMG 225 Icy Burst and Shocking Burst entries). There are exceptions to this rule, but they are called out specifically in the effect’s description...

I have seen numerous places say that the strength damage from Enfeebling should apply even against critical-immune enemies but have never seen them cite any single rule or passage as to why.

This section of the FAQ (and almost common sense, which as we know has no place in D&D rulings sometimes) seems to heavily suggest otherwise.

Now, obviously on to the question: Does the strength damage from enfeebling apply to critical hits rolled against enemies immune to critical hits?

[Andezzar]

A 845
Divine casters have to prepare all of their spells in one go. As your quotes say, your "mind is considered fresh only during his or her first daily spell preparation". Slots left open can't be filled after the fact, so don't leave any open.

The problem is there are no rules for what "considered fresh" means. The part of the sentence that you did not quote goes "so a divine spellcaster cannot fill a slot that is empty because he or she has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell". Not preparing a spell in a spell slot is neither of those two reasons why a slot cannot be filled later.

[Curmudgeon]

A 851

The confusion stems from a single weapon special ability (flaming burst) and this passage from page 222 of Dungeon Master's Guide:

Magic Weapons and Critical Hits: Some weapon qualities and some specific weapons have an extra effect on a critical hit. A flaming burst weapon, for example, does extra fire damage on a critical hit. This special effect functions against creatures not subject to critical hits, such as undead, elementals, and constructs. When fighting against such creatures, roll for critical hits as you would against humanoids or any other creature subject to critical hits. On a successful critical roll, apply the special effect, but do not multiply the weapon’s regular damage. For example, if Jozan rolls a natural 20 on his attack roll against an iron golem when using a mace of smiting, he rolls again. If he rolls high enough to hit the iron golem’s AC, then he does not apply double damage. Instead, he destroys the construct outright.

As the above passage states, some weapon qualities trigger on a critical hit even against critical-immune targets. The confusion arises from the two examples given: the Mace of Smiting description specifically calls out its ability to damage Constructs (who are normally immune to criticals) on a critical hit; the flaming burst ability does not specify such an override. The DMG Errata file does not correct this problem.

Magic Item Compendium provides examples of weapon properties which function against critical-immune enemies. Here's one (desiccating burst):

(This effect activates even if the target is not normally vulnerable to extra damage from critical hits.)

After that long explanation, the short answer regarding enfeebling is: without a specific override as in the above example, this weapon property follows the standard rules ─ meaning if a target is immune to critical hits, enfeebling does nothing.

[Sedgewood]

Q852

Is there a spell that functions like anti-life shell, but works on undead? In other words, undead cannot enter the affected area, with no save allowed.

[LordDrakulzen]

Q853: Do Starmantle Cloak (or Starmantle Spell, or the Starmantle ability) from BoED and the Evasion ability (be it class or magically granted) stack?

Meaning if my Rogue 2/Fighter 15 were to wear the cloak, be attacked by a Blackguard with a +2 Unholy mace, and make the DC 15 save for half damage, does he in fact take no damage?


Q854: What happens to the unarmed/natural attacks for something that attacks a wearer of the Starmantle line of abilities?

The starmantle renders the wearer impervious to nonmagical weapon attacks and transforms any nonmagical weapon or missile that strikes it into harmless light, destroying it forever.

Are a Monks hands/feet/head/elbow destroyed forever? A tiger's fangs?

[Andezzar]

A 854

Natural attack (and the appendages used for them) are not weapons or missiles. So they are not destroyed.

A Monk's unarmed strike is only "treated both as a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve either manufactured weapons or natural weapons." Being transformed into harmless light and destroyed would hardly be an enhancement.