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

[Roland St. Jude]

(This is a fairly high procedure thread; please read the entire instructions carefully before posting. Thanks.)

Ever have a simple, straight-forward rules question that you can’t figure out the answer to? Ask it here. No question is too simple. No more worrying about whether your question is “worth” starting a thread. Ask here and receive an answer. You are, of course, welcome to start a thread for your question, and if you think your question is subject to many interpretations or will start a debate, you are encouraged to start a new thread for it.

This thread will serve as a catch-all for simple, discreet questions that can be answered quickly according to the RAW (Rules As Written). This thread is for all simple RAW questions about D&D 3.5. If your question is not about the RAW for 3.5, please look in the appropriate threads in the appropriate forums.


The Procedure:

Do:
Label your questions with bold Q#s.
Label your answers with the bold Q# that you are responding to and/or quote the question.
Be sure that your answer is correct before you post it; if you are the least bit uncertain, just let it pass and get the next one.
Try to give your answers in as clear and straightforward terms as possible.
Feel free to quote or link to relevant rules in the SRD, Errata, or FAQ that supports your answer. (You may want to give your answer and then modify it to add support – otherwise someone else may answer while you’re assembling yours.)
Specify if your question is for a system other than D&D (the default for this thread).

Don’t:
Ask Homebrew rules questions here.
Ask trick questions or attempt to “stump the panel,” so to speak.
Answer a question that’s already been answered.
Offer contradictions, clarifications, exceptions, or extensions of prior answers unless, in your opinion, the answer give is plainly and completely wrong.
Post to debate the answers given.
Post to carry on other conversations whether tangentially related or wholly unrelated.

Dispute Resolution Procedure:
If you dispute someone’s answer – meaning that they got it wrong in a critical fashion – post your answer and suggest that the original questioner start a thread to discuss it further if they want it hashed out.
If someone disputes your answer, don’t respond. Just wait to see if the original questioner starts a new thread to discuss it.
If your question leads to a disputed answer, start a new thread if you’d like it discussed further.

Here are some sample questions. “Bad” questions just mean they should be asked in their own thread where you can get many answers and opinions. “Good” questions just mean that these are the types of questions that are amenable to a quick straightforward answer (probably).

Sample “Bad” Questions:
How do I play D&D? (Great question, but not for this thread.)
What is a good 10 level TWF build? (Far too broad and requires much opinion)
What +2 LA race should I take for my sorcerer build? (Again, an opinion question)
Which is better GURPS or D&D?

Sample “Good” Questions:
Q.1. Are there any Large +0 LA races?
Q.2. As a sorcerer/rogue, do I get to add sneak attack damage to my attack spells?
Q.3. What effect would Dispel Magic have on a golem or similar construct?
Q.4. Is there a feat that allows me to get a familiar?

Please start over with the numbering. When this one reached 50 pages, please report it so that we can start a new one. Thanks.

[Flame of Anor]

Q 1

Does the "disintegrate does not affect trees" trick actually work? Someone I know said that non-plant-creature plants count as inanimate objects, hence nonliving material.

[TuggyNE]

A1: Yes. Anything not statted up as a creature lacks Wis and Cha scores; therefore, according to the Nonabilities section in Special Abilities, it is an object, not a creature. (Cows, oddly, seem to fit this category by strict RAW.) The Plant type has this to say:

Note that regular plants, such as one finds growing in gardens and fields, lack Wisdom and Charisma scores (see Nonabilities) and are not creatures, but objects, even though they are alive.

[PetterTomBos]

Q2

I remember a picture of a skull with some green gas or whatever around it. I believe it is a monster. Does anyone know which book?

[TuggyNE]

Q2

I remember a picture of a skull with some green gas or whatever around it. I believe it is a monster. Does anyone know which book?

This isn't necessarily simple, but it sounds a little like the Unbodied. If that's not it, try opening a new thread for it.

[killem2]

Q 3: When the party and enemies in a given area are under the same conditions for viewing, do you roll that given spot distance (like under murky water it is 1d8x10) for each person or is it rolled once and that is the distance EVERYONE can see?

[Vaz]

A2 - Alternative

Tome of Magic for Acererak, found in the section detailing Vestiges.

[dysprosium]

Q2

I remember a picture of a skull with some green gas or whatever around it. I believe it is a monster. Does anyone know which book?

A2 Alternative:

Flameskull was a monster from Faerun (either Monsters of Faerun or Lost Empires of Faerun)

[SciChronic]

Q4
When using knowledge devotion, is it the same roll as used for identifying a creature? (benefiting from things such as collector of stories) or are they separate rolls?

[mattie_p]

A4: It is the same check.

Knowledge skills provide the ability to make a skill check in order to identify a creature.

Knowledge Devotion confirms that it is the same check, and provides an added benefit when you do so:

Whenever you fight a creature, you can make a Knowledge check based on its type, as described on page 78 of the Player’s Handbook, provided that you have at least one rank in the appropriate Knowledge skill.

You then receive an insight bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls against that creature type for the remainder of the combat.

Now, going back to the knowledge skill:

Try Again
No. The check represents what you know, and thinking about a topic a second time doesn’t let you know something that you never learned in the first place.

So you can't try again, you get one check against a creature that gives both benefits.

[Thurbane]

Q 005

This may not strictly be a RAW question – is Marshal considered an associated class for any monster, to determine CR?

[mythmonster2]

Q6: When using Wild Shape, Polymorph, or anything else that changes you into another creature, do you retain your own feats?

[Curmudgeon]

A 3

There are two sorts of rolls involved here. The first is the maximum encounter distance, dictated by the terrain type; that's always in a section named like "Stealth and Detection <in terrain type>". As you noted, that's 1d8 x 10' in murky water, a roll made by the DM. That sets the limiting distance for which visibility is possible. When they are within that distance, all characters (both PCs and NPCs) get individual Spot checks to determine if they can see any of the other party. An encounter will begin when at least one character has succeeded on such a Spot check, with those who haven't succeeded being surprised.

[Lord_Kuragari]

Q7: how much does a +1 to con increase your hp by?

Q8: is there any real conversion rate from cp>sp>gp?

[SciChronic]

Q7: how much does a +1 to con increase your hp by?

Q8: is there any real conversion rate from cp>sp>gp?

A7
if you mean by constitution modifier, a +1 modifier means you gain 1 additional max hp per character level thus a +2 modifier adds 2 hp to you max HP per character level (does not stack, going from +1 to +2 does not mean you gain +3 per character level). If by ability score, it depends. going from 10 to 11 does nothing whereas going from 11 to 12 changes your modifier from a 0 to +1, causing the changes stated.

A8
currency conversion uses a base 10 model. 10cp = 1 sp, 10sp = 1gp, 10gp = 1pp

[KillianHawkeye]

Q7: how much does a +1 to con increase your hp by?

A 7

A +1 bonus to Constitution will not increase your HP at all unless your Constitution score was an odd number.

To be clear, bonus HP is based on your Con modifier, not your Con score. Mathematically, your Con modifier is equal to (Con score - 10)/2 rounded down.

If at any time your Con modifier increases, then you will get an additional Hit Point per level (or Hit Die) for each point by which your Con modifier increases.

Q8: is there any real conversion rate from cp>sp>gp?

A 8

Yes. The conversion rates are as follows:

1 pp = 10 gp
1 gp = 10 sp
1 sp = 10 cp

[Jon_Dahl]

Q9

If you place a portable hole within a bag of holding, does it create a one-way gate or two-way gate?

[killem2]

A 3

There are two sorts of rolls involved here. The first is the maximum encounter distance, dictated by the terrain type; that's always in a section named like "Stealth and Detection <in terrain type>". As you noted, that's 1d8 x 10' in murky water, a roll made by the DM. That sets the limiting distance for which visibility is possible. When they are within that distance, all characters (both PCs and NPCs) get individual Spot checks to determine if they can see any of the other party. An encounter will begin when at least one character has succeeded on such a Spot check, with those who haven't succeeded being surprised.

Addition to Q 3, Thanks! Now, when we determine the max distance to be seen, is it just who ever has the highest spot check among all rolls to see how notices who first? I don't know how many will actively trying to hide or move silently.

[Keld Denar]

A3 Supplimental

Its binary. You are surprised, or not surprised. Anyone from party A who spotted anyone from party B is not surprised, and vice versa. Anyone from party A who failed to spot anyone from party B is surprised and vice versa. If EVERYONE would be surprised, that means that nobody made the check, and that the encounter distance needs to be reduced to whatever distance would allow even one person to successfully make the check (+1 per 10 feet reduced), at which point that person and anyone else with a similar check sees the opposed party and gets to act in the surprise round, and everyone else is stuck picking arrows out of their chest cavities.

So the MAXIMUM encounter distance is listed by the DMG encounter tables, but the MINIMUM distance is determined by the opposed spot check. Sometimes the max and min are the same number, but when they aren't, always use the minimum distance.

[Verditude]

Q10
Can a bloodstorm blade gain the benefits of Point Blank Shot or Rapid Shot while using his Thunderous Throw ability? For instance, can a bloodstorm blade with Rapid Shot and base attack bonus 11 make four Thunderous Throw attacks in one round by using Lightning Ricochet, or just three?

[Verditude]

A6

Yes, and you don't gain the feats of the form assumed.
Edit: An exception is Baleful Polymorph, in which case you lose your feats.

[SciChronic]

A9
I would say 1 way, as doing so sucks everything within 10ft of the bag of holding gets sucked through the gate, destroys the bag and portable hole, closing the gate in the process. And this would be a near instant process.

[Duke of Urrel]

Q 11

Can you dispel a magic trap with an area dispel, or must you use a targeted dispel? And does it make a difference whether the magic trap is a spell trap or a magic item trap?

Here's what confuses me.

The description of the Dispel Magic spell on page 223 of the Player's Handbook has this to say about the "Area Dispel":

"For each object within the area that is the target of one or more spells, you make dispel checks as with creatures. Magic items are not affected by the area dispel.

For each ongoing area or effect spell whose point of origin is within the area of the dispel magic spell, you can make a dispel check to dispel the spell.

For each ongoing spell whose area overlaps with that of the dispel magic spell, you can make a dispel check to end the effect, but only within the overlapping area."

So far, so good. But in a sidebar to the description of the Disable Device skill on page 73, there appears this text:

"Magic Traps: Dispel magic helps here. Someone who succeeds on a caster level check against the level of the trap's creator suppresses the trap for 1d4 rounds. This works only with a targeted dispel magic, not the area version."

I can resolve my confusion if I apply the sidebar text on page 73 only to magic item traps, but not to spell traps. But maybe that's cheating. Must I interpret this sidebar text so as to include spell traps, such as the Glyph of Warding spell, as well as magic item traps? And if I must interpret it this way, then must this sidebar text take precedence over the quoted passage from the description of the Dispel Magic spell on page 223 (as a case of the principle that "specific trumps general")?

[Keld Denar]

A 11

AFAICT, most magical traps are actually a specific type of Wondrous Item. That's where the "suppressed for 1d4 rounds" part comes from, as that is what happens to permanent magic items when subject to a targeted dispel. Single fire magical "traps", like a Glyph of Warding are usually spells, however, not magic items, and could probably be disabled like a spell. Both can be detected like traps, but they are not the same.

A good rule of thumb would be if it's a resetting magical trap or a single trigger magic trap. The former can be suppressed with a targeted dispel, the later can be dispelled with any type of dispel magic, assuming the dispeller succeeds at the CL check.

[Sith_Happens]

Q 12

You may designate whether the effect applies to all creatures, creatures who share your faith or alignment, or creatures who adhere to another faith or alignment.

Does the bolded mean

1. All alignments other than that of the caster

or

2. The alignment(s) of the caster's choice?

[Raendyn]

A 12

You target everyone of a specific alignment (don't believe you can pick many different) OR you target everyone of a specific faith(again probably not many different faiths).

A 10

BSB treats attacks thrown weapons as melee attacks.
Rapid shot lets you do 1 more ranged attack.
SRD:

Ranged weapons are thrown weapons or projectile weapons that are not effective in melee.

YES, 11BaB BSB do 4 attacks in a full attack when using thrown weapons if he has Rapid Shot.

[Man on Fire]

Q 13
Swordsage/Rogue in stance Island of Blades and Rogue are fighting Orcs. In which of those situations they would be granted Sneak Attack and against which Orc?

S- Swordsage
R - Rogue
Numbers - Orc

SR
12

S
R1

RS
1

SR
1

S1
R2

S1
2R

S
1R2

1234
5RS6
7890

[SciChronic]

A13

If both you and an ally are adjacent to the same creature the two of you gain the benefit of flanking that opponent. you can gain this benefit against multiple opponents at the same time, as can your allies. If both you and an ally are adjacent to the same two creatures, the two of you gain the benefit of flanking against both creatures

In D&D rules adjacent includes squares that are caddy corner to the square. So:

In all of your examples except the last, R would be able to sneak attack all the orcs are adjacent to S and R at the same time.

However the last example has Orcs that are adjacent to R but not S and Orcs that are adjacent to S but not R

1234
5RS6
7890

R Adjacency:
1,2,3,5,7,8,9

S Adjacency:
2,3,4,6,8,9,0

Orcs within both sets:
2,3,8,9

so R could sneak attack orcs 2,3,8 and 9

[Balor01]

Q14

What limitations apply when using Shatter spell on a common sword?

I know there may be a question of:
- Will save by the person holding the sword
- Potentially half damage, given the fact item is not of crystalline form
- Potentially question of overcoming hardness

Please, elaborate this for me.

thanks

[Chronos]

A 14:

Shatter has three different uses: Sunder a whole bunch of crystalline objects (no damage rolled, Will negates), or sunder a single object of any composition (no damage rolled, Will negates), or do damage to a single crystalline creature (roll damage, Fort half). When using it against a sword, you're using the second option. No damage is rolled, so there's no question of halving the damage or reducing damage due to hardness: The sword is simply either shattered (if it fails its save), or is not (if it makes it). The save is only allowed if the sword is attended (and is equal to the attending creature's saving throw); if the sword were just sitting in a weapon rack, it would be guaranteed to be broken. If there were a bunch of crystal goblets and a crystal golem sitting next to the sword, they would be unaffected, since you weren't using those options of the spell.