Simple Raw Thread for 3.5 #28

[bjoern]

Q 101

Suppose character A is grappled, and character B is free. If they switch positions via Benign Transposition, is character B now grappled in A's place, or just occupying the square of the former?

A 101

I might be wrong but isn't "grappled" a condition. Like prone or stunned.
BT changes positions not conditions so I'd have to say no, B is not grappled (yet)

Correct me if I'm wrong

Edit--"pinned" is listed as a condition In the SRD. silent on grappled though. I'd have to say that upon transporting, B would have to make an immediate grapple check to see if he's free or not.

[Curmudgeon]

A 101 [correction]

I'd have to say that upon transporting, B would have to make an immediate grapple check to see if he's free or not.

Grapple checks are always opposed, and take place on one of the creatures' turns; making a grapple check is always a voluntary choice by one of the grappling creatures. There is no RAW basis for "an immediate grapple check". Also, if the spellcaster transposes two other creatures, it's not the turn of either grappling creature; the game lacks a mechanism to make opposed checks when neither party has a turn.

"Grappled" is a state that requires prior grapple checks to create. The transposed character is merely squeezed into an occupied space; they are not involved in grappling.

[Andezzar]

Q 101

If a character is teleported out of a grapple, does he immediately cease to be grappled?

[Skevvix]

A87 - Contention - contention

The new spell is not added to the Sorc/Wiz Spell list, but to that specific character's Spell List. Pretty much the same way a Cleric with the Animal Domain can cast Calm Animals from a scroll with no UMD, but a cleric without it must use UMD.

[Curmudgeon]

A 101 Yes.

Step 4
Maintain Grapple. To maintain the grapple for later rounds, you must move into the target’s space.

If you cease to be in the same space as the other grappling creature(s), the grapple is no longer maintained.

[HaikenEdge]

Q102

If a character starts out as a monk, then takes a level of druid and takes the Deadly Hunter ACF, do the two AC bonuses stack?

[heavyfuel]

A 87

A87 - Contention - contention

The new spell is not added to the Sorc/Wiz Spell list, but to that specific character's Spell List. Pretty much the same way a Cleric with the Animal Domain can cast Calm Animals from a scroll with no UMD, but a cleric without it must use UMD.

This doesn't work because while Domain spells may not be on the Cleric's list, they have a written exception for this in the rules.

A cleric also gets one domain spell of each spell level he can cast, starting at 1st level. When a cleric prepares a spell in a domain spell slot, it must come from one of his two domains

[Dunsparce]

Q103

I could've sworn that there was a book in 3.5 that ruled that items with enhancement Bonuses to Stats and/or Resistance Bonuses to Saves cost the same regardless of what slot it was made for.

If such a thing exists, what is the book and page number of this?

[Curmudgeon]

A 102 No.

Bonuses from the same named source (AC Bonus) do not stack.

[KillianHawkeye]

A 103

I'm pretty sure you are thinking about the rule from Magic Item Compendium that allows common enchantments (such as enhancement bonuses to ability scores and resistance bonuses to saving throws, among others) to be added to existing items without the 50% mark-up that a magic item with multiple magical upgrades usually costs. These things, however, still have preferred body slots that they need to go in.

See "Adding Common Item Effects to Existing Items" on pages 233-234 of MIC.

[Niwrad]

Q 104: if creature A is grappling creature B, and creature C succeeds in grappling creature A, can creature A continue to grapple creature B while being grappled by creature C?

[Harlot]

Q105
Regarding the 'silence' spell, this:

The spell can be cast on a point in space, but the effect is stationary unless cast on a mobile object.

Does this mean you can cast this on a mobile object such as a rock or even better, arrows, and then have that object land amongst your enemies, stopping them from casting (verbal components) and communicating amongst each other?

[heavyfuel]

A 105

Indeed, and the creatures in the area don't get a save as well. Note that they can choose to just move away from the pebble, also that if the object you choose to affect is being attended by someone (say, their weapon) then the spell only works if they fail their saving throw

[Andezzar]

A 105 Addendum

The rock or any other thrown weapon is better than ammunition. Ammunition breaks on impact with its target. So the spell ceases to function because the conditions of the casting can no longer be met.

[Thurbane]

Q 106

Is there any way, other than Southern Magician, to create a divine scroll of a Wu-Jen only spell?

[Ruethgar]

Q 107 Chameleons can't use abilities attained from aptitude focus and ability boon to qualify for various options. But could they qualify for spellcasting and caster level options since those are not abilities? As I understand it, the D&D glossary overrides English for definitions so your abilities would only include Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom, Intellect, and Charisma rather than the English version of things you are able to do.

[Fax Celestis]

A106 A Wu Jen/Archivist/Mystic Theurge (or similar) with Alternative Source Spell should also be able to do it. A 12th level Warlock should be also able to do it, as well as an artificer of any level.

[Curmudgeon]

A 107 No.

"Ability" is an overloaded term in D&D. In addition to ability scores, there are also class abilities, as mentioned on page 23 of Player's Handbook:

Special: Level-dependent class abilities, each explained in the Class Features section that follows.

You can’t use any abilities gained from your aptitude focus, ability boon, or mimic class feature abilities to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other option.

This Chameleon's restriction isn't limited to ability scores; it includes all D&D abilities, including named class abilities like Arcane Focus, Combat Focus, Divine Focus, and so on.

[heavyfuel]

Q 108

The Marshal's Auras (Ex) ability has the following statement in its description:

"All bonuses granted by a marshal's auras are circumstance bonuses that do not stack with each other."

So if two Marshals are together, one projecting "Motivate Strength" and the other "Motivate Dexterity", do you only get the bonus to one of the auras? I think not, but I want to check.

Also, If one has "Motivate Strength", and the other "Art of War", does a character in range of both get both bonuses to something like a Trip attempt?

[Andezzar]

A 108

Any stacking rule only comes into play if the bonuses apply to the same ability. A bonus to DEX and a bonus to STR always both apply since they do not modify the same ability. Only if both bonuses were to apply to DEX (for example) the stacking rules would come into play.

Motivate STR and Art of war both apply to a trip attempt for the reason above. One gives a bonus to STR checks and the other to trip attempts.

[Harlot]

EDIT: Answered perfectly by heavyfuel, below.
Thanks!

@Q105, additional question:
OK, I cast 'silence' on a rock and throw it into the melee.

Stupid a** question: Where do I find the rules for throwing stuff?
(How far can I toss an object, how do I know I hit my mark (say, the center of the skirmish) If I am not trying to 'hit' an opponent.
I can't seem to find the rules anywhere, and I KNOW this will be an issue.

Also: Can I have a caster do nothing but 'silencing rocks', and then have his allies tossing them at the opponents? I can't se why not, but may be missing something?

(I am thinking tuckers kobolds, yes. )

[heavyfuel]

A 105

A rock is an improvised weapon, therefore, it has a Range Increment of 10ft (so you can throw it up to 50ft) and a 5ft square has AC 5, so you need to hit that in order to have the rock fall there. As an improved weapon, you take -4 on your Attack Roll, and an additional -2 per range increment.

It's also ok to have the caster only silence the rocks while everyone else throws them.

[AlanBruce]

Q. 106

Can an Ice Storm be cast underwater? The spell description never states otherwise, unlike fog spells, but given the name, I wanted to make sure.

[Curmudgeon]

A 106

Yes, Ice Storm can be cast underwater. However, the magical hailstones are ineffective, as are all other thrown or dropping weapon attacks.

Ranged Attacks Underwater

Thrown weapons are ineffective underwater, even when launched from land. Attacks with other ranged weapons take a -2 penalty on attack rolls for every 5 feet of water they pass through, in addition to the normal penalties for range.

Ice Storm's penalty to Listen checks remains.

[Khatoblepas]

A106 Contention

Ice Storm is not a thrown weapon, it is a spell with an area of effect. It doesn't even have an attack roll. Giant hailstones may pound down for one full round, but it says nothing about what happens if they are slowed down or sink slowly.

It does exactly what the spell says: Giant hailstones pound down and deal 3d6 bludgeoning, 2d6 cold damage to everyone in the area.

[No brains]

Q 109
When a spellcaster takes their 8 hours of 'restful calm' before preparing spells, they are restricted from any task that is 'physically demanding'. How far can a spellcaster move during this time under their own power? What about by ship, cart, or riding?

[Ruethgar]

Q 110

I know that you can convert all spells into powers but is there a way to convert powers into spells?

Edit: Found it.

[Curmudgeon]

Re: A 106 Contention

Ice Storm is not a thrown weapon, it is a spell with an area of effect. It doesn't even have an attack roll.

The rules for spells state that Ice Storm is an attack. From page 171 of Player's Handbook:

Attacks: Some spell descriptions refer to attacking. For instance, invisibility is dispelled if you attack anyone or anything while under its effects. All offensive combat actions, even those that don’t damage opponents (such as disarm and bull rush) are considered attacks. Attempts to turn or rebuke undead count as attacks. All spells that opponents resist with saving throws, that deal damage, or that otherwise harm or hamper subjects are attacks.

As a ranged attack spell, when cast underwater Ice Storm's effects are modified per the Ranged Attacks Underwater rules.

[heavyfuel]

Re: Re: A 106

Re: A 106 Contention
The rules for spells state that Ice Storm is an attack. From page 171 of Player's Handbook: As a ranged attack spell, when cast underwater Ice Storm's effects are modified per the Ranged Attacks Underwater rules.

Ok, but why did you consider them to be Thrown Weapons? By your clarification, it's pretty clear that it's an attack, but I don't see how it's a thrown weapon.

[Nettlekid]

Q111
Can you make a Skull Talisman containing a Wish spell? Skull Talismans state that the spell must target a creature, and Wish's effects can target a creature but they also can not.