Simple RAW Thread for 3.5 #33: Doesn't everything popular die when 33?

[ksbsnowowl]

A 348

Neither. You deal double damage with the melee weapon, not with any other bonuses such as strength or power attack.

A +1 Longsword instead of dealing 1d8+1 as normal, deals 2d8+2 instead.

A 348 Correction (and self-answer).

Found the answer:

Multiplying Damage
Sometimes you multiply damage by some factor, such as on a critical hit. Roll the damage (with all modifiers) multiple times and total the results. Note: When you multiply damage more than once, each multiplier works off the original, unmultiplied damage.

Exception: Extra damage dice over and above a weapon’s normal damage are never multiplied.

This rule doesn't only apply to criticals. Crits are called out as being one example of when this rule is applied.

Thus, the correct answer is 2d8+18 damage.

Q 351
If a fiend is using the possession rules from Fiendish Codex I, and is currently possessing a host, and has Transformed that host into a new version of itself, and some other character casts Discern Location on the fiend in question, does the diviner get two answers (for the fiend's body, and its incorporeal possessing aspect)? Or only one? If only one, which is exposed (body or spirit)?

[heavyfuel]

A 348 Contention

This isn't what the ability states though. It states you multiply the damage from the weapon. It's very different than simply multiplying all the damage.

When mounted and using the charge action, you deal double damage with a melee weapon (or triple damage with a lance).

Substitute, the indefinite article "a" in "a melee weapon" for the definite article and it makes things a lot more clear. "you deal double damage with the melee weapon". The melee weapon isn't melee weapon + power attack + strength bonus. However, since the feat can be used with any melee weapon, they used the indefinite article instead of the definite one, but the reading doesn't change.

Further discussion, if you so want, should be had in a different thread to avoid clogging the Q&A

[Westhart]

Question #351

When using the Apostate feat (Elder Evils) which reads:

You gain a profane bonus equal to one-half your character level on saving throws against divine spells. You cannot voluntarily fail a saving throw against a divine spell, even if the spell is harmless.

Does that mean you must attempt a saving throw against harmless spells? As normally you don't fail them, you just don't make a save right?

[heavyfuel]

Question #351

When using the Apostate feat (Elder Evils) which reads:


Does that mean you must attempt a saving throw against harmless spells? As normally you don't fail them, you just don't make a save right?

A 352

The spell is usually beneficial, not harmful, but a targeted creature can attempt a saving throw if it desires.

If you can attempt a Save, means you can also not attempt. So the feat effectively has no drawbacks

[ksbsnowowl]

A 348 Contention

This isn't what the ability states though. ...

We will have to agree to disagree.

Q 353
If a Balor is summoned (via a Klurichur's Summon Tanar'ri ability, for example), under what circumstances can its Death Throes ability activate?

Summoning
A summoning spell instantly brings a creature or object to a place you designate. When the spell ends or is dispelled, a summoned creature is instantly sent back to where it came from, but a summoned object is not sent back unless the spell description specifically indicates this. A summoned creature also goes away if it is killed or if its hit points drop to 0 or lower. It is not really dead. It takes 24 hours for the creature to reform, during which time it can’t be summoned again.
...

Death Throes (Ex): When killed, a balor explodes in a blinding flash of light that deals 100 points of damage to anything within 100 feet (Reflex DC 30 half). This explosion automatically destroys any weapons the balor is holding. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Summoned creatures can be killed, as displayed in the [Summoning] subschool text. I'm guessing the most foe-friendly interpretation is that if the summoned Balor is killed via something like Disintegrate or a Death effect, it would explode in its Death Throes, but if defeated because its hit points were dropped to 0 or less, it would not.

An alternative interpretation could be if its hit points were dropped to 0 through –9, it would not explode, but if the final hit takes it from positive hit points straight to –10, it would explode.

[Jopustopin]

Q 354

Can you attack an adjacent large creature with a reach weapon by targeting the squares he occupies that are ten feet away?

Q 355
If you say "No" for 354, then could you purposely close your eyes and attack into those same squares with your weapon to take advantage of giving the large creature total concealment?

[Debatra]

A 354 Yes, though it would get cover from... itself.

...Except because it's a Large creature, you can choose any square it occupies to determine if it has cover against your melee attacks, so it probably doesn't.

I realize that doesn't make a lot of sense, but RAW and logic aren't always on speaking terms.

[heavyfuel]

A 354 - Contention

You can't.

A reach weapon is a melee weapon that allows its wielder to strike at targets that aren’t adjacent to him or her. Most reach weapons double the wielder’s natural reach, meaning that a typical Small or Medium wielder of such a weapon can attack a creature 10 feet away, but not a creature in an adjacent square. A typical Large character wielding a reach weapon of the appropriate size can attack a creature 15 or 20 feet away, but not adjacent creatures or creatures up to 10 feet away.

Despite occupying more than one square, the creature is still adjacent to you and can't be attacked.

A 355

Ask your DM. Though you certainly could attack the square, a successful attack would attack the creature, which can't be attacked. You have two conflicting rules, both from the same primary source, so this is exclusively "ask your DM" territory.

[ksbsnowowl]

A 354 - Contention

You can't.

...

Despite occupying more than one square, the creature is still adjacent to you and can't be attacked.

A 354 - Addendum
The above is true for a Medium or Small creature wielding a reach weapon.

A Large creature with 10-foot reach who wields a reach weapon could create the situation the OP of question 354 was asking about, and not be adjacent to the Large creature it is attacking with a reach weapon.

[heavyfuel]

A 354 - Addendum Contention.

The SRD describes this situation in the posted quote, so the same situation still occurs.

A typical Large character wielding a reach weapon of the appropriate size can attack a creature 15 or 20 feet away, but not adjacent creatures or creatures up to 10 feet away.

Rules Compendium p.116 also brings this clause, but applies it to creatures of all sizes

Large or larger creatures using reach weapons can attack at up to double their natural reach, but they can’t attack within their natural reach or less.

[Jopustopin]

A 354 Yes, though it would get cover from... itself.

...Except because it's a Large creature, you can choose any square it occupies to determine if it has cover against your melee attacks, so it probably doesn't.

I realize that doesn't make a lot of sense, but RAW and logic aren't always on speaking terms.

I mean, he would still have cover since there is no square where an attack doesn't pass through one of his own squares.




To everyone saying no, what about my second question? Can you just close your eyes and attack into the square you think he occupies that your weapon can attack into?

[heavyfuel]

To everyone saying no, what about my second question? Can you just close your eyes and attack into the square you think he occupies that your weapon can attack into?

I did answer your second question.

A 355

Ask your DM. Though you certainly could attack the square, a successful attack would attack the creature, which can't be attacked. You have two conflicting rules, both from the same primary source, so this is exclusively "ask your DM" territory.

Honestly, this might be getting too convoluted for the RAW Q&A. Further and arguments should be made in a separate thread.

[Debatra]

Honestly, this might be getting too convoluted for the RAW Q&A. Further and arguments should be made in a separate thread.

ten characters
Agreed.

[Vaern]

Q 356

Does a character need to be epic level to use epic skill effects? Or does he simply need to be able to roll high enough to meet the DC?

[heavyfuel]

A 356

You only need beat the DC. There is one case I can think of in which you need an Epic Feat to use the epic skill (Epic Iaijutsu Focus). In this case, since you need an Epic Feat, you must an Epic Character

[NoAnonimo]

Acording to PH p137

Most creatures larger than medium have a natural reach of 10 feet or more.

Also, on page 149.

Creatures that take more than 1 square typically have a natural reach of 10 feet or more, meaning thay they can reach targets even if they aren't in adjacent squares. For insance, an ogre can attack targets up to 10 feet (2 squares) away from it in any direction, even diagonally. (This is an exception to the rule that 2 squares of diagonal distance is measured as 15 feet).
Large or larger creatures using reach weapons can strike up to double their natural reach but can't strike at their natural reach or less. For example, an ogre with a Large longspear could strike with the longspear at opponents 15 or 20 feet away, but not at those 5 or 10 feet away."

So, a Large creature with a spiked chain threat area would look like this:

Dark-blue area: Creature squares.
Light-blue area: Adjacent squares (up to 10 feet, even diagonally)
Gray-blue area: reach squares (15 to 20 feet away, as shown on quote).

Q357:
Would a large creature with a reach weapon threat the ? squares?
(There's no info on SRD besides the exception noted above).
This means: would the ? squares be 20 or 25 away for the corners of the Dark-Blue area?

[AsteriskAmp]

Q 358 How does the spell Sympathetic Vibrations interact with big freestanding buildings like towers or cathedrals. Are you simultaneously damaging every single part of the building or just one component?

[KillianHawkeye]

A 357

No, a Large creature with reach does not threaten the spaces you've marked with question marks. In fact, the area they threaten is even smaller than that (and more circular in shape). See the diagram on page 308 of the DMG.

[Debatra]

A 357 Correction

Text trumps table, so the visual aid is wrong because the both the text underneath and the main text contradicts it. The spaces with question marks are threatened with a reach weapon.

[zergling.exe]

A 357 Correction

Text trumps table, so the visual aid is wrong because the both the text underneath and the main text contradicts it. The spaces with question marks are threatened with a reach weapon.

Um, can you explain how? By the rules, the first diagonal counts as 5, and the second counts as 10, then repeat. So going out from the corner 4 squares would need a reach of 30 feet. Note that the exception for 2 squares is only for creatures with a 10-foot reach. With a reach weapon such a creature would have a 20-foot reach and thus no longer use that exception.

[Debatra]

A. It doesn't say that it's only for those creatures.

B. Even if it did, the same text appears in the description of reach weapons anyway.

[KillianHawkeye]

A. It doesn't say that it's only for those creatures.

B. Even if it did, the same text appears in the description of reach weapons anyway.

I don't think that text says what you think it does.

[NoAnonimo]

Well, I'm happy I asked, then. It appears that is not quite clear. I'll talk to the GM. But it makes me wonder:

Q359

If a medium race (Human) drinks a potion and becomes large while holding a spiked chain, will it counts as Large[Tall] or Large[Long] creature, as the DMG308 graphic? (Note that this doesn't define its threat range).


I agree that reach weapons should have increased range, I think it shouldn't threat the ? squares (to make the area a little more 'round') but couldn't find a RAW rule for that.

[zergling.exe]

Well, I'm happy I asked, then. It appears that is not quite clear. I'll talk to the GM. But it makes me wonder:

Q359

If a medium race (Human) drinks a potion and becomes large while holding a spiked chain, will it counts as Large[Tall] or Large[Long] creature, as the DMG308 graphic? (Note that this doesn't define its threat range).


I agree that reach weapons should have increased range, I think it shouldn't threat the ? squares (to make the area a little more 'round') but couldn't find a RAW rule for that.

A 359

Bipeds are [Tall] and Quadrupeds are [Long]. Other body types are DM dependent.

The standard 'diagonals count as 2 squares' rule rounds out the circles. The only exception is when you have a reach of 10-feet, so that creatures can't walk right next to you without provoking an AoO.

[ShurikVch]

Q 360

Both Intimidate skill and Wild Empathy class feature are referring to Diplomacy skill; [epic] Diplomacy check may change attitude to Fanatic; is it possible to use Intimidate or Wild Empathy in similar way (presuming sufficiently high check results)?

Q 361

The "Halaster's Fetch ..." spells are working "As summon monster ..., except called creatures do not disappear at the end of the spell's duration." Does it mean those spells may be affected by feats, spells, magical items, or class features which are usually affecting Summon Monster spells, or the whole Summoning subschool in general (such as Augment Summoning feat, or Demonologist's Summoning Mastery)?

[Andezzar]

A 360

No for intimidate, because it explicitly sets the attitude to friendly.

If you beat your target’s check result, you may treat the target as friendly, but only for the purpose of actions taken while it remains intimidated.

Yes for Animal Empathy because it works like diplomacy.

This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check made to improve the attitude of a person.

[Chester]

Q362

Would a Marshal's Motivate Dexterity aura initiative bonus stack with a Dread Commando's Team Initiative Bonus?

[Thurbane]

Q362

Would a Marshal's Motivate Dexterity aura initiative bonus stack with a Dread Commando's Team Initiative Bonus?

A362

Yes: the Marshal's bonus is Circumstance, and the Dread Commando's bonus is Competence.

[King of Nowhere]

Q363: a) if someone is blinded (in this specific case by sunburst) but he has darkvision, does darkvision still work?
b) if that someone also had an item granting him see invisibility and true sight, did those effect still work within the limitations of darkvision?
c) what if someone does not have darkvision but he casts true seeing after being blinded?

[ShurikVch]

Q 364

Creatures with the Constitution nonability are "immune to any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless the effect works on objects or is harmless."
Yugoloth's Brain - optional Evil spell component in the Book of Vile Darkness - have 10% chance to make the spell don't allow saving throw
If it's happen, then does it will allow for spell which requires a Fortitude save, doesn't affects objects, and isn't harmless, to affect such creatures?
If yes - then what's will happen on [death] effect? Would they be destroyed, or will it just do nothing?


Q 365

If somebody would drop a Brilliant Energy weapon on a surface which lacks a living matter, does it mean the weapon should be sunk and lost?


Q 366

When you bind a soulmeld to a chakra, will it still give whatever benefit it gave in it's "unbound" form?


Q 367

Landshark Boots soulmeld:

Chakra Bind (Totem)
Your hands as well as your feet gain the heavy claws of a bulette, including one prominent central claw and two smaller claws on the sides. These massive claws emerge from the backs of your hands so you can bring them to bear while making a fist.

You can use the claws on your hands as natural weapons that deal 1d6 points of damage.
...
If, as part of a move, you achieve a Jump check result good enough to make a 5-foot high jump while within reach of an opponent, you can attack that opponent with all four claws as a standard action. You use the same attack bonus for all four attacks. You cannot make any other attacks in the same round, whether from natural weapons or manufactured weapons.

Is it possible to attack this way different enemies at the same turn, if they're within your reach after the jump?
Is it possible to improve the damage of claws with virtual size increases - such as from the Improved Natural Attack?


Q 368

Magic Weapons:

Hardness and Hit Points
Each +1 of enhancement bonus adds 2 to a weapon’s or shield’s hardness and +10 to its hit points.

Does it includes temporary bonus, such as from the Magic Weapon spell?
And, if yes - the how it will affect Monk's natural weapon?