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

[Arkhios]

Q 689

Does Monk's Belt grant a non-monk the ability to add Wisdom to his or her AC as well, or is it only the bonus +1 gained as if you were a 5th level monk?

[St Fan]

Q 690

The Magic Jar spell specify that the spellcaster using it keep his own level when in a host body. On the other hand, the hit points total is the one of the host.

What about Hit Dice? If the host possessed by a spellcaster is targeted by an effect depending on hit dice, are those of the host used, or the possessing spellcaster?

[Andezzar]

A 689

Everyone gets the AC bonus.

If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th-level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk’s AC bonus.

[Afgncaap5]

Q 691

I believe there's a monster in some first party book that is basically an animated face in a door. I can't find it, though, either because it's not in the books I'm checking or because I'm blind or something like that.

The creature looks like a pleasant face in a door, and has an accompanying picture. It's described as being a simple guardian, often one that asks riddles, and I think it might have some spellcasting or regenerative abilities. Any ideas about what book it's in?

[heavyfuel]

Q 687

What is the difference between HP and Bonus HP?

It's surprisingly unclear in the SRD, so thank you in advance if you have a good explanation.

A 687

"Bonus Hit Points" are a mechanic from the "Vitality and Wound Points" alternative rule in the Unearthed Arcana and SRD

Or was there a specific rules text that you had in mind?

[heavyfuel]

Q 691

I believe there's a monster in some first party book that is basically an animated face in a door. I can't find it, though, either because it's not in the books I'm checking or because I'm blind or something like that.

The creature looks like a pleasant face in a door, and has an accompanying picture. It's described as being a simple guardian, often one that asks riddles, and I think it might have some spellcasting or regenerative abilities. Any ideas about what book it's in?

A 691 - Partial

Any other information you might remember about this creature will help.

Size? Type? Challenge Rating?

You can use the follwing tool to search for monsters and you'll be pointed to the book and page you can find them in. As far as I know, the tool is rather complete: http://monsterfinder.dndrunde.de/

[Afgncaap5]

A 691 - Partial

Any other information you might remember about this creature will help.

Size? Type? Challenge Rating?

You can use the follwing tool to search for monsters and you'll be pointed to the book and page you can find them in. As far as I know, the tool is rather complete: http://monsterfinder.dndrunde.de/

Not that I can say with certainty. I assumed it'd be a construct and somewhere between fine and small in size, but limiting it to that doesn't pull up any good matches. Maybe I should be looking for magical equipment instead of a creature.

[Arkhios]

Q 692

Overchannel Feat (XPH)
While manifesting a power, you can increase your effective manifester level by one, but in so doing you take 1d8 points of damage. At 8th level, you can choose to increase your effective manifester level by two, but you take 3d8 points of damage. At 15th level, you can increase your effective manifester level by three, but you take 5d8 points of damage.

What level does the bolded parts refer to? Your character level, or your actual manifester level? The feat is categorized as a Psionic feat, but otherwise there are no other prerequisites to take the feat, so if I'm reading this right, you could be something like Fighter 7/Psychic Warrior 1 and take the feat at 8th character level as soon as you have your first Psychic Warrior level, and immediately qualify for overchanneling your 1st-level powers by two manifester levels higher (to 3rd). Am I reading this right?

[heavyfuel]

Q 692



What level does the bolded parts refer to? Your character level, or your actual manifester level? The feat is categorized as a Psionic feat, but otherwise there are no other prerequisites to take the feat, so if I'm reading this right, you could be something like Fighter 7/Psychic Warrior 1 and take the feat at 8th character level as soon as you have your first Psychic Warrior level, and immediately qualify for overchanneling your 1st-level powers by two manifester levels higher (to 3rd). Am I reading this right?

A 692

You are.

[Thurbane]

Q 691

I believe there's a monster in some first party book that is basically an animated face in a door. I can't find it, though, either because it's not in the books I'm checking or because I'm blind or something like that.

The creature looks like a pleasant face in a door, and has an accompanying picture. It's described as being a simple guardian, often one that asks riddles, and I think it might have some spellcasting or regenerative abilities. Any ideas about what book it's in?

A 691 - Partial

Any other information you might remember about this creature will help.

Size? Type? Challenge Rating?

You can use the follwing tool to search for monsters and you'll be pointed to the book and page you can find them in. As far as I know, the tool is rather complete: http://monsterfinder.dndrunde.de/

Not that I can say with certainty. I assumed it'd be a construct and somewhere between fine and small in size, but limiting it to that doesn't pull up any good matches. Maybe I should be looking for magical equipment instead of a creature.

A 691

I'm fairly confident you're referring to the Grandfather Plaque. Stats can be found in Dragon Magazine Compendium (p.207). The compendium is considered a 1st party source.

It first appeared in a 1E (or maybe 2E) issue of Dungeon, from memory. In 3.5, it is a CR 4 construct.

[Afgncaap5]

A 691

I'm fairly confident you're referring to the Grandfather Plaque. Stats can be found in Dragon Magazine Compendium (p.207). The compendium is considered a 1st party source.

It first appeared in a 1E (or maybe 2E) issue of Dungeon, from memory. In 3.5, it is a CR 4 construct.

That's it exactly! I actually stumbled upon it during the session this afternoon mid-game since I was also using Glasspane Horrors from that book and accidentally scrolled past the page.

Sadly, by that time I'd already passed the part of the story where I wanted a talking door, so I didn't need it anymore, but it's super nice to know that I wasn't going mad.

[Arkhios]

Q 692

If a subject dies and is reincarnated into a race that has a Level Adjustment (higher than before, if relevant), does the new race's Level Adjustment apply to the character that has been reincarnated?

For example, if a 6th-level Half-orc were to reincarnate as a bugbear, he would lose one level and become a 5th-level character. In order to advance back to 6th level, does bugbear's LA increase the amount of XP the character needs to level up and from that point forward?

[ShurikVch]

Q 693

The Vileblade spell (Dragon #300):

This spell draws out and temporarily crystallizes a sword-shaped portion of the caster's soul that springs out from his hand. The caster wields this blade-like beam as if it were a +4 unholy longsword. All the relevant feats, such as Weapon Focus (longsword), apply. If the caster doesn't have Martial Weapon Proficiency (longsword), he may still wield a vileblade without penalty, instead of adding his Strength bonus to attack and damage rolls made with the vileblade, the caster adds his Charisma bonus.

The question is: if caster will use his Charisma bonus instead of his Strength bonus, then does it mean he will get 1½ times his Charisma bonus to damage rolls for wielding it with two hands?


Q 694

My argument with MaxiDuRaritry (and Goaty14) in this thread.

TL;DR it boils down to:
a) Clawed Arm fiendish graft

If it is not holding anything or being used to perform another action, the grafted creature can direct the clawed arm to make one natural attack per round, using the creature's base attack bonus and adjusted Strength modifier. This attack is in addition to the creature's normal actions in a round.

I'm believing it's indicating the arm may be grafted on without removing any original arms (since fiends are weird and their extremities mustn't make a sense)

And the arm got that extra attack without being called something like "Quick Arm" or "Multitasking Arm".
Is it correct?

b) Without disagreeing on that point, MaxiDuRaritry instead suggested you can use for the same purpose Mighty Arms warforged graft, since it's much cheaper and don't have disadvantages of fiendish grafts.
I disbelieving it!
Eberron done so much to hold grafts down - invented body slots (no more grafted arms for Nagas!), banned grafts from different sources, installed hard limit of 5 total...
And after this all - allow the second set of arms for the measly 1000 gp and 2 hp?!
(Also, Warforged are - unlike fiends - pretty Humanoid-like in their appearance, so - to where, exactly, he will install those arms?)
However, I can't find a piece of RAW which would stop that silly shenanigan.
So, question is: is there some RAW which would prevent it?

[heavyfuel]

Q 692

If a subject dies and is reincarnated into a race that has a Level Adjustment (higher than before, if relevant), does the new race's Level Adjustment apply to the character that has been reincarnated?

For example, if a 6th-level Half-orc were to reincarnate as a bugbear, he would lose one level and become a 5th-level character. In order to advance back to 6th level, does bugbear's LA increase the amount of XP the character needs to level up and from that point forward?

A 692

Any LA the new form possesses is indeed applied to the character, as they are now a member of that race.

[Falontani]

A 692

Any LA the new form possesses is indeed applied to the character, as they are now a member of that race.

Q695

What happens to racial hit dice? (Either before or after reincarnation)

[heavyfuel]

Q695

What happens to racial hit dice? (Either before or after reincarnation)

A 695

The spell makes no reservation about maintaining your ECL or HD. You get all RHD and LA associated with the new race, and your ECL will go up or down accordingly.

The reservations the spell does make are as following:

It retains any class abilities, feats, or skill ranks it formerly possessed. Its class, base attack bonus, base save bonuses, and hit points are unchanged.

So while you'd gain the RHD for purposes of calculating your ECL, you wouldn't gain any of the benefits.

Conversely, if you previously had RHD and the new race does not, you get to keep the things mentioned in the quote and your ECL would go down. If this would put your Skill Ranks/BAB/etc above the allowed for your new race, it's up to each DM on how to handle it, as the rules are silent on the matter AFAIK

[Morof Stonehands]

Q696

If a Master of Many Forms 7 was shaped into a Thoon Infiltrator (MMV) as it died, would it be able to make use of the Eventual Comeback (Ex) ability?

[Goaty14]

Q696

If a Master of Many Forms 7 was shaped into a Thoon Infiltrator (MMV) as it died, would it be able to make use of the Eventual Comeback (Ex) ability?

A 696

Yes, it explicitly being an (Ex) ability. However, you would need to be able to stay in wild shape as such for the whole month (read: a level 730 druid) before resurrection.

Q 697

Would wildshaping into a Thoon Infiltator (MMV), dying, and then having the body stored in quintessence qualify for waiting a month before resurrection? (waiting a month in quintessence, that is)

[Zarvistic]

Q696

If a Master of Many Forms 7 was shaped into a Thoon Infiltrator (MMV) as it died, would it be able to make use of the Eventual Comeback (Ex) ability?

A 696

Yes, it explicitly being an (Ex) ability. However, you would need to be able to stay in wild shape as such for the whole month (read: a level 730 druid) before resurrection.

Q 697

Would wildshaping into a Thoon Infiltator (MMV), dying, and then having the body stored in quintessence qualify for waiting a month before resurrection? (waiting a month in quintessence, that is)

note that you revert to your old form if you die during your shaped form, however you want to apply that in this case.

[inexorabletruth]

A 687

"Bonus Hit Points" are a mechanic from the "Vitality and Wound Points" alternative rule in the Unearthed Arcana and SRD

Or was there a specific rules text that you had in mind?

I'm asking in regards to Faerie Mysteries Initiative feat, for another player. My assumption is that it refers to the variant rule that I knew nothing about until receiving your answer. Thank you for the help!

[Goaty14]

I'm asking in regards to Faerie Mysteries Initiative feat, for another player. My assumption is that it refers to the variant rule that I knew nothing about until receiving your answer. Thank you for the help!

A 687 - Correction

No, it does not reference that variant. You simply use INT instead of CON for bonus HP. You see, every time a player levels up, they gain HP equal to their rolled hit die plus their constitution modifier. The faerie mysteries initiate replaces that for your INT.

To change this we can use the following formula to find the rolled (dice) HP, and then add in the new HP: HP + ((INT - CON) * ECL). (Note: INT and CON are represented by the CON or INT modifier, not score)

Spoiler: Example

Show

Say we have Bob who is a 6th level wizard with a 14 (+2) CON, and an 18 (+4) INT. He currently has a HP of 22 listed on his character sheet (with no feats affecting his HP, such as toughness), and wants to use faerie mysteries initiate.

To calculate Bob's new HP, we use the above formula to "plug in" the variables to get... 22 + ((4 - 2) * 6) -> 22 + (2 * 6) -> 22 + 12 -> 36

As an offhand note, Faerie Mysteries has some drawbacks that are often overlooked, mostly that in order to use it you need to have somebody else with the feat and (in order to get INT to HP, among other things to do) "engage in an exuberant sensual act". Take what you want from that, but it's all RAW.

[KillianHawkeye]

I'm asking in regards to Faerie Mysteries Initiative feat, for another player. My assumption is that it refers to the variant rule that I knew nothing about until receiving your answer. Thank you for the help!

A 687

In that case, it's referring to the "bonus" hp you get per level in addition to your Hit Die roll. This is normally equal to your Constitution modifier (for good or for ill), but a certain usage of that feat lets you and your partner use your Intelligence modifier instead.

And yes, whoever wrote the feat has misused the word bonus, because in D&D the word "bonus" is always a positive value while the Hit Die addition can be either positive or negative.

[King of Nowhere]

Q698: an attack of opportunity is used to do something that would cause an attack of opportunity, does that trigger an aoo?
since it's clearer with an example: if someone moves or cast a spell in melee, and as an attack of opportunity an opponent decides to use a trip attempt (without having improved trip) does the guy who was moving/casting get to make an attack of opportunity?

[heavyfuel]

Q698: an attack of opportunity is used to do something that would cause an attack of opportunity, does that trigger an aoo?
since it's clearer with an example: if someone moves or cast a spell in melee, and as an attack of opportunity an opponent decides to use a trip attempt (without having improved trip) does the guy who was moving/casting get to make an attack of opportunity?

A 698

Yes

[Thurbane]

Q 699

Does the Arcane Preparation feat allow a spontaneous caster to use Corrupt spells?

[heavyfuel]

Q 699

Does the Arcane Preparation feat allow a spontaneous caster to use Corrupt spells?

A 699

The rules for the feat and Corrupt spells are contradictory.

Spellcasters prepare corrupt spells just as they do regular spells, but corrupt spells are available only to spellcasters who prepare spells.Wizards and clerics, for example, can use corrupt magic, but sorcerers and bards cannot.

On one hand, the feat allows for spell preparation, on the other, the feat explicitly exclude the bard and the sorcerer (and since they're just examples, it also excludes all casters whose class descriptions don't say they prepare spells)

But since neither rule comes from a Primary Source, their interaction is up to DM purview.

[Andezzar]

A 699 Contention

CArc and BoVD are the primary sources for the Arcane Preparation and Corrupt Magic respectively.

The examples for characters not able to use corrupt spells are examples, nothing more. They do not confer a class based restriction on corrupt spells. They simply illustrate which classes normally can or cannot cast such spells. They do not bar a character to gain the ability to prepare spells for these classes.

So yes, a sorcerer/bard with arcane preparation could cast corrupt spells.

[ksbsnowowl]

Q 700 A
Does Heal cure the Feeblemind effect that is caused by touching the waters of the River Styx?

The River Styx: This river bubbles with grease, foul flotsam, and putrid remains of battles along its banks. Those who taste or touch its water must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 17) or suffer total amnesia. Treat the victim as if feebleminded (as the feeblemind spell). Even those who make their saves lose all memory of the events of the last 8 hours. Prepared spells remain in memory, although the victim might not realize they’re prepared.

Q 700 B
Does Mind Blank protect you from the Feeblemind effect of the River Styx?

Q 701
What can cure or prevent the insanity (note, not insanity) caused by the winds of Pandemonium?

91–100 . . Shrieking wind causes insanity . . Will DC 22 negates

Does Heal cure it? Does Mind Blank prevent the insanity?

Q 702
If a mage casts Time Stop, can he delay his actions one initiative count, such that in the last round of the spell, the last round of apparent time ends on the mage's "old" initiative count, then normal time resumes, and it is now one initiative count lower, and the mage can get a full turn immediately after the Time Stop ends (but "gave up" one round of actions within the Time Stop)?

Example: Mage goes on initiative count 12. He casts time stop, which uses his action, but gives him 1d4+1 rounds of apparent time (we'll say 4 rounds). His very first turn in the time stop, he delays to initiative count 11, and casts a buff spell. Apparent round 2 he casts a second buff spell, and he does the same on apparent round three. On apparent round four of the time stop, at initiative count 12, normal time resumes (the mage slows down from being sped up, or however you want to describe the specifics of it). Now, back in normal time-flow, the mage sees foes moving once again, and initiative count ticks to 11. Does the mage get a full round of actions in real time, technically in the same round in which his foes just watched him cast time stop a moment earlier?

[heavyfuel]

A 699 Contention

CArc and BoVD are the primary sources for the Arcane Preparation and Corrupt Magic respectively.

The examples for characters not able to use corrupt spells are examples, nothing more. They do not confer a class based restriction on corrupt spells. They simply illustrate which classes normally can or cannot cast such spells. They do not bar a character to gain the ability to prepare spells for these classes.

So yes, a sorcerer/bard with arcane preparation could cast corrupt spells.

A 699 Contention

Both sources are in equal standing. Bards and Sorcerers are explicitly not able to cast corrupt spells according to BoVD.

While I very much agree that Arcane Preparation should let you cast corrupt spells from a RAI point of view, this is not the place for such a discussion.

Q 700 A
Does Heal cure the Feeblemind effect that is caused by touching the waters of the River Styx?


Q 700 B
Does Mind Blank protect you from the Feeblemind effect of the River Styx?

Q 701
What can cure or prevent the insanity (note, not insanity) caused by the winds of Pandemonium?
Does Heal cure it? Does Mind Blank prevent the insanity?

Q 702
If a mage casts Time Stop, can he delay his actions one initiative count, such that in the last round of the spell, the last round of apparent time ends on the mage's "old" initiative count, then normal time resumes, and it is now one initiative count lower, and the mage can get a full turn immediately after the Time Stop ends (but "gave up" one round of actions within the Time Stop)?

Example: Mage goes on initiative count 12. He casts time stop, which uses his action, but gives him 1d4+1 rounds of apparent time (we'll say 4 rounds). His very first turn in the time stop, he delays to initiative count 11, and casts a buff spell. Apparent round 2 he casts a second buff spell, and he does the same on apparent round three. On apparent round four of the time stop, at initiative count 12, normal time resumes (the mage slows down from being sped up, or however you want to describe the specifics of it). Now, back in normal time-flow, the mage sees foes moving once again, and initiative count ticks to 11. Does the mage get a full round of actions in real time, technically in the same round in which his foes just watched him cast time stop a moment earlier?

A 700 A

Yes.

A 700 B

No. Mind Blank protects you against mind-affecting spells. The "feebleminded" condition, even if normally a result of a Feeblemind spell, is not itself a spell. And River Styx itself isn't a spell either, so Mind Blank offers no protection.

A 701 - Partial

A Heal spell doesn't cure it, as it's not part of the spell's description.
Mechanically, being insane (not the targett of an Insanity spell) has no mechanical effect, AFAIK. It therefore needs DM adjudication in regards to what are the effects and how they can be cured.

A 702

Yes. You are - barring the restrictions made by the spell - free to act during the apparent time, and that includes Readying actions and Delaying your initiative.

[RoboEmperor]

Q 700 B
Does Mind Blank protect you from the Feeblemind effect of the River Styx?

A 700 B

Yes. Mind-Blank protects you from all devices, spells, and effects that are mind-affecting. Feeblemind is a mind-affecting effect.