3
votes
2answers
84 views

How does sneak attack work for ranged rogues after surprise round?

Does he become useless? Do you have to place a houserule? Is it spending actions on getting invisible or out of sight again the only way to get sneak attack again? It seems to me a ranged rogue ...
8
votes
3answers
241 views

Was psionic combat removed from Pathfinder?

I have the 3.5 edition of the Psionic Handbook that covers psionic combat. But reading through the Pathfinder I have found nothing so far. If changing to Pathfinder, will I no longer need psionic ...
2
votes
2answers
164 views

Healing Kits in combat

2 players are in combat, with no healing abilities except for 1 player has the Healing skill and also has a Healing Kit +1. Can he use that kit in combat to heal his friend that is low on health or ...
10
votes
2answers
163 views

Multi Class Leveling

I am new to D&D, currently using 3.5 & Pathfinder (Pathfinder book arrives next week, ordered it). I am extremely confused with the Multiclass leveling system. When I opt to take a new class ...
11
votes
2answers
196 views

Magic Dead Zones and rules clarifications

I would like clarification on some points, if possible with rule sources, regarding Magic Dead Zones (and, maybe, Anti-Magic Fields): Do potions work at all? In an MDZ, there is no conduit for ...
15
votes
6answers
253 views

How can I mechanistically empower a prophecy or fortune without railroading the plot?

I am interested in the idea of incorporating fate (via prophecy or fortunes told) in my campaign. I would like to come up with a set of rules/mechanics to make a prophecy or fortune teller's ...
4
votes
2answers
165 views

Returning enchantment on a creature

I have a feat that allows me to pick up and throw another creature as if it were a thrown weapon. The greater belt of mighty hurling item from Pathfinder, among other things, allows me to apply ...
29
votes
4answers
1k views

Can a lich redeem itself?

According to the rules, The process of becoming a lich is unspeakably evil and can be undertaken only by a willing character. What if a lich, having done this, slowly over time realizes its ...
6
votes
2answers
181 views

What are the feats and class features that turn will and fort saves into reflex saves?

What are the feats and class features that turn will and fort saves into reflex saves? I vaguely remember reading something like this in a D&D 3.5 or PF book.
6
votes
3answers
320 views

Does a natural 20 initiative roll have any special rules?

I rolled a 20 for initiative in a pickup game today and I realized that I didn't know if that was supposed to be treated specially, like some other rolls treat a natural 20. Does rolling a natural 20 ...
0
votes
1answer
219 views

Running a game with intentionally “over-powered” PCs

I've been playing for a few years now (I know I'm green) but I've been planning on running a game with intentionally "Over-Powered" PCs. This is the style of play I would like to try: My idea is to ...
6
votes
2answers
366 views

How to better implement Spiked Chain build from OOTS 216?

I was wondering if the build posted on Order of the Stick 216 is still valid in pathfinder, and how to better implement in terms of: Better races, preferably, being a common (medium sized) race, ...
4
votes
3answers
254 views

Is it really possible to represent a 'genius' character completely accurately?

In this thread, we had several examples of many ways to role-play a character that's smarter than its player. Many suggested letting the DM give information to the player that the character could ...
8
votes
2answers
474 views

Would magic 'weapons' make the monk more balanced?

The monk in D&D 3.5 (and, to a lesser extent, in Pathfinder) is generally considered underpowered. Would adding magic 'weapons' that could add enhancement bonuses and magic weapon effects to a ...
6
votes
3answers
183 views

Anything I should keep in mind before I start mixing and matching between D&D 3.5e and Pathfinder?

Anything I should keep in mind before I start mixing and matching between D&D 3.5e and Pathfinder? Off the top of my head, the biggest difference is feats every 2/3 levels. Would it affect ...
12
votes
4answers
581 views

Reasons to multiclass in 3.5

I have been playing AD&D (and some other systems) for a long time, but I am new to 3.5/Pathfinder. I have just started looking at the optimization material, and it seems that multiclassing with ...
9
votes
11answers
789 views

How to mitigate glass cannon syndrome in Pathfinder?

This is the more gamey part of my other question, What to do when your character is just too good? In D&D 3.5e and Pathfinder, damage output grows very, very quickly. Much more quickly than hit ...
6
votes
2answers
234 views

Can cantrips be improved?

I have a player interested in ways to improve 0 level attack spells. Mainly, they're looking to not have to carry around a crossbow for attacks when they don't want to cast a spell, and the 1d3 ...
7
votes
3answers
268 views

Finger of death and Raise death/Resurrect/Reincarnate

If someone dies because of a Finger of death, can he be brought back with one of Raise death/Resurrect/Reincarnate? In all spells it is said that "A creature that has been turned into an undead ...
8
votes
2answers
126 views

Devourer and negative levels

How many negative levels does a creature gain when trapped by a devourer? Does he gain the neg. levels immediately or only when the devourer drains the essence point from the pool (for casting)?
11
votes
3answers
543 views

How does time work in 3.5/Pathfinder?

I am wondering about preparing spells per day. How long is a day? One session? Also some spells last 15 minutes. How long is that during a combat encounter?
6
votes
4answers
229 views

Can I use Run in an area where there is no straight path available?

The Combat rules have to say this about Running: "When you run, you can move up to four times your speed in a straight line ...". Now my question is: what if I'm in a dungeon, or more generally in a ...
5
votes
5answers
347 views

Impact of allowing characters to change their main casting stat

I have never really understood the rationale of "wizards use Int, clerics use Wis and sorcerers use Cha". So for my new campaign, I am considering getting rid of that rule, and allowing characters to ...
6
votes
3answers
234 views

The effects of saving throws on mind reading

A number of creatures in D&D systems (specific editions may not be necessary here, but let's use 3/3.5/3.75 for simplicity) have the ability to use spell or spell-like effects such as Detect ...
3
votes
3answers
320 views

Better Weapon Focus

Last time a played DnD it was 3.0, I remember, the Weapon Focus feat, thinking ti is kind of dull, but sometimes prerequisite for more advanced feats. So I would changed it in a way like: ...
11
votes
5answers
401 views

How do I encourage player-GM storytelling collaboration without “breaking” my game?

I've DM/GM'd for several gaming groups, young and old, and have found that one of the things that separates my younger players from older players is their eagerness to elaborate/collaborate in the ...
1
vote
2answers
251 views

What are some of the denizens of the Shadow Plane? [closed]

Important Note While I do understand that the DM is ostensibly God in his game. My GM does generally respect most things written in book. Explanation I have a character who is connected with the ...
7
votes
7answers
243 views

Working “add-on” powers system for DnD 3.x?

I'm deriving this question from my recent question about Skyrim's Shouts for DnD3.x. Is there an official or unofficial "add-on" system for DnD3.X (or Pathfinder) that introduces optional, extra ...
11
votes
4answers
378 views

Is there a working adaptation of Skyrim's Dragon Shouts to DnD3.x?

I wonder if there's a well designed and tested, working - and, of course, unofficial (?) - adaptation of Skyrim's Dragon Shouts (Thu'um) to DnD 3.x (or possibly Pathfinder)? If not, how would you ...
17
votes
9answers
664 views

Any GM headaches or canon reasons not to let resurrected PCs fight their reanimated corpses?

Given that, a character can be dissolved in acid and resurrected A body isn't necessary for resurrection. Also, given that, a dark cleric/necromancer can raise a dead body to fight It seems ...
3
votes
1answer
146 views

Are there rules for or against unusual or alternate weapon types?

In DnD 3.5 and Pathfinder, are there any provisions for characters wielding weapon types not on the given lists, like meat cleavers or swordcanes? Are those not allowed, do you use them as equivalent ...
6
votes
2answers
242 views

How would a monk go about throwing a charging enemy?

Everyone's seen that scene in king-fu movies, right? Someone charges the good-guy, and he flips him tail over teakettle. Sometimes the baddy in question gets tossed a foot or two, sometimes he gets ...
4
votes
1answer
278 views

What happens if a commoner takes a prestige class?

I'm currently in a 3.5/pathfinder campaign. (Mostly 3.5, but since it's steampunk we're borrowing liberally from pathfinder as we find the need.) We started as commoners, the idea being that we would ...
9
votes
1answer
384 views

How much damage does a thrown tower shield deal?

Out of curiousity, I've been trying to create a sort of "Captain America" type character using the Tower Shield Specialist and the Throw Anything feat. Unfortunately, I've been having a lot of trouble ...
18
votes
2answers
416 views

Is there any information on how exactly verbal spell components must be phrased?

In a discussion about how to covertly hide a spell, it was brought up that you might be able to disguise a spell with a verbal component by sneaking the spell component words into a normal ...
15
votes
5answers
666 views

Covertly casting a spell

This question about Charm Person got me musing about a problem with the spell. Obviously, you can't cast Charm Person in the middle of a forum to sway an interlocutor to your side without the other 20 ...
5
votes
2answers
296 views

In which module did Goblins terrorize villagers with a Giant Mechanical Turtle?

A while ago I stumbled upon a low-level adventure in which a band of goblins has a giant mechanical turtle and terrorizes/scares the locals with it. I think it must have been a D&D/Pathfinder 3.X ...
25
votes
5answers
2k views

What makes grease a good spell?

I often see people list grease as good go-to 1st level spell. Why is this? The spell description lists 3 of its uses: forcing saves and slows movement of enemies, disarming enemies, and preventing ...
6
votes
3answers
191 views

When should I separate encounters?

I had a session this week involving a fairly large battle at sea. The encounter involved a couple of boarders while the enemy ship was still at quite a distance, and the larger group still on the ...
3
votes
4answers
259 views

Why the huge difference between divine and arcane compulsion effects?

In designing a new compulsion spell am not sure whether to follow the cleric tree or the bard/wizard/sorceror tree in regard to spell levels and other rules/effects. On the cleric side, we have ...
11
votes
2answers
337 views

Can you take 10 when creating an item?

You can take 10 when you make a skill roll "When your character is not in immediate danger or distracted". Would this include when a character is making a magical item?
8
votes
2answers
163 views

In 3.5/Pathfinder, what is the rough CR adjustment for Damage Reduction?

I have seen several breakdown and rough rules for adjusting a monster's CR according to various special abilities and qualities. The Pathfinder Core book and Bestiary has rules about things like high ...
14
votes
2answers
289 views

Does your initiative change if your dex changes?

After combat has started will changes to your DEX stat (sufficent to change your dex bonus) change your initiative score? Example: Wizard Bob sees a goblin approaching and initiative is rolled; the ...
3
votes
1answer
134 views

Can a spellcraft check reveal the target of a spell?

You can use spellcraft to identify a spell as it is being cast. But does this check let you know the target of the spell? As an example of when this could matter quite a lot, Dominate allows you to ...
7
votes
1answer
223 views

Silence as a ready action

If a caster readies an action to cast the spell silence next to an enemy wizard who begins casting a spell with a verbal component, what happens? The silence interrupts the casting attempt, causing ...
7
votes
3answers
164 views

Ranged attacks against creatures trapped inside an air elemental's whirlwind

When an air elemental goes whirlwind and traps someone inside it, how do ranged attacks targeted at the trapped creature work? Can I target the creature? Does it have total concealment, as the air ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views

While swimming during combat, do “double moves” allow/require 2 swim checks?

A PC is in water during combat and requires a swim check to move. Say, a PC chooses to use the move action first, performs their swim check and fail, sinking 5 feet, are they then allow to use their ...
4
votes
1answer
103 views

Necromantic Life Sight vs. Mirror Image

Necromancers and several undead creatures have the Life Sight ability. It's described as BlindSight" except for "life". So how does this interact with an illusion spell like Mirror Image? Clearly ...
4
votes
1answer
212 views

Does combat while swimming affect anything other than movement?

Does combat while swimming affect anything other than movement speed? I assume that melee/ranged combat is affected if a PC is underwater after failing a swim check or choosing to dive? Do these ...
14
votes
4answers
567 views

Why do Spell-Like Abilities provoke attacks of opportunity?

Both in D&D 3.5 and Pathfinder, Spell-Like Abilities are described as having "no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components." In both systems, however, activating them as a standard action ...

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