Discrete magical constructions used to accomplish an effect.
33
votes
4answers
895 views
How to deal with lack of downtime as a wizard?
As we all know the wizard is a physically weak class that relies on his spells to perform in his adventures. Other than the spells gained at each level-up however he needs to spend 32 hours learning ...
20
votes
3answers
364 views
Passage of Time within a Rope Trick spell
My question is rather simple and has to do with the extra-dimensional space* created by a Rope Trick spell.
*Note: It is not clear to me whether this kind of space is a Demiplane or not, but should ...
19
votes
6answers
694 views
How can I pass through a Blade Barrier?
Can I safely get through a "Blade Barrier" by crawling through with an overturned bathtub over me or does the blade barrier form inside it as well?
17
votes
9answers
663 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 ...
17
votes
4answers
423 views
How does Charm Person affect a PC?
It's quite clear how the DM should play any NPCs that get Charmed by a PC -- the NPC should behave as the caster's best friend, and do things that he'd do for his best friend.
But how do you play ...
17
votes
5answers
609 views
Can magic items that deal fire damage function underwater?
From the DMG p93:
Spells or spell-like effects with the fire descriptor
are ineffective underwater unless the caster makes a
Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level). If the check succeeds, the
...
15
votes
3answers
419 views
Can I wish for an extra pair of arms (without breaking Wish)?
Ok, I know this is a big spell and I'm not trying to break anything but I've always wondered if I could do this. Remember this is a 9th level spell so by the time this could be cast I don't think it ...
15
votes
11answers
558 views
How can/should I convince my players to use magic other than Rotes?
The last time I ran a game with Mages in it, they were obsessed with only using rotes, leafing through the book to see how they could combine their magic to cast Rotes. They never once even considered ...
15
votes
2answers
1k views
Lower spells in higher spell slots
Can you place a lower level spell in a higher spell slot? In other words, can you place magic missile in a 4th level slot if you want to, without a metamagic feat?
This came up in our Pathfinder game ...
14
votes
6answers
4k views
Any games with a Magicka-like (experimental/combination-based) magic system?
I really like the exploratory/combining elements of the magic system in the computer game Magicka. Can anyone recommend a tabletop game with a similar system?
The system is based on obtaining ...
14
votes
2answers
224 views
Does the target of a spell know who is casting it?
Lets say a wizard casts a compulsion spell on someone. Is that person aware that a spell was cast on him? Is he aware of where the spell came from?
13
votes
13answers
1k views
Good Single Word Instruction for “Command” Spell
The first level Cleric spell "Command" allows a single word verb command to be issued which will be obeyed by the target.
What commands would you recommend / have you had success with? It feels like ...
13
votes
6answers
685 views
How do you interpret the charm spell?
In a campaign I've been playing in, we've been having a real tough time deciding how powerful to make the first level Charm Person spell for Magic Users. Some background, we are playing Swords & ...
13
votes
2answers
648 views
Do fire spells cast underwater still affect creatures vulnerable to fire?
Related Question: Can magic items that deal fire damage function underwater?
As mentioned in the above question:
From the DMG p93:
Spells or spell-like effects with the
fire descriptor are ...
13
votes
2answers
366 views
Does expeditious retreat affect warlock fly speed
Expeditious Retreat says
This spell increases your base land speed by 30 feet. (This adjustment is treated as an enhancement bonus.) There is no effect on other modes of movement, such as burrow, ...
12
votes
7answers
934 views
“Ray of Frost” Spell + Water = Lock Broken?
I played only D&D 3.0 and 3.5 editions, but if similar, low-level spells exist in D&D 4.0 and Pathfidnder, please comment, I will probably make a transition to one of them anyway.
Is it ...
12
votes
2answers
406 views
When a Stinking Cloud is moved onto a creature, does the creature take damage immediately?
In a recent session of D&D 4e, a Stinking Cloud was moved onto a creature who was outside of it.
Stinking Cloud Effect:
...Creatures that enter the zone or
start their turns there take ...
12
votes
1answer
287 views
A spell stacking question
I've a couple of questions regarding stacking multiple area effect spells:
Does Celestial Brilliance spell (BoED p94) stack with itself? That is, if two instances of this spell are cast and an evil ...
12
votes
1answer
414 views
What's the history of the Darkness spell?
In D&D 3.0, the darkness spell was a sphere of blackness, impenetrable even to darkvision, which was terrifyingly powerful (except against demons and devils).
In D&D 3.5, it's a zone of 20% ...
12
votes
2answers
253 views
What does Detect [Alignment] show for a possessed creature?
What does Detect [Alignment] reveal about a creature that is possessed? Does it reveal the presence of the base creature's alignment, the possessing creature's alignment, or both?
12
votes
3answers
392 views
Limits and rules for Silent/Minor/Major Image spells
What are the limits of Image spells?
An example in the 'All about Illusions' articles on wizards.com (1, 2, 3, 4) is an illusionary guard: Can I make the guard (keeping concentration) dissolve into ...
11
votes
4answers
630 views
About Spell Scrolls' mechanic, how do they work?
This question is bothering me, my dm couldn't answer it.
What is the difference between a spell scroll and a page of spellbook? One goes "puff" after use while others stays permanently. Also I'm ...
11
votes
4answers
542 views
Shadowrun: Do Lightning Bolt/Ball Lightning spells do physical or stun damage?
The Setup
The Lightning Bolt and Ball Lightning spells both have their damage type listed as P for Physical (as opposed to S for Stun, such as Knockout). However, the rules also state (emphasis ...
11
votes
1answer
131 views
In Pathfinder bloody skeletons are permanently destroyed in an area of a Bless?
The skeleton variant bloody skeleton has the special quality Deathless:
Deathless (Su): A bloody skeleton is destroyed when reduced to 0 hit
points, but it returns to unlife 1 hour later at 1 ...
11
votes
3answers
225 views
Does blade barrier have to be anchored to the ground?
If I cast blade barrier, does it have to be anchored to the ground? Or can I have it float anywhere I want that it could occupy, such as cast it above me as a sort of roof of blades?
11
votes
3answers
291 views
How worldly is a polymorphic elf?
In the 3.5e campaign I'm running, a very real concern has arisen that the player characters might actually fail to save the world from the horrific fate that the villian has planned for it. If this ...
10
votes
3answers
221 views
May magic missile be energy substituted
Does energy substitution cover force damage type?
I'd like to fire flaming missile to exploit monster weaknesses and searching for a way to add fire description to the spell or replace original with ...
10
votes
1answer
331 views
Can a Specialist Wizard multiclass to cast spells from his prohibited schools?
I've had DMs rule both ways on this..I haven't seen any official RAWs on this so I was hoping someone here could point me in the right direction?
If a Wizard specializes (giving him 1-2 prohibited ...
10
votes
3answers
358 views
Does the spell Nondetection offer protection against all divination spells?
Does the spell Nondetection (and therefore the Unseen Seer ability Guarded Mind) protect the target from all divination spells or just the ones given as examples in the PHB (see quote)?
The ...
10
votes
2answers
520 views
Question regarding spellcraft: Learn a spell
Browsing the PHB, I noticed the 3rd entry of the spellcraft skill's usages:
15 + spell level: Learn a spell from a spellbook or scroll (wizard
only). No retry for that spell until you gain at ...
10
votes
2answers
590 views
How does Magic Circle against Evil work?
Magic Circle against Evild20SRD has two primary effects:
Affecting all creatures within 10-ft. of its target with a Protection from Evild20SRD effect.
Drawing a 10-ft.-radius circle centered on its ...
9
votes
2answers
602 views
Creatively targeting summoning spells
Me and my party have a plan in our upcoming session, that will need some clarifications on how summoning spells can be used.
Its all about creative targeting with the Summon Monster I spell, let me ...
9
votes
2answers
132 views
Is the blinding effect of Glitterdust effective on mindless undead?
We have just started a new pure Pathfinder campaign and I'm playing a Witch, one of only two arcane casters in the party (the other is a knowledge-based Bard). It looks like the campaign might involve ...
9
votes
2answers
687 views
Can Prestidigitation color people's skin?
The Prestidigitation spell in D&D 3.5 specifically says that it is possible to use it to color items (see SRD). Given the wording, "items" can be interpreted either as "inanimate object" or more ...
9
votes
2answers
351 views
Does shutting your eyes help when mirror images are in different squares?
The spell mirror image creates figments of the caster.
These figments
separate from you and remain in a cluster,
each within 5 feet of at least one other figment
or you. You can move into ...
9
votes
2answers
573 views
How would healing magic work in Dresden Files?
So, I have a player in a Dresden Files game I'm setting up who loves playing healing and support characters. Good aligned clerics in D&D, medicine excellencies in Exalted, you get the picture. ...
8
votes
4answers
248 views
Pros and Cons of giving my party a spell based on the Portal Gun from the Portal video game series?
I'm considering giving my party's mage a Portal Spell as a way to spice up our campaign. The catch is they can only use it twice per day, the target surface has to be flat, clearly visible by the ...
8
votes
5answers
321 views
How far will Eagle Eye let me see on the open ocean?
How far will Eagle Eye let me see on the open ocean?
Eagle eye creates a magical sensor directly above you. The sensor can appear anywhere above you, to a maximum height equal to the spell's ...
8
votes
5answers
207 views
Do abilities like Extra Spell and the Master Specialist Expanded Spellbook allow you to take spells outside of your class list?
Several abilities including feat Extra Spell and the Master Specialist class feature Expanded Spellbook allow spellcasters to learn an additional spell. However, these abiities do not specify that ...
8
votes
1answer
228 views
Paragon tier wizards 'rocket jumping'?
I've seen/heard quite a lot about Wizards in the Paragon tier effectively 'Rocket Jumping' with use of the Thunderwave power and the Arcane Reach feat. How would this work? Both mechanically and ...
8
votes
3answers
251 views
Is there a Potion of Magic Circle against Evil?
I know that you can brew a potion for any 3rd-level or lower spell that targets one or more creatures : If you store a personal spell in a wand, can you then target other creatures with that spell?.
...
8
votes
1answer
321 views
How do touch spells work in Pathfinder?
You would think touch spells would be fairly straightforward: You cast a spell, you touch someone or several someones, and effects occur. Unfortunately, the touch spell rules contain the following ...
8
votes
3answers
370 views
Can a polymorphed magic user still cast spells if the new form has limbs, mouth, and fingers?
The Wizard power Foe to Frog (Heroes of the Fey Wild) allows the wizard to change the target into a tiny beast.
My question is: can the polymorphed target retain its spell casting ability if it has ...
8
votes
1answer
121 views
Question about ability score bonus spells
The Player's Handbook states that you can get "bonus spells" for certain ability scores, but does that mean more spell slots/spells per day, more spells known, or both?
8
votes
2answers
163 views
How does a Ring of Counterspells work against an area-of-effect (AOE) spell?
A person is wearing a Ring of Counterspells which is storing a Fireball spell. When this person is in the AOE of a fireball is the entire fireball countered? Do they negate it just for their square? ...
8
votes
1answer
391 views
Creating and researching new spells in Shadowrun
This is a two part related question:
The combat spells in Shadowrun cover fire, electric and acid elemental attacks, but not cold elemental attacks. Considering that the direct-attack spells all ...
8
votes
2answers
131 views
Does temporal stasis freeze spell effects?
My question boils down to what qualifies as a condition in the spell temporal stasis, as emphasized below.
You place the subject into a state of suspended animation. For the creature, time ceases ...
8
votes
1answer
136 views
Does a Zone disappear when the player goes unconscious?
Does a Zone cast by a player disappear when the player goes unconscious/dying?, or only if they actually die?
8
votes
1answer
277 views
Are Transmutation spells lost after dismissing or casting Alter Self
The description of transmutation spells is
Transmutation spells change the properties of some creature, thing,
or condition.
So if a transmutation spell was cast after an alter self, and then ...
8
votes
3answers
247 views
AD&D 1st Edition, Unearthed Arcana, Cooperative spell casting
My question refers to the 8th Level MU spell Binding found in Unearthed Arcana. In it, it describes the ability of other mages to enhance the power, essentially, of the primary spell caster (up to six ...
