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Finniss |
Touch spells |
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Some touch spells have a duration and can be used on many targets for the duration, like Touch of Fear or Touch of the Harrid. Could a caster cast multiple
touch spells and have them all work with each touch attack for the duration? I can't find any reason that they couldn't.
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Betma |
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Not by RAW: check out the last sentence in "Touch Spells and Holding the Charge", pg 205.
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Finniss |
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"Holding the Charge" only works for touch spells that affect a single target. Touch spells that affect multiple targets cannot be "held". A
"held charge" ends if you cast another spell but a touch spell with a duration doesn't end as far as I can tell. Also you should be more specific
when you mention pg. 205. Which book and edition? I've gone through the SRD 3.5 looking for anything else but perhaps there is something on page 205 of
that book.
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Betma |
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Sorry, I meant pg 205 in the AE book. Since we are in the AE Rules board, I thought the book reference was understood. My bad.
Anyway, this is the sentence I was referring to: "If the character casts another spell, the touch spell dissipates". Also, since that whole paragraph deals with touch spells as a whole, without specifying which sentences apply only to either single-target or multiple-target touch spells, it stands to reason that all the rules contained in it, that last sentence included, apply equally to all touch spells. Therefore, if you cast any touch spell (such as, for instance, Touch of the Harrid) followed by any other spell, the first spell will dissipate no matter how many touch attacks you had left with it (and yes, I have seen that this particular spell has no set limitation to the no. of times you can make touch attacks with it other than the one imposed by its duration of 1 rnd/lvl, but I don't think that this unusual (for a touch spell) feature makes it any less of a "touch spell", subject to the rules mentioned above). Anyway, if you don't agree with what I just said, then by all means do whatever you feel is best for your game. Never let RAW stand in the way of fun. |
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Finniss |
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Ahh ok. Thanks for clarifying. That is different than the SRD. I guess I should have checked the AE book, but for some reason I was thinking the DMG. I checked
3.0 and 3.5 then figured I should ask which book.
I guess that would mean that even with a touch spell with a duration, you could hold one final charge until you used the hand or cast another spell, but no stacking multiple touch spells at once. It would also mean that touch spells with a duration prevent you from using that hand for anything or casting any other spells if you don't want to lose the touch spell. I've been doing that a little differently. I'm still amazed at how Monte has a way of writing and designing to make things easier and clear than most (if not all) other gaming writers. |
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Sslissth |
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I can't find anything in the rules other than what Betma said or what's in the PHB 3.0, which says exactly the same thing. RAW, it would seem that
indeed, casting another spell even if you have charges left on Touch of the Harrid would cause TotH to dissipate.
I could see an argument for touch spells with multiple durations, but I suspect there is a reason for that rule in the first place. My guess (and it is completely my own opinion, a mere hunch) is that it might be considered overpowering otherwise, rather like a 'free' quickened spell. If you hold the charge then cast another spell, you can hit a mook with both at once. Sure you used up an action the first round, but imagine: your group is fighting the BBEG, and you've taken cover behind a fallen archway. Knowing you can do nothing at the moment until the smoke clears from the last explosion, you spend a few rounds charging up touch attacks with durations. When the smoke clears, there's your chance: you leap out, smack the Big Ugly in the face, discharge five spells, and toss a quickened Lightning Bolt into the mix for good measure. Hitting a mook with six spells at once should be the province of 9th-level spells such as Time Stop. I imagine that's why the rule is there, and similarly why there is no explicit mention of an exception for touch spells with durations. However, I'm not certain there *are* all that many touch spells with durations, so perhaps you would feel this would not be overpowering. I have a tentative feeling it's a bad idea, but not strong enough for me to actually *advise* that it's a bad idea, so as Betma says: never let RAW stand in the way of fun. In the desert there is no mercy...but I am not in the desert now.
Last Edited By: Sslissth
05/25/09 21:51:59.
Edited 1 times.
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Finniss |
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I was going by the SRD.
Touch Spells and Holding the Charge With a duration you can hit multiple targets, but Monte's wording is different and less vague. I agree with not letting rules get in the way of fun but I'm just making a NPC anyway and I like to follow RAW unless I make an intentional change, so I can keep the rules clear. Actually with the way you can hold spells, someone in theory could hold a battle healing, touch an ally as a free action then cast another spell. |
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Finniss |
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Also the DMG says almost the same thing as the SRD
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