Recent content by Halcyon

As one of the players in this game, I was probably the most vocal in arguing against this ruling. My reasoning was as follows: 1) Even if the bag would produce the wizard instead of the statue despite the giant character not knowing that there was a change, he can feel items before they are...

So you argue that because it is not explicitly stated a magical (i.e. reality-violating) creature cannot possibly have unenumerated minor magical properties that might only be implied by the rules? You argue reality, I argue it's magic so reality doesn't concern me. It is not a cop out, just a...

The key difference is that for most things that have "2 claws" written somewhere (e.g. a lion), there is only a single claw attack listed for 'Attack:' (e.g. 'Attack: Claw +5 etc). The word 'claws' is only found in the 'Full Attack:' entry. This makes it pretty clear that if there is supposed...

Reading through the thread your argument seems to consist of two points. 1. That having 10 heads attack something at the same time is not realistic. 2. That the hydra is too hard for its' CR. With regard to the first point, I hardly think it is a cop out to dispute your assertion that reality...

There isn't a 'reality' rule. However, there are lots of rules for magic. Magic doesn't exist in reality either, but it is really useful for explaining lots of phenomena in fantasy games that would not be possible in reailty. Notice that hydras are magical beasts.... Also, there are always...

I believe option one follows the RAW most closely. If you want to modify the rules based on the 'reality' of what a fictional monster could do, well....GM fiat always rules the day.

I've never been convinced that there is any vaild interpretation other than option 1.

Indeed. Their 20th level ability is nice, if a bit situational.

How do you know its hostile if you don't know what is being cast? The readied action for an orc attacking is not at all the same since the orcs attack doesn't have a resolution time of 'instantaneous.'

The key you are missing here Stalker is that counterspelling, regardless of which game you are in, is a readied action. Readied actions always require some trigger condition be specified which will cause the readied action to occur. Reasonable trigger conditions are pretty much up to GM's...

There are no significant diferences.

I definitely agree with you Infiniti2000 that it should only be possible to counterspell a spell. However Im not sure that the SRD section on counterspelling makes this entirely clear. Ive also searched through Skip Williams' columns and the FAQ, but I can't find anywhere it is explicitly stated...

Assume for the purposes of this question that the counterspelling character has never seen the item used before. Though I agree, that might make a difference.

Is it possible to ready an action to counterspell and then use it when a character uses a magic item instead of casting a spell, specifically using dispel magic? I haven't been able to find anything that would address this clearly. I suppose that I might be able to see this as being possible if...

I've recently been making a wild mage, and hence looking for items with random effects for him to have fun with. The only three Ive managed to find so far (that aren't artifacts or epic items) are the bag of tricks, rod of wonder and the fist of emirikol. Any suggestions for other neat items...