Rules Question: Sustained Powers with (save ends) Effects

[Sir_Darien]

When does a creature start getting saving throws against a Sustained Power effect?

An example:

Vek, a 5th level warlock, uses Curse of the Bloody Fangs (PHB pg 134) on an Orc Chieftain. As of the Chieftain's turn, Vek has not tried to sustain the power, so does the Chieftain get a save versus the power at the end of his turn, even though it has no current effect? Or does the cheiftain actually have to wait until after Vek's next turn where he will take damage from Vek using a minor action to sustain the power?

 

[Yaezakura]

The wording on that spell is definitely a bit weird, but it seems to work like this:

Vek casts Curse of the Bloody Fangs.

At the end of the Ork Chieftain's turn, it gets to make a save against the spell.

If the save succeeds, there is no further effect from the spell.

If the save fails, Vek can spend a Minor action to sustain the power and deal the 1d10 damage to the Chieftain and all adjacent enemies. Vek can also choose not to sustain the effect and thus the effect ends.

The effect continues until the Chieftain makes a successful save or Vek chooses not to sustain the power, whichever comes first.

 

[Caliber]

If you miss with a power that has a Sustain effect, can you sustain it next round? Or does the ability to Sustain require a hit to take affect?

 

[Surgoshan]

That depends on the power, Caliber. Most of them will make it clear.

The Astral Storm power, for example, deals half damage on a miss when sustained. The idea being that you're sustaining the storm rather than sustaining an attack. Other powers will state that if you miss, the power is not sustained.