telekinesis, Violent Thrust, use same object multiple times?

[Valicore]

Question that came up today in gaming session. With the use of a telekinesis spell could you use the same object (Spear) multiple times. Effectively woodpecker-ing the enemy with it for all of the attacks you would normally have. At 15th lvl it would be 15 attack rolls, for 1d8 damage each. DR applies, and its the reason for using a spear (cold iron) as the demon's DR would have made doing the same with rocks useless. Now given the spells area from which you can effect objects, they all just have to be within 10 feet of each other, you could have someone in a small room be attacked from every angle by say knifes in a shop laying on tables and shelves. Also to be a target you just have to be within 10' per lvl of the object launched. So you could hit 15 targets up to 150' away (15th lvl caster) from say a barrel of swords in a garrison. Given targets hit-able in a 150' sphere, does the woodpecker attack seem to be out of the scope of the spells power? Either having the object swipe back and forth, or it getting thrust multiple times. Or say like a nail being hit by a hammer 15 times. A 5th lvl spell seems capable of achieving this feat, and telekinesis doesn't say yes you can or no you cant on it specifically. It sounded awesome at the time and I allowed it cause the player had a good argument. I would hate to have to say no you cant use it again, or make up a completely new spell just for this effect that is kinda in the grey area. Opinions?

 

[Greenfield]

Let's look at the spell, as written.

Telekinesis
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Target or Targets: See text
Duration: Concentration (up to 1
round/ level) or instantaneous;
see text
Saving Throw: Will negates (object) or
None; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes (object); see text
You move objects or creatures by concentrating on them. Depending on the version selected, the spell can provide a gentle, sustained force, perform a variety of combat maneuvers, or exert a single short, violent thrust.

Sustained Force: A sustained force moves an object weighing no more than 25 pounds per caster level (maximum 375 pounds at 15th level) up to 20 feet per round. A creature can negate the effect on an object it possesses with a successful Will save or with spell resistance. This version of the spell can last 1 round per caster level, but it ends if you cease concentration. The weight can be moved vertically, horizontally, or in both directions. An object cannot be moved beyond your range. The spell ends if the object is forced beyond the range. If you cease concentration for any reason, the object falls or stops.
An object can be telekinetically manipulated as if with one hand. For example, a lever or rope can be pulled, a key can be turned, an object rotated, and so on, if the force required is within the weight limitation. You might even be able to untie simple knots, though delicate activities such as these require Intelligence checks against a DC set by the DM.

Combat Maneuver: Alternatively, once per round, you can use telekinesis to perform a bull rush, disarm, grapple (including pin), or trip. Resolve these attempts as normal, except that they don’t provoke attacks of opportunity, you use your caster level in place of your base attack bonus (for disarm and grapple), you use your Intelligence modifier (if a wizard) or Charisma modifier (if a sorcerer) in place of your Strength or Dexterity modifier, and a failed attempt doesn’t allow a reactive attempt by the target (such as for disarm or trip). No save is allowed against these attempts, but spell resistance applies normally.
This version of the spell can last 1 round per caster level, but it ends if you cease concentration.

Violent Thrust: Alternatively, the spell energy can be spent in a single round. You can hurl one object or creature per caster level (maximum 15) that are within range and all within 10 feet of each other toward any target within 10 feet per level of all the objects. You can hurl up to a total weight of 25 pounds per caster level (maximum 375 pounds at 15th level).
You must succeed on attack rolls (one per creature or object thrown) to hit the target with the items, using your base attack bonus + your Intelligence modifier (if a wizard) or Charisma modifier (if a sorcerer). Weapons cause standard damage (with no Strength bonus; note that arrows or bolts deal damage as daggers of their size when used in this manner). Other objects cause damage ranging from 1 point per 25 pounds (for less dangerous objects such as a barrel) to 1d6 points of damage per 25 pounds (for hard, dense objects such as a boulder).
Creatures who fall within the weight capacity of the spell can be hurled, but they are allowed Will saves (and spell resistance) to negate the effect, as are those whose held possessions are targeted by the spell. If a telekinesed creature is hurled against a solid surface, it takes damage as if it had fallen 10 feet (1d6 points).

As written, the "Violent Trust" option says a "Single violent thrust", so no, you don't get to woodpecker someone with a single weapon. You hurl that spear, rather than holding it.

Can you pepper someone with objects hitting from all directions? There doesn't seem to be anything saying otherwise, other than that the objects you're using have to start out within 10 feet of one another. You don't get to pick them up, maneuver them around the opponent and then attack though. You pick one version of the spell and that's the use you get. The attacking objects are treated as hurled, not wielded.

The wording of the "Sustained Force" option implies a single object, not an array of weapons. It lasts for one round per caster level, but is designed for manipulating things. I suppose you could wield a one-handed weapon this way. DM's decision.

The "Violent Trust" option is for attacks, and lasts only a single round. Here's where all the knives and swords on the rack fly at someone. The DM may allow a few colorful flourishes, like sending then spinning around the room or the opponent before striking, but untimately they're hurled weapons.

Reading this, though, you could use this to attack a foe in an Anti-Magic Field, since you're hurling them from where you pick them up, and your spell doesn't need to reach inside that field. It just needs to be able to work where the weapons are.

 

[delericho]

Question that came up today in gaming session. With the use of a telekinesis spell could you use the same object (Spear) multiple times. Effectively woodpecker-ing the enemy with it for all of the attacks you would normally have. At 15th lvl it would be 15 attack rolls, for 1d8 damage each.

Nope. Greenfield quoted the relevant bit from the SRD, which makes it clear - you make one attack roll per item. So if you have one spear, you get one attack.

 

[Frostbiter01]

Does the use of the telekinesis differ when the eye ray of the Beholder fires? Can it say target 13 items (13th level caster) or is it one target?

 

[Greenfield]

I believe it says that it works like the spell, so the smart Beholder will keep a collection of suitable heavy and pointed objects around to shotgun at opponents.

Those of us in the adventuring business call that "Loot".