Are there any clear clarification for burst and blast in 3d?

[Shin Okada]

In case of Burst at least both PHB and Rules Compendium says a burst starts in an origin square and extends in all directions to a specified number of squares from the origin square. So we can assume that the burst spreads to both upward and downward in the same number of squares.

But how about Blast? PHB says a blast 3 is a 3-square-by-3-square area. Are there any rule text or official clarification which says, say, a blast 3 is a 3-square-by-3-square-by-1-square area, or a 3-square-by-3-square-by-3-square area?

 

[DracoSuave]

It's whatever the DM decides.

The rules for 3d movement only cover movement, and the idea of cube-squares actually doesn't quite exist in the game.

 

[WalterKovacs]

I don't remember exactly where it was, I believe it was in one of the podcasts, but it was stated that it applies in all directions. Which would mean that, depending on where you center a burst, a burst 1 would be either a 3x3x3 cube or a 3x3x2 box (since you don't have line of effect into the ground, if the center is on the ground).

 

[Mirtek]

It's whatever the DM decides.

The rules for 3d movement only cover movement, and the idea of cube-squares actually doesn't quite exist in the game.

It does finally since the RC. Squares becomes cubes in 3D

I don't remember exactly where it was, I believe it was in one of the podcasts, but it was stated that it applies in all directions. Which would mean that, depending on where you center a burst, a burst 1 would be either a 3x3x3 cube or a 3x3x2 box (since you don't have line of effect into the ground, if the center is on the ground).

That's correct

 

[ourchair]

I don't remember exactly where it was, I believe it was in one of the podcasts, but it was stated that it applies in all directions. Which would mean that, depending on where you center a burst, a burst 1 would be either a 3x3x3 cube or a 3x3x2 box (since you don't have line of effect into the ground, if the center is on the ground).

I believe you are correct. They mentioned it in the podcasts, and I was listening to that one a few weeks ago, though I can't remember which one it was.

 

[Arlough]

Just a warning, use with caution!
I tried letting my players use bursts and blasts as a 3D effect (because I was attacking them with flying creatures as well as climbing creatures) and it made the wizard's spells jump in power considerably.
Of course, that was before we found the errata for the Bloodmage PP, so it may not be as powerful now.

 

[WalterKovacs]

They have errata'd quite a few effects that increase the size of bursts and blasts, especially restricting dailies from getting the boost from enlarge, etc.

And, it's most important, just like with 2D combat, to avoid bunching up the monsters. With the flying creatures, there are more ways to spread out, although spells fill a large volume.

 

[thewok]

I don't understand cubes in D&D. A square is 5 feet. So, if that is now a cube, how does a Medium creature fit into a single cube? I can understand five feet of fighting space, but it makes no sense to say that a six- to seven-foot character can fit into a 5-foot vertical space.

I just can't wrap my head around that. It makes sense for walls, but not for characters.

 

[Tony Vargas]

It's just for convenience. Sure, your head sticks up out of your 'cube,' in theory, but you could always crouch or duck a little.

In a game in which circles are squares (and the value of pi is therefor 4) it's nothing to get upset about.

 

[Infiniti2000]

I don't understand cubes in D&D. A square is 5 feet. So, if that is now a cube, how does a Medium creature fit into a single cube? I can understand five feet of fighting space, but it makes no sense to say that a six- to seven-foot character can fit into a 5-foot vertical space.

I just can't wrap my head around that. It makes sense for walls, but not for characters.

It should be easy to wrap your head around if you already accepted that a medium-size creature wielding a large weapon (e.g. polearm, lance, etc.) still fits within the square. Otherwise, do you rule that such a creature always holds his weapon straight up and never has the pointy end towards the other man? How could you possibly have gotten around this conundrum and failed to understand the 5ft cube?