Abundant Step Question

[apesamongus]

Why would they mention the monk's caster level if he couldn't take others along. That's the only function caster level serves for that ability. (it's even a supernatural ability, not a spell-like ability, so no caster level is needed for a readied dispell countermagic.)

 

[likuidice]

"Why would they mention the monk's caster level if he couldn't take others along. That's the only function caster level serves for that ability. (it's even a supernatural ability, not a spell-like ability, so no caster level is needed for a readied dispell countermagic.)"

For the distance the monk can travel (400 feet+40 ft per level), which is based on caster level, not character level.

 

[Squire James]

I disagree, Squire James, I don't think it's fairly clear.

It's the "as if using the spell dimension door" part that is vague. Does this mean that the ability functions mechanically like dimension door, meaning he can take along extras, or does it function thematically (cinematically, if you will) like dimension door?

I think it can be argued either way. However, I'd rule that the monk moves alone because it is a supernatural ability (magical but not spell-like) and all the other monk's class abilities affect the monk alone.

I said "fairly clear", not "absolutely clear"... if the latter were true this thread wouldn't exist! My interpretation derived from the fact that about 100% of the monk's other abilities affect only himself (monks can deal out pain to others, but little else). Caster level is needed to determine the maximum distance of the teleport, so I had assumed that was what it was for.

That being said, I doubt that allowing 1-3 other people to come along constitutes a serious breach of game balance. So it's no great crime to interpret the effect the wrong way...

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Reminds me of one time when the party monk (me) saved the party's behinds by abundant stepping out of a nasty place with them in tow. The DM tried to stick it to us by having walls of force sealing our doom, unfortunately for him abundant step/dimension door is unaffected by a wall of force.

 

[atom crash]

Originally Posted by Squire James
I said "fairly clear", not "absolutely clear"

True enough, and after all I agree with your interpretation. I guess I just have a reaction to statements that something is clear, especially since the question was asked because someone was unclear. Sorry about that. I didn't mean to call you out or anything.

There should be a different font for tongue-in-cheek statements.

 

[ARandomGod]

The phrase "as the spell" is used repeatedly in the Monster Manual and, in every instance that I know of, means exactly that: it operates exactly like the spell in question, except for any exceptions noted in the decriptions.

It's pretty clear that the monk doesn't arrive naked, therefore he can bring "stuff" along. Which means he could pick up characters and bring them along, but that's bulky... and open to interpretation. What exactly constitutes "Picking Up", etcetera. Hence the spells description of who else you can bring along.

I say it's obvious he can bring along stuff. And some of that stuff is going to be living.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

it's no great crime to interpret the effect the wrong way...

Lucky for you.

 

[atom crash]

But you might be branded a "house ruler" and have to wear a red armband. You'll also never get the employee-of-the-month parking space.