Allies and you

[CapnZapp]

I would be surprised if this has not been asked and answered before, but I couldn't find any search function, so here goes:

Does "ally" include yourself?

Or are you excluded from those powers you use that specify "ally" and not "you or ally"?

(There are several powers where it's difficult to understand why you can use them on your buddy but not on yourself)

 

[Tuft]

"Ally" does not include yourself.

but I couldn't find any search function, so here goes

Search is only available to those that support the site with subscription fees.

(There are several powers where it's difficult to understand why you can use them on your buddy but not on yourself)

4ED is gamist, not simulationist; you cannot derive any cause and effect relationship from the power descriptions. E.g. a power can be described as an encouraging shout. Now, a shout should logically carry across the room, but still the power only applies when the target of the shout and you are within striking distance of the same monster. Why is that? Well, if you care, you have to make up your own explanation - i.e. in fact writing your own flavour text on the spot.

 

[Bagpuss]

I would be surprised if this has not been asked and answered before, but I couldn't find any search function, so here goes:

Does "ally" include yourself?

No. You are not your own ally. Although Lay on Hands can be used on yourself.

(There are several powers where it's difficult to understand why you can use them on your buddy but not on yourself)

Which ones in particular.

 

[CapnZapp]

Thanks for the quick reply! Excellent!

 

[Christian]

Since nobody provided a cite, it's in the PHB, pg. 57, under the Target heading ...

 

[GorTeX]

No. You are not your own ally. Although Lay on Hands can be used on yourself.

Because Lay On Hands targets any creature, not any ally. And you do count as a creature

 

[Bagpuss]

Because Lay On Hands targets any creature, not any ally. And you do count as a creature

Yeah but pre errata it says in the PHB that "an ally regains hit points...." Which means you don't!

 

[ValhallaGH]

Yeah but pre errata it says in the PHB that "an ally regains hit points...." Which means you don't!

Actually it says:

Effect: You spend a healing surge but regain no hit points. Instead, the target regains hit points as if it had spent a healing surge. You must have at least one healing surge remaining to use this power.

The key point is "...the target regains hit points...". Since the paladin is a valid target, the paladin using lay on hands can benefit from it.

The Healing Hands feat specifies allies.

 

[FireLance]

The Healing Hands feat specifies allies.

Interestingly enough, the description of the Healing Hands feat for the dragonborn paladin character in the Basic Game uses "target" instead of "ally". The feat description in DDI still uses "ally", though.