Arcane Archer's Imbue Arrow

[zarberg]

The 3.5 DMG's Arcane Archer says the following about their 2nd level ability:

"Imbue Arrow (Sp): At 2nd level, an arcane archer gains the ability to place an area spell upon an arrow. When the arrow is fired, the spell’s area is centered on where the arrow lands, even if the spell could normally be centered only on the caster. This ability allows the archer to use the bow’s range rather than the spell’s range. It takes a standard action to cast the spell and fire the arrow. The arrow must be fired in the round the spell is cast, or the spell is wasted.:

I have a few questions about this. First, does this apply to any spell that has an area descriptor? I would like clarification on this because while some spells list a clear area (I.E. 20 foot radius), others list an area of a cone (I.E. color spray or cone of cold). If you check the PHB on these spells, they both clearly have an area descriptor. It would be usefull to fire cones of cold, since it would mean you don't have to jump into melee combat.

Second, could you imbue an area with a spell and then target a person such that if the arrow hit, that person would be the center of the spell. I have strange dreams of making an arcane archer who fires anti-magic fields at casters to basically completely screw them over.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Camarath]

First, does this apply to any spell that has an <i>area</i> descriptor?

I think any spell with an area descriptor counts as an area spell and thus could be used with this ability.

Second, could you imbue an area with a spell and then target a person such that if the arrow hit, that person would be the center of the spell. I have strange dreams of making an arcane archer who fires anti-magic fields at casters to basically completely screw them over.

I assume you mean that the effect would be centered on the person such that if the person moved the effect would move with the person. I think that depends on how you read "where the arrow lands" if this means a point in space then one could not make the effect center on a creature but if this means the object (such as a person or a patch of ground) on to which the arrow falls then you could do as you are suggesting.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

For cones, I think there was a debate, because the Arcane Archer ability talks about the range of the arrow becoming the range of the spell, which would mean you could have a 1000'-long cone of cold (if you shoot an arrow that far) which amounts to a ridiculous area covered. I think they meant for the cone to start off where the arrow lands / hits.

Other than that, yes, you can use your Imbue Arrow ability to shoot Fireballs or Silences, and even Antimagic fields at people.

AR

 

[Camarath]

It is a second thread I thought I was going crazy there for a second.

 

[Hypersmurf]

It is a second thread I thought I was going crazy there for a second.

Merged.

-Hyp.
(Moderator)