Area spells and evasion in closed rooms

[Darklone]

Now that sounds like hong.

 

[TheEvil]

Now that sounds like hong.

Hyp or myself?

 

[bestone]

Even if this rogue was standing in an enclosed area with a room filling burst of fire!, and even if there were no chairs tables, or other such objects he could duck behind. There will still be other party members to hide behind!

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I agree that evasion still works regardless of the character's position in regards to the spell area. If you wanted to house rule it, you could impose a -2 circumstance penalty but even that's not really supported by the RAW.

It is, however, somewhat of a significant problem (IMO). Or the description of the ability just needs tweaking (maybe throw in some kind of "lucky" connotation).

 

[pallandrome]

Taken directly from the SRD

Extraordinary Abilities (Ex)
Extraordinary abilities are nonmagical, though they may break the laws of physics. They are not something that just anyone can do or even learn to do without extensive training.

So yes, while according to the laws of physics, the rogue should be caught in the explosion. Fortunately, evasion breaks those laws (darn rogues, always breaking laws!), so you can safely ignore the thought that the rogue SHOULD be caught in the blast.

This all being said, what kind of game are you trying to run? If it is a grim and gritty game of high lethality, go ahead and house-rule a need for the rogue to get to a safe space. If it is high adventure style, I'd suggest sticking to the core rules.

 

[borc killer]

And you should only take away class defining abilities in extreme situations. I would not classify that as an extreme.

However, in the past I have increased the save DC by 2 in situations that I felt warranted it… but that can be a slippery slop. To use your example the room would have to be 10x10x10 and completely void of anything else (including other PCs) before I would think about giving the DC bonus.

 

[Darklone]

Hyp or myself?

Your bulletproof logic sentence

Hyp never sounds like hong. That's .... simply impossible. And a frightening thought.

 

[rgard]

if four spheres explode in 40ft radius spreads in a 15ft radius room with 15ft high ceiling - that seems to fill the room - doesnt it? :\

btw. I am the DM

As I read the description of Evasion, the rogue or monk, or whoever had Evasion still gets the save for none. If you take this away based on the reading of the volume of the spell effects and the size of the room, you'll pretty much twink the Evasion ability.

As a DM, I would not disallow Evasion in that situation. That said, it's your call in your game. Assuming you let the players know ahead of time that Evasion doesn't work in those situations, your players have nothing to moan about. If this wasn't discussed...you may be accused of being capricious and arbitrary.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Li Shenron]

Also, if a spell really filled every inch of space within its area, it might as well by default NOT grant a saving throw itself.

 

[Hypersmurf]

That's .... simply impossible. And a frightening thought.

Stop stealing my schtick!

-Hyp.