Attacking a square

[0-hr]

In our last session, a PC used his Necklace of Fireballs and the DM wanted him to roll to hit the square that the was targetting with the bead thingy.

Now, aside from the fact that I don't think any roll is required to use this item, where is the AC of a square spelled out?

 

[mikebr99]

The DM is always right of course...

But I'm sure the necklass is just launching a fireball... so the user simply points out the line of effect, and states a distance... no rolls required.


but, again.. the Dm is always right... no matter what he is smoking.


Mike

 

[Ferox4]

Ranged touch attack vs. AC 5. This assumes a base AC of 10 less 5 (-5 dex to AC). Roll d20 and don't fumble the damn thing.

 

[UltimaGabe]

The same issue arises when using Javelins of Lightning. The spell itself doesn't require an attack roll, but since the item is a javelin at first, most people assume you still need to make an attack roll. By the rules, no attack roll is needed by either item. It's attacking as a spell, not as a weapon.

In my group, however, we rule that using one of those two is halfway between attacking with a spell and attacking with a weapon- meaning the attack will go off, regardless of the enemy's AC, as long as you don't roll a natural 1. (If you do, then let's just say your allies will be looking for your equipment for a while.) If you roll a natural 20, however, the attack becomes a critical hit (dealing double damage).

 

[Kemrain]

This leads to the question everyone wants answered... What's the range incriment of a fireball?

- Kemrain the Painfully Amused.

 

[Endur]

ten feet. And its not a fireball. Its a jewel that explodes (i.e. grenade).

This leads to the question everyone wants answered... What's the range incriment of a fireball?

- Kemrain the Painfully Amused.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

It is completely legitimate to require an attack roll if you are launching a Fireball through an arrow slit or some stunt like that. Use AC 5 (as cacluated above) plus whatever cover the arrow slit gives.

 

[jgsugden]

It is completely legitimate to require an attack roll if you are launching a Fireball through an arrow slit or some stunt like that. Use AC 5 (as cacluated above) plus whatever cover the arrow slit gives.

I use a house rule that requires touch attacks for aiming an area of attack spell (and include range modifiers). When attacking a 5' X 5' area, I use AC 4 instead of AC 5 because attacking an entire 5' X 5' area is similar to attacking a large monster instead of attacking a medium monster, even though the 5' X 5' square only occupies one square.

 

[Keith]

The ranged touch attack against AC 5 from the splash weapon section (mentioned above) seems reasonable. Even a miss would land nearby, though. I don’t think the 10’ range is right, as the standard item description says:
“The spheres are detachable by the wearer (and only by the wearer), who can easily hurl one of them up to 70 feet. When a sphere arrives at the end of its trajectory, it detonates as a fireball spell (Reflex DC 14 half ).”

 

[Trainz]

The ranged touch attack against AC 5 from the splash weapon section (mentioned above) seems reasonable. Even a miss would land nearby, though. I don’t think the 10’ range is right, as the standard item description says:
“The spheres are detachable by the wearer (and only by the wearer), who can easily hurl one of them up to 70 feet. When a sphere arrives at the end of its trajectory, it detonates as a fireball spell (Reflex DC 14 half ).”

Well then I think it's obvious you should treat it as a regular fireball with a 70 feet range. It doesn't stipulate that it requires an attack roll, hence you go to the emulated spell's description (which doesn't require an attack roll).


Q.E.D.