Autofire question

[Dismas]

Ahh but since there is no errata how can you be sure that the word "half" was accidentialy left out. You also know that all other instences where you would make a reflex save against a damaging result you would take half damage.

There has been errata (not official, but confirmed by Charles Ryan) posted on the WoTC boards in the FAQ section and now seperate. Autofire has been discussed in depth on the WoTC and Charles has not yet said 'its a misprint'.

If your interpretation is correct it makes autofire frieghtenly powerful. All I have to do everyround is to use autofire, as long as I can hit a Defense of 10 I am guarenteed to do some damage to everyone in the area of effect.

and for evryone the FULL text of the FAQ entry you quoted:

Q: If an object or creature takes up more than one space, does it take more damage than the normal +2d*? For instance, if two thugs are standing behind a car, and I autofire with two squares on the car, and the other two on the orcs, does the car take 4d* twice, or just once? If only once, what would the point be of concentrating all your fire on the car?

A: Autofire is an area effect. Everything within the area takes the prescribed damage (unless it saves), regardless of the creature or object's size. It helps if you remember that autofire works exactly the same way as grenades and fireballs. If you cast a fireball at a Gargantuan dragon, the dragon takes 10d6 damage--not 10d6 per five-foot square it occupies. Same for autofire. Burst fire, on the other hand, is a ranged attack, made like any other ranged attack. The target's size modifier is built into its Defense, so it's easier to hit larger creatures.

 

[Ranger REG]

All I can say, that with grenades (and it's many shrapnels--numbering more than 10--as well as shockwave) and the fireball (which can engulf anyone within the area of effect), I can understand you can take half damage on a successful save.

But with 10 bullets expended in an autofire attack? Come on.

And may I remind you that an autofire is an attack. If you can make multiple attacks due to BAB, you can unload more than 10 bullets, forcing everyone in the area of effect make more than one Reflex save.

 

[Dismas]

OK. I knew I had seen an Offical answer on the WoTC boards. Just did a search on Autofire and came up with this thread:

http://boards.wizards.com/community-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=291;t=000173;p=3

page 3 6th post down:

one more question about auto fire... the targets get saves (against the attack role, i think?), but if they make the save, do they take half damage, or none?

It's all or none.

--------------------
Charles Ryan
Editor, RPG R&D
Wizards of the Coast

I will be adding it to the FAQ.

 

[Dareoon Dalandrove]

That's all i was waiting for, an offical answer

 

[Ranger REG]

For official answers, post questions on the Wizards' messageboard with a "[WOOF!]" tag on the subject line. d20 Modern co-designer Charles Ryan will answer your question.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

From the Message Boards:

To reiterate:
The rules on this are pretty clear: "every creature within the affected area must make a Relex save (DC 15) or take the weapon's damage."
Anyone who says you take half damage on a save is reading something into the rules that isn't there. Period.
It's true that, in the d20 System, many effects that allow Reflex saves deal half damage on a failed save. Apparently, some people are now assuming that that's the default rule. It isn't. If a save cuts the damage in half, the rules will say so.
Hope that helps!
--------------------
Charles Ryan
Editor, RPG R&D
Wizards of the Coast

 

[Ranger REG]

Amen.

 

[jeffhartsell]

Good to see!! Save for half seemed not to make sense.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Well, if it seems to make no sense, whe didn`t you "understand" the rule in a senseful way

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[jeffhartsell]

I think it was about 11 days ago I posted that I'd be ruling Save for none regardless of any official ruling. So having the official ruling jive with my thoughts after reading people's comments is nice