Bestow Curse Stackable?

[daemonslye]

Is bestow curse stackable for the same types of effects;
In particular:

PHB p.203

–4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability
checks, and skill checks

So a clieric with two or three of these memorized may
continue to cast this spell on the same subject causing the
same penalty.

The (negative) bonus is "unnamed" (DMG p.21) and "curse" does not
seem to be a condition type (DMG p.300);

Correct? Thx.

~D

 

[Scharlata]

[...] The (negative) bonus is "unnamed" (DMG p.21) and "curse" does not seem to be a condition type (DMG p.300) [...]

Hi

If you'd follow the chain of arguments offered in the Ray of Enfeeblement thread you'd be correct.

In 3.5, penalties stack because they are unnamed.

Kind regards

 

[noeuphoria]

I'm pretty sure penalties from the same spell don't stack. I know the PHB specifically mentions ray of enfeeblement as a spell that does not stack with itself.

 

[Pyrex]

Usually the effects of a spell, even if the bonus/penalty is unnamed, doesn't stack with itself.

Ex: Two castings of Resist Energy: Fire don't stack, but since the base spell is modal, Resist Energy: Fire does "stack" with Resist Energy: Acid

Similarly, two castings of Bestow Curse: -4 won't stack, but a casting of Bestow Curse: -4 would stack with Bestow Curse: -6 STR and so on.

 

[Scharlata]

Usually the effects of a spell, even if the bonus/penalty is unnamed, doesn't stack with itself.

Ex: Two castings of Resist Energy: Fire don't stack, but since the base spell is modal, Resist Energy: Fire does "stack" with Resist Energy: Acid

I stand corrected. Thank you.

penalty: A negative modifier to a die roll. Penalties do not usually have a type, and always stack with other penalties (except those from the same source) unless otherwise stated.

But then you can't vote for ...

Similarly, two castings of Bestow Curse: -4 won't stack, but a casting of Bestow Curse: -4 would stack with Bestow Curse: -6 STR and so on.

... because the penalties derive from the same source.

Kind regards

 

[Camarath]

But then you can't vote for ...

... because the penalties derive from the same source.

Both penalties would apply because stacking is only an issue for penalties applied to the same scores, checks, or abilities.

 

[Pyrex]

Exactly. In the same way that Resist Energy: Fire and Resist Energy: Acid are "stackable" because they enhance different attributes (even though those two attributes are being enhanced by the "same" spell); Bestow Curse: -6 STR is "stackable" with Bestow Curse: -6 CON because they penalize different attributes.

The same bonus/penalty from the same source can't stack.

Different bonuses/penalties from the same source can stack overlap.

 

[daemonslye]

Got it -

So if a character is affected by 'bestow curse' (-4 to checks, etc.)
by one caster and, later, another caster attempts to use the same
spell and effect on them, there would be no apparent effect (however,
if, somehow, the original spell were removed - but not the second spell,
the penalty would remain in force until the second spell was removed);

If the 2nd caster attempted a 'different curse', say "-6 to an ability",
this would work - assuming a missed saving throw;

Thx!

~D

 

[The Souljourner]

Yup, that's the way I'd rule it. Same effects from same spells don't stack, but different effects from the same spell would.

-The Souljourner

 

[GlassJaw]

The reason ray of enfeeblement doesn't stack is because it's an enhancement penalty. Think of it as the opposite of bull's strength.