Bigby’s Icy Grasp Question - Can I sustain, release, attack?

[Pyrrhus of Epirus]

Bigby’s Icy Grasp Question - Can I sustain, release, attack?

Bigby’s Icy Grasp

Wizard Attack 5

You conjure a giant floating hand made of chiseled ice that

clutches foes and freezes them.
Daily ​

✦ Arcane, Cold, Conjuration, Implement

Standard Action Ranged 20

Effect: ​

You conjure a 5-foot-tall hand of ice in an unoccupied

square within range, and the hand attacks. As a move

action, you can move the hand up to 6 squares.
Target: ​

One creature adjacent to the hand

Attack: ​

Intelligence vs. Reflex

Hit: ​

2d8 + Intelligence modifier cold damage, and the hand

grabs the target. If the target attempts to escape, the hand

uses your Fortitude or Reflex defense.
Sustain Minor: ​

A target grabbed by the hand takes 1d8 +

Intelligence modifier cold damage when you sustain this

power. As a standard action, you can attack another target
with the hand, but it must release a target it has grabbed.​

On the turn after I cast Bigby’s Icy Grasp, and on subsequent turns, can I

1) Minor action - sustain - causing 1b8+int dmg
2) Free action - release grabbed target
3) Strandard Action - attack target for 2d8+int​

The placing of the "another" word confuses me. It seems to state that I can sustain minor on a currently grabbed target, let go and attack another. But does "another" in this case prohibit me from attacking the released target? If that is there intention someone explain why the hand can release a target, move, attack another target, but could not simple release and attack? ​

I think the intention is that if the wizards wants to spend his minor and standard action doing dmg with the hand he may, but he must at least risk losing the grab if he misses. ​

Your thoughts?​

 

[Kordeth]

Your thoughts?

No. It says as a standard action you may attack another target. The same creature you just released is not another target, it's the same target.

 

[Rafe]

The placing of the "another" word confuses me. It seems to state that I can sustain minor on a currently grabbed target, let go and attack another. But does "another" in this case prohibit me from attacking the released target? If that is there intention someone explain why the hand can release a target, move, attack another target, but could not simple release and attack?

From the description, as a standard action, you can attack another target with the hand. Another... not the same target. So you can't cast it, have it attack Kobold 1, sustain next round for the 1d8 damage whilst in a grab, release the grab and re-grab Kobold 1 again for 2d8.

 

[Caliban]

Now if the original target escaped from the hand on it's turn, would the hand now have no target and be free to attack anyone?

I think so, but am interested in others opinions.

 

[James McMurray]

I'd say yes. In addition, if they escape you can grab them and then sustain, dealing 3d8 + (int + implement) * 2.

 

[Caliban]

I'd say yes. In addition, if they escape you can grab them and then sustain, dealing 3d8 + (int + implement) * 2.

I don't think you can make the standard action to grab with it until after you have Sustained it in this case (because that text is part of the Sustain text).

You could, if they fail to escape, Sustain (minor action) it for 1d8+(Int+Implement) damage, release the target (free action), and then attack another target (standard action) for 2d8+(int+implement) damage.

 

[James McMurray]

The only limitation page 278 gives for when you sustain something is that it has to be before the end of your turn or the effect will stop. You can use a power and then decide whether or not to sustain it (and thereby gain any effects from the sustain: line).

 

[Pyrrhus of Epirus]

Does anyone else find it odd that the hand can attack other targets but is prhibited from attacking its former target? It just strikes me as wierd and I don't see any reasoning behind it other than to weaken the spell verses a solo.

 

[James McMurray]

I assume they didn't want a spell that could consistently deal 3d8+ damage to someone at that level, but they wanted a spell that could grab people. It doesn't just limit it versus solos, it limits it versus everything but minions.

 

[Rafe]

In addition, if they escape you can grab them and then sustain, dealing 3d8 + (int + implement) * 2.

I disagree. If they break the grab, they're "another" target. You can't do sustain damage on a first attack. You could re-grab the initial target and then, next round, do sustained grab damage. It would be as if you'd cast it for the first time.