Burst & Blast area

[Markn]

On page 281 of the PHB there is a diagram in the top right hand corner depicting "Cover against an Area Attack".

The square 2 spaces to the left of the statue is NOT included in the area of effect. Why not? Would this not be similar to the goblin to the right of the statue?

After reading line of effect it says that if every line you draw to a target is blocked then you don't have line of effect. Clearly, there is line of effect to 2 corners of that square in question so that should grant cover but still affect the square.

Now, having said all that, if one assumes the picture IS correct I would have to explain to my players why there is no Line of Effect. The only thing I can think of is this:

Affecting only 2 squares of a target with an area spell is the same as having the area spell end directly in front of the target and therefore it is not actually including the target. See Diagram A

X is a empty square
O is the burst/blast (BTW, I will use Blast/Burst 3)
N is the NPC that is standing just outside the burst/blast


XXNXX
XOOOX
XOOOX
XOOOX

Therefore, to affect someone with an area spell you need to have line of effect to at least 3 corners. is there any issue with that description? Is the logic flawed? Is there a better explanation?

 

[Calidarien]

I believe that square is simply out of range of the burst 2 (since you have to count around the wall, p.273).

 

[Markn]

You sir, are wise. I think that hit the nail on the head. Thank you!

 

[Maximillian]

If the square two to the left of the statue is out of range, why isn't the one immediately above the leftmost bugbear?

 

[knizia.fan]

If the square two to the left of the statue is out of range, why isn't the one immediately above the leftmost bugbear?

p. 273 explains how to count range. When you start counting, the first step includes all adjacent squares even if they're around a corner. After the first step, you have to count around corners the usual way, which takes two steps.

(I think that without this exception you wouldn't even be able to make a diagonal melee attack into a doorway unless you had reach!)

 

[Drakhar]

Affecting only 2 squares of a target with an area spell is the same as having the area spell end directly in front of the target and therefore it is not actually including the target. See Diagram A

X is a empty square
O is the burst/blast (BTW, I will use Blast/Burst 3)
N is the NPC that is standing just outside the burst/blast


XXNXX
XOOOX
XOOOX
XOOOX

Therefore, to affect someone with an area spell you need to have line of effect to at least 3 corners. is there any issue with that description? Is the logic flawed? Is there a better explanation?

I believe that is correct except that would only be the diagram for a blast 3 not a burst 3.

 

[Maximillian]

When you start counting, the first step includes all adjacent squares even if they're around a corner. After the first step, you have to count around corners the usual way, which takes two steps.

Ok, point taken. So the Statue isn't a "Solid object that fills [its] square"? Because if it were, you would have to count around the statue, putting the goblin out of range, rather than under cover.