Call Lightning vs. Flying Dragon?

[Dorloran]

I'd be interested to read the collective wisdom on this scenario I will be DMing this Friday.

Here's the situation:

Party is traveling across a snowy plain at night, using either Light spell or torches to see; no moonlight because of the dense cloud cover. Party is attacked in fly-by by a juvenile white dragon. The human druid wants to cast Call Lightning to attack the dragon.

Question:
How effectively can the human druid use his Call Lightning against the dragon? How does the human's limited range of vision affect his use of the spell--can he see well enough to target the dragon or would he have to roll or something, even though the spell doesn't say that? Because Call Lightning strikes a 5 ft. area, how does the dragon's flying affect the use of the spell? Since the dragon is flying and not on the ground, can the druid direct the lightning into the air? How precise would you say such a strike would be? Any other considerations?

Thanks!!

 

[Saeviomagy]

Question:
How effectively can the human druid use his Call Lightning against the dragon? How does the human's limited range of vision affect his use of the spell--can he see well enough to target the dragon or would he have to roll or something, even though the spell doesn't say that? Because Call Lightning strikes a 5 ft. area, how does the dragon's flying affect the use of the spell? Since the dragon is flying and not on the ground, can the druid direct the lightning into the air? How precise would you say such a strike would be? Any other considerations?

Thanks!!

Call lightning doesn't strike a 5ft area, it produces a 30ft long 5ft wide vertical line of lightning, which strikes wherever the druid chooses. Which is absolutely anywhere within the range of the spell.

If the druid cannot see the dragon at all, then he is left with randomly determining a point to hit. Standard rules on vision distance, spot checks and the like all apply.

I'd suggest the druid readies an action to hit the dragon when it comes into view.

 

[daemonslye]

I'd suggest the druid readies an action to hit the dragon when it comes into view.

I agree with this. Couldn't resist recalling the movie "Dragonslayer" (1981),
starring Ralph Richardson (also seen in "Time Bandits" as the Supreme Being).

Even with better lighting conditions, the dragon was able to sneak up
on the wizard and in the end, perform a nice snatch maneuver (which was
just what the wizard wanted as it turned out). This scene was really the
stand out for the movie (and likely responsible for it's nominations at the
Oscars).

~D

 

[noeuphoria]

"Now don't touch that, it's concentrated evil, very bad"

 

[Plane Sailing]

I agree with this. Couldn't resist recalling the movie "Dragonslayer" (1981),
starring Ralph Richardson (also seen in "Time Bandits" as the Supreme Being).

I loved that film - I thought of it as soon as I saw the thread title.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

How effectively can the human druid use his Call Lightning against the dragon? How does the human's limited range of vision affect his use of the spell--can he see well enough to target the dragon or would he have to roll or something, even though the spell doesn't say that?

Unless I am mistaken, Line of Sight is only broken by 100% concealment. Anything less than that does not interfere with spell targetting at all. It may effect those spells that require an attack roll, but targetting is automatic so long as your target is not completely invisible to you.

So in the end it's just as Saeviomagy said. The druid can cast Call Lightning, then ready an action every round after that to strike the dragon as soon as it comes into view.