Can You Empower Claws of the Beast?

[starwed]

So what's your take on, say, Spiritual Weapon? Empowerable? Deals an exact amount of damage determined at casting time with each attack, or rolls damage for each attack?

Same question for Flaming Sphere. Same question for Wall of Fire.

What I was trying to get at is that the concept of a weapon exists outside the framework of a particular spell, and the damage range of an attack is a property of the weapon itself. The concept of a flaming sphere or a wall of fire does not; thus we must parse the damage dealt by such as a numeric effect of the spell.

So I would rule that spiritual weapon is not empowerable, yet flaming sphere and wall of fire are.

edit: BTW, I haven't seen anyone weigh in on how you would interpret the Luminous Assassin spells from PHB2.

 

[Dracorat]

Power
Points Claw Damage
Small Medium Large
1 1d3 1d4 1d6
3 1d4 1d6 1d8
5 1d6 1d8 2d6
7 1d8 2d6 3d6
11 2d6 3d6 4d6
15 3d6 4d6 5d6
19 4d6 5d6 6d6

Seems quite clearly to indicate the damage is a result of the power. If it weren't, only size categories would be listed, not power point costs.

 

[starwed]

My assertion is that the table does not list the damage dealt by the power. Rather, it lists the damage range associated with the claws.

 

[Artoomis]

My assertion is that the table does not list the damage dealt by the power. Rather, it lists the damage range associated with the claws.

As in more power points gives you bigger claws.

Very reasonable.

 

[Hypersmurf]

So I would rule that spiritual weapon is not empowerable, yet flaming sphere and wall of fire are.

And the damage from Flaming Sphere and Wall of Fire are randomly determined each time damage results, not once at casting time?

edit: BTW, I haven't seen anyone weigh in on how you would interpret the Luminous Assassin spells from PHB2.

The damage dealt by a shortsword and the sneak attack and hit dice of a level X rogue are all defined elsewhere; they are not defined in the spell description, merely repeated. As such, I would not personally consider them affected by Empower or Maximize.

-Hyp.

 

[Dracorat]

Then let me ask a different question of everyone here:

If you attack a monster who has Spell Resistance with these claws, do they have the possibility of making a spell resistance save and being immune to the damage? (For that reason alone. No other factors considered)

 

[farscapesg1]

Now, if you roll the 1d4 when the power was manifested, and have the claws deal exactly that much damage with each attack, then I would agree that the claws could be empowered/maximized/whatever. Anyone been playing it this way? ^_^

So, how about chill touch? Can that spell only be empowered if the damage (1d6) is rolled when the spell is first cast?

We already know how much damage a touch does (0 points) from other examples such as Cure Minor Wounds (no damage when being touched, heals 1 point).

 

[Rystil Arden]

Then let me ask a different question of everyone here:

If you attack a monster who has Spell Resistance with these claws, do they have the possibility of making a spell resistance save and being immune to the damage? (For that reason alone. No other factors considered)

If you attack them with an Acid Arrow, do they have a chance to resist it with SR?

 

[farscapesg1]

Then let me ask a different question of everyone here:

If you attack a monster who has Spell Resistance with these claws, do they have the possibility of making a spell resistance save and being immune to the damage? (For that reason alone. No other factors considered)

By the rules, No. The spell description does not have a listing for Power Resistance.

IMO, yes. As I view the power being valid for empowerment, that also means that I view the claws as being manifested by psychic energy and would be subject to Spell/Power Resistance.

 

[Dracorat]

If you attack them with an Acid Arrow, do they have a chance to resist it with SR?

Considering Acid Arrow says

Spell Resistance: No

then No. But that's apples and oranges. And this is a Psionic ability, but I am looking for an answer as if it were a magical one since we are talking about applying a magical feat to it.