Charm Monster has no somatic components?

[Creamsteak]

I was just looking at my SRD, and it looks like Charm Monster lacks an S component, but all other charm spells have both an S and V.

 

[andargor]

I was just looking at my SRD, and it looks like Charm Monster lacks an S component, but all other charm spells have both an S and V.

I guess body language doesn't cross species well.

Andargor

 

[Rashak Mani]

I suppose its to allow Arcane spellcasters a chance of saving themselves when grappled by the monster and casting Charm Monster ?

 

[frankthedm]

Having a "really good friend" that close may still be problematic.....

 

[FireLance]

Um, actually - it's Charm Monster, Mass that has no somatic component. Charm monster still has a somatic component as it's based off Charm Person.

I guess the (effectively) free Still Spell is to balance it off other Mass spells which tend to be +4 level and affect 1 target/level. Mass Charm Monster caps at 2HD/level (or a single creature with more than twice your level in HD) instead.

I guess the 2HD cap is to prevent a high-level spellcaster from using Mass Charm Monster as a tremendous force multiplier. 1 high-HD "friend" per level with a single casting of this spell may be a bit much. Mass Charm Monster cast by a Sor/Wiz has a minimum save DC of 22 (10+8+4 - minimum stat of 18 required). A frost giant has 14 HD and a Will save of +6 (75% fail rate). Find a group of 16 frost giants (Sor/Wiz 16) and walk away with 12 new 14-HD frost giant "friends".

 

[Shadowdweller]

I suppose its to allow Arcane spellcasters a chance of saving themselves when grappled by the monster and casting Charm Monster ?

Images run through my head of a poor wizard being hugged to death by an overexuberant monster he just charmed...

 

[Pielorinho]

Images run through my head of a poor wizard being hugged to death by an overexuberant monster he just charmed...

"I'm going to LOVE him and SQUEEZE him...."

Actually, the image that got into my mind was after Andargor said,

I guess body language doesn't cross species well.

What body language does the spell normally have? A crooked finger and a wink? Licking the lips and wiggling the eyebrows?

Daniel

 

[andargor]

What body language does the spell normally have? A crooked finger and a wink? Licking the lips and wiggling the eyebrows?

Assuming you have a free hand, use your imagination...

Of course, Antipathy is a whole different ball of wax. Or should I say, lump of alum.

Andargor