Cleric: two turning questions

[Warrior Poet]

Two questions (and Dingleberry, if you're out there, I'd appreciate your thoughts) --

1) Does the Extra Turning feat apply to elemental domain powers and the ability to turn/rebuke creatures with the Earth/Air/Fire/Water descriptor? If so, does it seem excessively powerful, i.e. is this too much of an advantage over clerics who can't affect creatures with an elemental descriptor, since having a domain power is essentially broadening the range of creatures that a cleric can influence?

2) Does the actual act of turning have a verbal component? I've always assumed it did, but one of my players recently asked if turning undead was still possible when under the influence of a Silence spell or similar noise-dampening field. I'm on the fence about this one at the moment. Charisma can still come across in silence -- silent movies, for instance (e.g. the original Nosferatu starring Max Schreck). On the other hand, it seems like a cleric might need to "alert" the divine powers to what's going on with a shout, call, or prayer to start the turning ...

Any help would be much appreciated. If I have missed posts that have already addressed these issues, please direct me to them. Many thanks.

Warrior Poet

 

[Mr Fidgit]

1) "Does the Extra Turning feat apply to elemental domain powers and the ability to turn/rebuke creatures with the Earth/Air/Fire/Water descriptor?"

since the Domain powers say "turn or destroy a [whathaveyou] creature as a good cleric turns undead, and the extra turning feat gives more turns per day, i'd have to say yes

is it too much of an advantage...? i don't think so. there are many other Domain powers that would be used much more often in more situations, and be more 'powerful' (if you will) than turning elemental creatures



2) "Does the actual act of turning have a verbal component?"

i don't believe so. the only stated requirement is "You must present your holy symbol to turn undead." (PH p139)

 

[AuraSeer]

1) Does the Extra Turning feat apply to elemental domain powers and the ability to turn/rebuke creatures with the Earth/Air/Fire/Water descriptor?

This is covered in the FAQ. "[E]xtra turning technically can be applied only to undead turning, but there's no good reason you can't apply it to another type of turning. If you have more than one type of turning ability, you choose which type the feat will affect when you take the feat."

So you can add four uses of Turn Undead, or four uses of Turn Elemental (or whatever), but not both at the same time. Note that uses of the separate turning abilities are not interchangeable.

2) Does the actual act of turning have a verbal component?

Nope. It is a supernatural ability that requires the character to present his holy symbol. Saying "Begone servants of evil!" is purely for dramatic effect.

 

[Dingleberry]

<summon Dingleberry finally takes effect...>

I'm with AuraSeer on both points. I'd even extend the FAQ's advice to all turning feats (e.g., Heighten).

WP. are you at work? If yes, pick me up one of them hats. You know the one I mean.

 

[Warrior Poet]

Thanks, all, for the help.

This is covered in the FAQ.

Cool. Um ... can you direct me to this FAQ, that I may investigate its wisdom further (and for future reference)?

pick me up one of them hats. You know the one I mean.

"Open the door."
"I rage."
"Power attack."
"Throw the hammer, you better believe that's a paddlin'

Warrior Poet

 

[AuraSeer]

Cool. Um ... can you direct me to this FAQ, that I may investigate its wisdom further (and for future reference)?

You can find it here on the WOTC website.

 

[Li Shenron]

Two questions (and Dingleberry, if you're out there, I'd appreciate your thoughts) --

1) Does the Extra Turning feat apply to elemental domain powers and the ability to turn/rebuke creatures with the Earth/Air/Fire/Water descriptor? If so, does it seem excessively powerful, i.e. is this too much of an advantage over clerics who can't affect creatures with an elemental descriptor, since having a domain power is essentially broadening the range of creatures that a cleric can influence?

If you mean that taking the ET feat grants you 4 extra undead turning attempts/day AND 4 extra elemental turning attempts/day, I am sure it is not the case. ET grants you 4 extra UNDEAD only turning undead, just keep Turn Undead ability separated from the other turning abilities.

OTOH, I would see no problem in writing a feat that gives you 4 more attempt/day in turning fire/rebuking water creatures, but for sure you don't get both with one feat.

2) Does the actual act of turning have a verbal component? I've always assumed it did, but one of my players recently asked if turning undead was still possible when under the influence of a Silence spell or similar noise-dampening field. I'm on the fence about this one at the moment. Charisma can still come across in silence -- silent movies, for instance (e.g. the original Nosferatu starring Max Schreck). On the other hand, it seems like a cleric might need to "alert" the divine powers to what's going on with a shout, call, or prayer to start the turning ...

I believe there is no indication of components at all for this ability, which is not a spell-like ability anyway. You just need you holy symbol and "activate" the ability.

 

[bertman4]

What about Darkness? If you have to "present" your holy symbol, must they be able to see you? I know cover will protect undead form being turned...

Bertman

 

[shilsen]

What about Darkness? If you have to "present" your holy symbol, must they be able to see you? I know cover will protect undead form being turned...

Bertman

Since there's no mention of sight being required, I would say that it doesn't matter.