Confused about Spellsword's Channel Spell ability

[Joshua Randall]

The Spellsword PrC (Tome and Blood) get the Channel Spell ability, which lets him cast spells through his weapon. Tome and Blood says, "The channeled spell [...] must specify a target. Thus, sleep is not eligible since it does not affect a "target creature.'" (page 67)

I understand why sleep is not eligible, but I don't understand the rest of the sentence. Would chill touch be eligible ("Targets: creature or creatures touched " (PH, 184))? What about other spells with a range of Touch? What about ray of enfeeblement (PH, 242-3) which doesn't technically specify a target creature?

Apologies in advance if this question has been asked before.

 

[DiFier]

Lets see. I don't have any books in front of me, so I'm not sure about the Ray of enfebelement but I think it would work.

here is a list of spells that I know can be channeled. (and would be useful. I mean you could channel resistance or invisibility but why would you)

0th Ray of frost. (We decieded that you can channel 2 0th lvl spells per day with channel spell 1 unlike the rules say where they are counted as 1st level)
1st. Shocking grasp, chill touch. (I think this is 1st level, tho you only get one channeling so it isn't really worth it) all of the lesser orb spells (from tome and blood, all the orbs are channeled into the target you are attacking)

I just got channel spell 2 and haven't had a chance to use it yet. but there is a feat in BOEM3 called precise touch that allows you to take a area effect spell and memorize it one level lower as a touch attack so now I can channel fireball and forceblast at 2nd level with all the damage going to one person. woo hoo.

other spells that would work that I can't remember what level they are hold person. bolt of conjuring. (I think), Pierce, compelling question. Dr. N has helped me alot. giving me the heads up on spells that would work great with the channel spell ability.

check out this thread http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18259 it is on epic spell swords but it can be useful

 

[AuraSeer]

A spell is eligible if it has a Target entry. That does include most touch spells.

Ray spells generate an Effect, not a Target, so they do not qualify. You cannot channel Ray of Enfeeblement or even Ray of Frost.

 

[DiFier]

A spell is eligible if it has a Target entry. That does include most touch spells.

Ray spells generate an Effect, not a Target, so they do not qualify. You cannot channel Ray of Enfeeblement or even Ray of Frost.

actually Rays and ranged touch attacks can be channeled. here is a quote form the above link.

"I found out that I'd been unduly strict in the spells that could be cast through the sword - I just recently found the FAQ answer where [the sage] clarifies that rays and other ranged touch attacks work. I was going by 'it's targeted if it says 'Target' in the description." - drnuncheon

I'll ask Dr. N to locate that FAQ answer for us.