dumb question?

[Drowbane]

The Setup: As long as I've been playing 3e (since shortly after it came out), I (and the DM's I've gamed with) have viewed Lines to be 5ft radius, starting from any of the caster's corners and continuing for thier length, hitting all squares they pass through (basicly running down the line between squares, hurting foes on both sides; 5ft radius).

One of my more recent DMs thinks that it is only 5ft wide, and after seven years of just "knowing" how it works, I can't seem to find the evidence to support my claim.

Question: So which is it? How "wide" is a Line (such as Lightning Bolt)?

 

[RangerWickett]

The way we run it (and we've got some rules lawyers, so I'd consider it 'official') is to draw a line from any point in the caster's square to any point within range. Every square that this line passes through (or touches the edge of) is affected.

 

[kaomera]

The way we run it (and we've got some rules lawyers, so I'd consider it 'official') is to draw a line from any point in the caster's square to any point within range. Every square that this line passes through (or touches the edge of) is affected.

p176 PHB. Note that many groups do use the "5' wide = one square only" rule, but it's not RAW. Your DM may have a house-rule in place, without even realizing that it is a house-rule.

 

[lukelightning]

A line more resembles a 10' wide path...if you cast it straight along a grid line it effects a 10 foot path.

 

[kelson]

apparently it is not as dumb a question as you thought...

 

[blargney the second]

Lines: PHB 175-176. The diagram explains it all.
-blarg

 

[robberbaron]

Nice one Blarg.

 

[moranica]

There are no dumb questions,


... only dumb people.

 

[Darklone]

You can either ask a dumb question and be a fool for 5 minutes or stay a fool for the rest of your life.

 

[Drowbane]

Thanks, I've confirmed that I've been using Lines right. Now to convince this other group that they've been doing it wrong for... SEVEN YEARS

Good times.

Lines: PHB 175-176. The diagram explains it all.
-blarg

Not if you misinterpret it.