Endure, Resist, and Protection from Elements

[Bronn Spellforger]

I know this has probably been answered before, but I need to know:

When memorizing Endure, Resist, or Protection From Elements, does the spellcaster need to determine which element will be involved beforehand?

Or does the spellcaster have the spell memorized and can cast it as Protection from Acid or Fire or Cold as the situation demands.

Personally, I've been playing that he doesn't have to determine the element beforehand since the description doesn't say so.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Re: Endure, Resist, and Protection from Elemenets

When memorizing Endure, Resist, or Protection From Elements, does the spellcaster need to determine which element will be involved beforehand?

No.

 

[AuraSeer]

The element type is chosen at the time of casting.

[Edited to fix typo]

 

[Dr. Zoom]

For a reference, check the PH, p. 148, column one, 3rd paragraph under the heading "Choosing a Spell."

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Yeah and while we're at it why not explain why endure elements lasts for 24 hours and resist elements last some cheesball duration like 10 minutes x level. As is I think endure elements is actually a better spell and it also is one level lower.

 

[Rashak Mani]

Endure is practical but not great... 5 less points from a damage type you dont know about for sure several hours before isnt great... 12 isnt too good as well... but will save your life much surer

 

[shilsen]

Yeah and while we're at it why not explain why endure elements lasts for 24 hours and resist elements last some cheesball duration like 10 minutes x level. As is I think endure elements is actually a better spell and it also is one level lower.

The funny thing is that the spells have durations as follows:

Endure Elements (1st lvl) - 24 hrs
Resist Elements (2nd lvl) - 1 min/lvl
Protection from Elements (3rd lvl) - 10 mins/lvl

Considering that each higher-lvl spell overlaps the lower one(s), I don't think that it would be causing any balance issues to raise the duration of Resist Elements to 1 hr/lvl. That would, however, be a house rule.

 

[hong]

I think it's just a case of what each of the endure/resist/prot. from elements spells are supposed to do. Endure elements will stop you from freezing to death in the wilderness, or dying of heatstroke in the desert. Resist and prot. from elements, however, will help keep you from being killed by a dragon. The latter two are really combat spells, while the first one isn't.

 

[Sir Hawkeye]

The really weird thing is that rangers get the two combat survival spells, but not the wilderness survival spell.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

All three spells are great in DragonStar Campaings, where a Laser pistol (a small size weapon) deals 2d10 points of fire damage, or a blaster pistol 3d8 points of electricity damage.