dcollins
Explorer
Summary of updates to the Main FAQ v040403 (now 64 pages):
(1) You may reroll ability scores if the total modifier is 0 OR the highest score is 13 (PHB p. 4).
(2) [edit] A free spellbook for multiclassing into wizard, but no other extra equipment.
(3) Uncanny dodge works when awareness is an issue, not physical constraint. Also, any character can take the -20 grapple option specified for the "improved grab" ability.
(4) Long example comparing Bardic knowledge to Knowledge skills. In general, Bardic knowledge is dependent on the number of other people who know the information.
(5) Rogues can sneak attack any creatures that cannot see them, including those who make Listen checks or use the Scent ability (nut not Blindsight or Uncanny Dodge).
(6) Assassin death attacks are not death effects for the purposes or "raise dead".
(7) Loremasters add their level to their Bardic-knowledge-like checks, not Knowledge checks in general.
Opinion/Editorial
As usual, the majority of these rulings are pretty obviously correct from the text of the core rules.
(3) Makes me generally critical of expanding the rules in tangential comments in the FAQ (i.e., the "Improved Grab" option being bgiven to all characters), even if it's not immediately clear how that would be advantageous to most PCs. (i.e., it seems unnecessary).
(5) Is counter to how I personally ruled in one fight with creatures using Scent against a Shadowdancer trying to sneak attack (which was controversial with the player in question). It seems to weaken Scent quite a bit if the "detection" of invisible creatures apparently gives no actual benefit (other than opening the door for pinpointing, which doesn't really allow even a single attack, since finding direction takes a standard action).
Additionally, it would have been perhaps nice for clarification on hiding-and-sneak-attacking, which is the current debate in my group (the FAQ mentions specifically only sneak-attack-from-darkness). One might infer from Sword & Fist that any sneak attack automatically reveals the attacker (they need to Hide again), but it's really not spelled out anywhere.
(1) You may reroll ability scores if the total modifier is 0 OR the highest score is 13 (PHB p. 4).
(2) [edit] A free spellbook for multiclassing into wizard, but no other extra equipment.
(3) Uncanny dodge works when awareness is an issue, not physical constraint. Also, any character can take the -20 grapple option specified for the "improved grab" ability.
(4) Long example comparing Bardic knowledge to Knowledge skills. In general, Bardic knowledge is dependent on the number of other people who know the information.
(5) Rogues can sneak attack any creatures that cannot see them, including those who make Listen checks or use the Scent ability (nut not Blindsight or Uncanny Dodge).
(6) Assassin death attacks are not death effects for the purposes or "raise dead".
(7) Loremasters add their level to their Bardic-knowledge-like checks, not Knowledge checks in general.
Opinion/Editorial
As usual, the majority of these rulings are pretty obviously correct from the text of the core rules.
(3) Makes me generally critical of expanding the rules in tangential comments in the FAQ (i.e., the "Improved Grab" option being bgiven to all characters), even if it's not immediately clear how that would be advantageous to most PCs. (i.e., it seems unnecessary).
(5) Is counter to how I personally ruled in one fight with creatures using Scent against a Shadowdancer trying to sneak attack (which was controversial with the player in question). It seems to weaken Scent quite a bit if the "detection" of invisible creatures apparently gives no actual benefit (other than opening the door for pinpointing, which doesn't really allow even a single attack, since finding direction takes a standard action).
Additionally, it would have been perhaps nice for clarification on hiding-and-sneak-attacking, which is the current debate in my group (the FAQ mentions specifically only sneak-attack-from-darkness). One might infer from Sword & Fist that any sneak attack automatically reveals the attacker (they need to Hide again), but it's really not spelled out anywhere.
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