Flying and Web

[SpikeyFreak]

You are both being too extreme for my taste.

I wouldn't allow you to anchor a web spell on something that couldn't hold a creature.

But, I would most definately allow tree branches to work. At least if they are sufficiently thick. Even if they weren't I would likely do some ad-hoc rulings.

--Middle-ground Spikey

 

[KarinsDad]

Ok, you guys have convinced me.

There is still one outstanding set of questions in my mind:

If you cast the spell in a doorway, does it collapse except for the portion in the doorway (assuming the rooms around the doorway are too high for the web to hit the ceiling)? If so, considering that a lot of DMs use either squares or hexes to represent a room and a doorway is often at the edge of a room, does the spell have limited utility in such a case? Does it merely seal the doorway because characters are in spaces beyond the line for the doorway, or can you use the wall above the doorway and floor as diametrically opposed points?

For example:

../.\
./xx\
/.dd.\

where dd is the doorway, xx is the wall above the doorway and / and \ are the outside edges of the web (hope this displays ok).

PS. I tend to take the literal description of a spell and let someone convince me otherwise as opposed to attempting to figure out what some designer intended. Just my style. Doesn't mean I cannot be convinced with a good argument.

PSS. I agree with SpikeyFreak that tree branches, especially the side of a tree's worth, are easily strong enough to hold up a Web using the anchoring theory of how Web works.

 

[Devon]

targeting a flying creature

In a recent game, a character tried the "anchor flying creature to ground with Web spell" trick. It was flying about 20 ' off the ground at the time, and was of Poor maneuverability rating.

I ruled (and I admit this was just my ruling) that he had to target the creature with a ranged touch attack roll, at significant penalties - he rolled very well (at least 12 above its touch armor class). The creature then rolled (and failed) its save to shrug off the web effects (normally an anchor doesn't get a save, though, so this was perhaps a superfluous roll).

So, the web formed, starting at the ground and stretching to the target's chest and the bottom of its wings (the largest area at the time). This lasted until the target creature arced down into the ground (as would Wile E. Coyote in a cartoon), at which point the web then collapsed upon itself, leaving a mess of strands on the ground which then disappeared.

The creature, although never "entangled", was solidly checked in its flight path, and went down. It was able to stand on its next action (not entangled) but had taken damage from the fall.

I offer this as an example of things to consider when judging the rules. At no point was I ever going to let the flying creature become "entangled," but I did rule it as a (temporary) solid object.

I wish there had already been a Sage ruling on such things.

- Devon

 

[Devon]

bump, if't please you