Gelatinous Cube vs. Swap Places

[Ingolf]

The cube has to "change shape" in order to move/ attack. It can't always be a perfect 10x10 shape. There's 10x10 worth of "cube goo" so if it attacks, some of the cube goo moves forward, leaving space elsewhere.

The warlord leaps through that space, and the attack's momentum carries the cube forward.

I think we have a winner.

 

[tomBitonti]

Ok ... so, what would you say about using the ability against one of a line of warriors who are using wall shields and who are locked into a formation?

 

[frankthedm]

D&D has always been a bit loose about size/space requirements. In 3e, anyone with a high Tumble could move through the cube and not provoke an AOO, no matter how big the cube was.

Tumble has always specified over, under or around; none of which work against the hall filling cube that engulfs even those who even try to walk into it.

DC 25 Tumble up to 20 feet (as part of normal movement), suffering no attacks of opportunity while doing so and moving through areas occupied by enemies (over, under, or around them). Failure means the character tumbles 20 feet and can move hrough enemy-occupied areas but suffers attacks of opportunity normally.

In 3.5 that was was even addressed a second time.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/movementPositionAndDistance.htm#movingthroughaSquare
Designated Exceptions
Some creatures break the above rules. A creature that completely fills the squares it occupies cannot be moved past, even with the Tumble skill or similar special abilities.

 

[Scribble]

Generally I think any DM answer that penalizes a character for using one of his abilities/powers in a normal* fashion is a bad one.



*By normal I mean the character is simply using it as written and not trying to gain a cheap bonus out of a strange wording or use. (ie bag of rats.)

 

[Blackeagle]

Ok ... so, what would you say about using the ability against one of a line of warriors who are using wall shields and who are locked into a formation?

Sure. You take a swing at him, drive him out of formation and fill the hole he left.

 

[joela]

Kiss

The cube has to "change shape" in order to move/ attack. It can't always be a perfect 10x10 shape. There's 10x10 worth of "cube goo" so if it attacks, some of the cube goo moves forward, leaving space elsewhere.

The warlord leaps through that space, and the attack's momentum carries the cube forward.

Nice. Heroic and simple (as in keep it simple, silly). Thanks!

 

[fnwc]

I've been wondering what a prone cube would look like.

Well, you knock it onto one of its other sides. It's like fighting a giant gooey d6!

Someone would like to have a word with you:

 

[Lizard]

Tumble has always specified over, under or around; none of which work against the hall filling cube that engulfs even those who even try to walk into it.
In 3.5 that was was even addressed a second time.

Well, so much for my trying to cut 4e a break by pointing out 3e didn't address it, either.

Just one of the many things which never came up in Actual Play -- slimes were fairly rare, and the few we met were of the floor puddling ooze variety, easily leapt past.

Frankly, I find the 'no size modifier' for forced move to be more likely to be a source of contention and debate than the much rarer case of cubes in 10*10 halls.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

It would seem easier to me to just let the powers work as stated. As previously said, its easier just to stick with whats written than start an escalating war of "That doesn't make sense" in a fantasy role-playing game.

I remember very UNFONDLY an hour long argument we had long ago in 2ed about whether or not a levitating shield would push down on a pressure plate trap. That was 17 years ago. I don't remember it because it was cool and a great story.

Just as a human doesn't literally completely fill a 5X5 square (unless he is somehow mutantly extremely morbidly obese) a cube doesn't necessarily exactly fill a 10X10 square either.

DS

 

[pawsplay]

Why not just say he dives through it, and doesn't take any significant (abstract) hit point damage on the way through, if anyone objects?