How 10' spells like Prismatic Sphere work for Colossals (like Dragons)

[Saladrex]

Hi all,

This is a big doubt I have about the rules: Assume a colossal Gold Dragon (40'x80') casting a 10' radius spell, like prismatic sphere for example.

Does this 10' count from:
1- the dragons' geometrical center? [then the prismatic sphere wouldn't cover even his stomach]
2- from the dragon skin? [making a prismatic "sphere" of 60'x100']

I understand the rules points to the first option above, but this just don't match the dragon's power, actually it makes large (or above) casters more vulnerable, because some defense spells wouldn't cover the caster's entire body...

If you guys tend to think the rules points to the second option, why does the Anti magic field description (PHB page 175) say:
"Note: Should you be larger than the area enclosed by the barrier, any part of your person that lies outside the barrier is unaffected by the field"

??

 

[Henrix]

Ouch, that's a tough one.

But I'd say that the 9th level spell Prismatic Sphere is of very little use to the average colossal gold dragon.

What he needs is perhaps a similar, 11th level, spell.

 

[hong]

The dragon would basically need a multiply-enlarged prismatic sphere to avoid getting itself.

 

[Crothian]

Personally, even though it's not by the rules, I'd allow it to cover the whole Dragon. It'sa 9th level spell and a Dragon. THey should get a few extra advantages.

 

[Henrix]

Well, I wouldn't like it to be said that I was denying the great (sorry, colossal) old wyrm any advantages*, but I would have him choose some more appropriate 9th level spell.
Like Time Stop. A golden great wyrm could have a lot of fun in 1d4+1 rounds.


* That might get my into trouble with B.A.D.D.

 

[Gromm]

Actually thats a good question for almost any spell in the game.
I'd suggest emailing it to The Sage, but if somethings not actually written in the rules he has a habit of not replying to it.
Its a very important question. Magic circles, all emenations, there are so many spells that don't work for larger casters, or worse yet have strange effects (like partial coverage for some part of a beings body).
It seems to me personally that being big shouldn't make spells effect parts of your body, it just doesn't seem to make sense- even if the books seem to favor it.

 

[smetzger]

The Dragon would need to use Sculpt Spell or Widen Spell in order to allow him to be completly inside the area of the spell.

 

[IceBear]

I often wonder when I read the rule books how many issues are caused by the fact that writers are providing rules from the player's point of view. Most players end up taking characters that are Medium (or smaller) humanoids that can't fly. Thus, the rules are written from that perspective. Is it, then, intentional that larger creatures can't benefit from some standard spells or is it simply some grammatic oversight on the writers' part based on the assumed target users of the spells?

Anyway, since anti-magic shell seems to specifically state otherwise, I guess it's the intent that it's only a 10ft radius regardless of size.

Personally, I think I would allow the spell to protect the entire being (larger creature can harness more magical energy?) or else you end up with many spells that are next to useless to larger creatures.

IceBear

 

[kreynolds]

Is it, then, intentional that larger creatures can't benefit from some standard spells or is it simply some grammatic oversight on the writers' part based on the assumed target users of the spells?

I believe it was intentional. A 10' spell helps limit that Huge Ogre Wizard by making him metamagic the hell out of a spell before he can even use it on himself. Now I'm sure that I'll get the argument of "But he's a wizard! You're taking away all of his power!" and in response to that, I have "But he's a frickin' Ogre! And a Huge one at that!" Works out pretty well, I think.

 

[IceBear]

I'm not really in the mood to argue this. I just think that there are a lot of spells that are unfair to creatures that occupy more than 1 5ft square, and I believe that it's because they were written for a human wizard in mind

Anyway, nothing to get worked up over, I really hadn't thought about it before now and don't really care one way or the other. I was just making an observation that many debates on here (Expeditious Retreat being a recent one) are because the language used seems to assumes a humanoid that can't fly (again, maybe the language used throughout the books is all intentional and I'm offbase here).

Here's a question. Let's say the same colossal dragon has cast stoneskin on himself and then casts major globe of invunerability (which covers only a part of his head and neck). Is the rest of him outside of the globe still protected by stoneskin?

Man - this gets messy.

IceBear