How much weight can the Web spell support?

[DantesFury]

This is an excellent thread showing the increased versatility of an already good spell..... Are there any rulings on using a flying creature as one of the anchor points??? Devons example looks fair to me...

 

[apsuman]

This is an excellent thread showing the increased versatility of an already good spell..... Are there any rulings on using a flying creature as one of the anchor points??? Devons example looks fair to me...

I think the spirit of the spell wants a solid, stationary objects for it's anchor points.

I think a DM that interprets the spell this way is taking a fir (albeit conservative) point of view.

However, by the letter of the law, er, spell, it simply says solid objects, so I don't see why you could not choose npcs or PCs as anchor points.

That said, however, I do not know if you could target someone with the spell.

g!

 

[Christian]

I don't have my PH here, but according to the SRD:

These masses must be anchored to two or more solid and diametrically opposed points—floor and ceiling, opposite walls, etc.—or else the web collapses upon itself and disappears.

Clever, but not allowed by the spell description, I think ...

 

[apsuman]

I don't have my PH here, but according to the SRD:



Clever, but not allowed by the spell description, I think ...

I agree, on the "I think..." part.

I see no reason for not allowing it to use solid characters as anchor points. However, I see no mechanic for using it to target opposed characters as anchor points.

Using it to target an opponent as a anchor point is very creative I think.

You could cast it on the diametrically opposed object be the ground and the bottom of a flying carpet. Using it between two (still) golems would easily be allowed.

Really, the more I think about it the only thing that really bothers me about this idea is the moving-ness of the anchor object.

...developing...

g!

 

[Christian]

I think it's quite clear from the examples given in the spell that the word 'solid' in the description is not being used to mean 'object that is not liquid or gaseous' ... They're talking about opposing surfaces of items that are rigidly attached. Two walls or a ceiling and floor are parts of a single, inflexible structure; two well-rooted trees would meet the description, but if one was fallen, I don't think it would ...

 

[Devon]

There has been a related thread on the web spell here:
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19335

It might be of some use in our discussion.

- Devon

 

[apsuman]

From merriam-webster's collegiate dictionary

www.m-w.com

Main Entry: 1sol·id
Pronunciation: 'sä-l&d
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English solide, from Middle French, from Latin solidus; akin to Greek holos whole -- more at SAFE
Date: 14th century
1 a : being without an internal cavity <a solid ball of rubber> b (1) : printed with minimum space between lines (2) : joined without a hyphen <a solid compound> c : not interrupted by a break or opening <a solid wall>
2 : having, involving, or dealing with three dimensions or with solids <solid configuration>
3 a : of uniformly close and coherent texture : not loose or spongy : COMPACT b : possessing or characterized by the properties of a solid : neither gaseous nor liquid
4 : of good substantial quality or kind <solid comfort>: as a : SOUND <solid reasons> b : made firmly and well <solid furniture>
5 a : having no break or interruption <waited three solid hours> b : UNANIMOUS <had the solid support of the party> c : intimately friendly or associated <solid with the boss>
6 a : PRUDENT; also : well-established financially b : serious in purpose or character
7 : of one substance or character: as a : entirely of one metal or containing the minimum of alloy necessary to impart hardness <solid gold> b : of a single color

 

[Christian]

From merriam-webster's collegiate dictionary

www.m-w.com

4 : of good substantial quality or kind <solid comfort>: as a : SOUND <solid reasons> b : made firmly and well <solid furniture>

This seems (from the context) the usage of the spell description.

 

[Zhure]

From merriam-webster's collegiate dictionary
6 a : PRUDENT; also : well-established financially b : serious in purpose or character
7 : of one substance or character: as a : entirely of one metal or containing the minimum of alloy necessary to impart hardness <solid gold> b : of a single color

It certainly doesn't mean these two. I wouldn't think a web would anchor on the conservative banker standing under that tree over there and the elf wearing a solid green outfit sitting beside the bridge.

Greg

 

[mmu1]

Keep in mind that the DC20 strength check doesn't necessarily imply that you're breaking the strands - you might just be trying to get "unglued". In fact, I'd be inclined to think the web is a lot stronger than that, considering that there's no theoretical limit (aside from the spell's 40' diameter) on the creature you can net with it... DC 20 is a check any average man can make given enough time - which would make it a lot weaker than a good rope. If it can, at least in theory, hold a dragon, it should have no problems holding up a bridge.

So if you wanted to apply that weight formula to it, you'd need to base it off of STR 10 rather than 20, because STR 10 will, given enough time (around 2 minutes) break the web - which'll really bring the numbers down some.