If an area spell, like force orb, targets "enemies"...

[Danceofmasks]

Note that #1 is my opinion, though. I can't see anything that defines enemy explicitly.

 

[Xorn]

If I ever have a player wishing to consider their ally as an enemy so they can hit them to exploit a rules mechanic, a bag of rats will plummet from the sky, striking them dead.

 

[coldpheasant]

If I ever have a player wishing to consider their ally as an enemy so they can hit them to exploit a rules mechanic, a bag of rats will plummet from the sky, striking them dead.

Use a dishwasher. A little anachronism here and there couldn't hurt... (except for the person unfortunate enough to be underneath it.)

 

[GoLu]

If I ever have a player wishing to consider their ally as an enemy so they can hit them to exploit a rules mechanic, a bag of rats will plummet from the sky, striking them dead.

I must learn the origin of that phrase.

edit:

Gah! Impossible! I fail.
It's all "there is this well known trick" and "from the internet" and "from some forum" and "in 3.0 you can do blah blah", but I've yet to see anyone credit anyone else with actually coming up with that idea.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I must learn the origin of that phrase.

edit:

Gah! Impossible! I fail.
It's all "there is this well known trick" and "from the internet" and "from some forum" and "in 3.0 you can do blah blah", but I've yet to see anyone credit anyone else with actually coming up with that idea.

At a guess, check the old WoTC charop forum. If they don't actually have the original post, they might have a reference in one of the various compendiums of brokenness. There may or may not be links to the old forum from the new one.

 

[DLichen]

I must learn the origin of that phrase.

edit:

Gah! Impossible! I fail.
It's all "there is this well known trick" and "from the internet" and "from some forum" and "in 3.0 you can do blah blah", but I've yet to see anyone credit anyone else with actually coming up with that idea.

Cleave + Whirlwind Attack

You whirlwind attack everything around you

You cleave whenever you kill something

You drop of a bag of rats, whirlwind to kill them all, and get an extra number of attacks equal to the number of rats you killed against an enemy.

 

[Danceofmasks]

Tee hee ... that stopped working in 3.5 ('cos can't cleave with whirlwind), but that didn't stop the rats .. oh no.
'cos they're scared rats, and they provoke AoOs, and I have combat reflexes ...

 

[GoLu]

Cleave + Whirlwind Attack

You whirlwind attack everything around you

You cleave whenever you kill something

You drop of a bag of rats, whirlwind to kill them all, and get an extra number of attacks equal to the number of rats you killed against an enemy.

Oh, I know the method. I just don't know its origin.

 

[IceFractal]

How is deciding to attack an ally for a good reason a "bag of rats" trick? Fighter gets frozen in ice which can be melted. Wizard decides slightly scorched Fighter is better than immobile Fighter surrounded by enemies. Wizard decides to target Fighter as part of fire spell. That's not a loophole, that's tactics.


There's a simple way to look at it:
Spells that hit all creatures in the area lack precision. You better not have an ally in the area, because it can't be aimed exactly.
Spells that hit just enemies are precision targetting - you can pick exactly who you want to zap. Think Horrid Wilting.

"But that's not RAW" - Yes it is, actually. Who determines who your allies are? You do. And that designation can and does change in response to events - a spy who decided to backstab you is not still going to be considered an ally just because he was previously. So when your attack is going to hit just enemies - decide who that is, for the purpose of that attack.


Incidentally, a funny thing about the Ally/Enemy definitions in the PHB - you are considered your own enemy. Why? Because you are not considered your own ally, and anyone not your ally is considered your enemy. Guess you have to take the RAW with a grain of salt.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Lets not derail into a bag of rats discussion, thanks!