Is there errata for the Nightmare spell PHB p.232

[JacktheRabbit]

What do you mean?

From all the responses I've read it would seem that people don't think line of effect applies to this spell. How does this spell ignore the line of effect rules?

 

[Hypersmurf]

From all the responses I've read it would seem that people don't think line of effect applies to this spell. How does this spell ignore the line of effect rules?

Worse - by the wording, you don't just need a line of effect, you need a line of sight.

The target is "one living creature".

P148 tells us that for a targeted spell "you must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target".

However...

... Sending, for example, has a target of "one creature". And while it will work acorss planes, even (sometimes), the spell doesn't explicitly state that the normal targetting rules don't apply.

A spell that will let you send a message to someone, wherever they are, even on another plane... as long as you can see them... seems sort of pointless. By the rules, it's how it reads. Does it make sense? Up for debate.

Same goes with Nightmare, I think. If you need a line of sight, then you can see whether or not the person is asleep. No need for this sense sleep, trance, etc rigmarole.

"Range : Unlimited" says it can reach anywhere on the same plane of existence. I'd be inclined to interept that liberally when it comes to line of effect.

-Hyp.

 

[Hypersmurf]

What do you mean?

PHB p150.

"A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is cancelled by a solid barrier. You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you wish to cast a spell on."

-Hyp.

 

[Tar-Edhel]

PHB p150.

"A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is cancelled by a solid barrier. You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you wish to cast a spell on."

-Hyp.

I think the spell was intended to work as scrying does... No line of effect for a scry spell.

Or else, this spell is useless...

 

[Hypersmurf]

I think the spell was intended to work as scrying does... No line of effect for a scry spell.

Scry is "Range : See Text", like, say, Clairaudience or Sending. They seem to have used this for situations that ignore line of effect.

A better comparison is Arcane Eye, range unlimited. How do you rule this one?

Can someone cast an Arcane Eye and have the sensor appear in their bedroom on the other side of the planet? Or can they only create the sensor in a spot they have a line of effect to, and then move it to their bedroom on the other side of the planet (at 300 feet per minute)?

-Hyp.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

I would suggest the latter.

I would also rule that Nightmare is a spell one can cast while scrying on someone.

Scry is "Range : See Text", like, say, Clairaudience or Sending. They seem to have used this for situations that ignore line of effect.

A better comparison is Arcane Eye, range unlimited. How do you rule this one?

Can someone cast an Arcane Eye and have the sensor appear in their bedroom on the other side of the planet? Or can they only create the sensor in a spot they have a line of effect to, and then move it to their bedroom on the other side of the planet (at 300 feet per minute)?

-Hyp.

 

[Sevrin]

You need to have line of effect to your target. No target is listed for arcane eye so line off effect does not apply. (I think)

 

[Hypersmurf]

No target is listed for arcane eye so line off effect does not apply. (I think)

You think wrong

"You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you cast a spell on or to any space in which you wish to create an effect (such as summoning a monster)."

Arcane Eye is "Effect : Magical Sensor. You create a magical sensor that sends you information."

-Hyp.

 

[IceBear]

BTW - in my earlier posts I wasn't making light of the orginal poster's problem. I had actually mistaken Protection from Evil's power. I knew it blocked mental control and since this spell was Mind Affecting and Evil I thought it would work. But then I reread the DNDFAQ and the SRD and saw that PfE would not work (and thus, neither would hallow).

Still, I read the spell and see it as being more of a nuisance in most circumstances. Yes, an arcane caster alone in enemy territory is in big trouble. But, in other cases, he simply needs to spend some time and money getting the right protections, and it appears that a simple Rope Trick spell will protect him.

IceBear

 

[Starfox]

Erotic nightmares... your Dm is kinky

Well, that was my interpretation. But then again, the DMs presentation of this sorceress was certainly as a vamp of the worst kind - she also somehow drained one of our party members of two points of Con during that party. Maybe she's a vampire, but she can go about by day. We'll see next week.

How long did it take you to realize you were under magical attack?

I never realized. She didn't keep it up all that long. Actually, she stopped doing it at about the same time the cannon from our mercenary company started rolling into town. . .