Line of Sight to Target Allies

[kmdietri]

Did a search, couldn't find anything.

Do you need line of sight to an ally to target them with a power, such as a healing or any other power?

Thanks

 

[Mort_Q]

Powers have a range... so given that... I suspect you need at least line of effect.

Do you have a specific power in mind? Situation? Look in the PH under targetting.

 

[kmdietri]

The Black Dragon power Cloud of Darkness, blocks line of sight for everyone but the dragon, similar to how the Drow darkness works.

Wondering if you could target an ally you can't see with a heal or other power.

Targeting all seems to be focused on enemies where an attack roll is involved and guessing the square.

 

[1of3]

It depends on the type of power. The Words are all Close Bursts. "Close" powers do not require line of sight, but do require line of effect.

Ranged powers do require line of sight and line of effect.

 

[frankthedm]

Did a search, couldn't find anything.

Do you need line of sight to an ally to target them with a power, such as a healing or any other power?

Is there a reason why it would be different than for targeting enemies?

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

Is there a reason why it would be different than for targeting enemies?

This was brought up by a friend of mine. I asked him the same question and the answer I got back was "Well, you need to make an attack roll against enemies and not being able to see them makes it more likely that you'll miss. You don't have the same disadvantage against allies. It seems stupid to me that people can turn invisible and have no negatives at all because of it."

The OP might not have the same reasoning, but that's what I got.

 

[DracoSuave]

No attack type inherently requires line of sight. Lacking line of sight is called 'total concealment.' Area attacks require line of effect to the origin square.

All attacks require line of effect from the origin square.

Melee and Ranged attacks have an origin square of the user of the power. (exception: Beast and Spirit powers have an origin square of the respective companion.)

Close bursts have an origin square within your space. Close blasts have an origin square adjacent to your space.

Area attacks all have an origin square at a given range, that you must have line of effect to but not line of sight. So, yes, you can fireball into obscuring terrain.


EDIT: And, as you should know, 'Attack type' doesn't necessarily mean 'only attacks follow this rule.' 'Attack type' is the term for M/R/C/A. Powers that target allies follow the same rules as above.

Do note, however, it is possible for an ally to be hidden from you, and therefore in order to target him you have to target the square you think he is in. Otherwise, as no attack roll is needed for powers like Inspiring Word, the penalty from total concealment never applies.

And, in a fluff explanation:

You don't need to see your buddy to inspire him to keep fighting.

 

[Benlo]

This would come in handy to know for a ranger/cleric who fires needles out of a crossbow for acupuncture.

 

[DracoSuave]

This would come in handy to know for a ranger/cleric who fires needles out of a crossbow for acupuncture.

So an artificer then?