Of Elementals & Stink Clouds

[Nifft]

Always a fort save, you say?

Curses! Thanks, -- N

 

[Hypersmurf]

Same thing for Stunning -- it's always a Fort save, and doesn't apply to objects. Still, undead have it as one of the specific effects they ignore.

Power Word Stun has no save. Of course, it's Mind-Affecting.

Non-evil undead would be susceptible to the sickened effect of Unholy Blight. If there were a nausea-inducing effect with no Fortitude save, undead would be subject to that as well.

(Note that a swarm, for example, can induce Nausea with its Distraction [Ex] ability. It's a Fort save, so undead are immune, but I can certainly see Elementals being subject to Distraction [Ex] despite not having a stomach!)

-Hyp.

 

[Nifft]

Power Word Stun has no save. Of course, it's Mind-Affecting.

You're right -- and a bit late.

(Note that a swarm, for example, can induce Nausea with its Distraction [Ex] ability. It's a Fort save, so undead are immune, but I can certainly see Elementals being subject to Distraction [Ex] despite not having a stomach!)

"Experiencing stomach distress." Could be brushed off as flavor-text, but the condition is named Nauseated. Since the SRD spells out which types eat and which ones don't, "stomach" could be interpreted to have some actual rules meaning.

- - -

Anyway, to the OP: the most important thing is to be consistent. The PCs will be able to summon elements soon enough, and a stinking cloud + some summoned elements = good tactics if the elementals are immune.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Stalker0]

Elementals aren't immune to nausea, and there are cloud spells where you don't have to breathe to be effective. I understand your ruling, but I think the rules side with the mage on this one.

 

[Hypersmurf]

"Experiencing stomach distress." Could be brushed off as flavor-text, but the condition is named Nauseated.

And can be caused by Distraction.

-Hyp.

 

[Nifft]

And can be caused by Distraction.

Which answers the poison issue (in general), but not the stomach issue.

-- N

 

[frankthedm]

I agree with the OP's ruling, though I also say the caster deserves a do over. Treating the spell as a poision is quite reasonable, but that should be called out early on. And ought to be mentioned when the caster is taking the stinking cloud spell.

I like house rules, i really do, I just dislike them ambushing me.

 

[IanB]

Your PCs cast a spell that is dispersed by high winds on an air elemental? I would personally stop their argument right there, probably.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Which answers the poison issue (in general), but not the stomach issue.

The nauseated condition causes you to experience stomach distress.

If you don't have a stomach, it'll be a new experience for you!

-Hyp.

 

[moritheil]

Your PCs cast a spell that is dispersed by high winds on an air elemental? I would personally stop their argument right there, probably.

Yeah, that strikes me as a little odd.