PHB2 alternate class feature for the evoker

[klofft]

I have two questions in regard to the PHB2 Immediate Magic - Counterfire ability for the evoker (PHB2 p. 70).

1) Would a dragon's breath weapon constitute a "ranged attack"?

2) The damage is "1d6 points of damage per 3 wizard levels." So when does it become 2d6 damage: at Wizard 4 or Wizard 6? If it is not until level 6 (which makes sense to me), it seems then that the attack would do NO damage at level 1 or 2. Yes or no?

Thanks!
C

 

[RigaMortus2]

I have two questions in regard to the PHB2 Immediate Magic - Counterfire ability for the evoker (PHB2 p. 70).

1) Would a dragon's breath weapon constitute a "ranged attack"?

I don't beleive so. A ranged attack requires a ranged attack roll. The only rolls involved in dragon's breath is your saving through and it's damage (and quite possibly rolling up a new character )

2) The damage is "1d6 points of damage per 3 wizard levels." So when does it become 2d6 damage: at Wizard 4 or Wizard 6? If it is not until level 6 (which makes sense to me), it seems then that the attack would do NO damage at level 1 or 2. Yes or no?

Thanks!
C

Assuming you get this ability at level 1, I beleive the first increase will be at 4th level.
Lvls 1-3 = 1d6 damage
Lvls 4-6 = 2d6 damage
etc.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Note that the PHII calls it both a spell-like ability and an extraordinary ability. I'd keep it as a spell-like ability since they go through all that trouble of identify caster level and such.

Because you gain it at first level, I'd go with RigaMortus2's interpretation of damage dice.

As for "ranged attack" this is very open to interpretation. Using the concept of requiring an attack roll is reasonable, but IMO doesn't really make sense. I'd therefore use any attack at range that would (for example) negate invisibility.

One other thing, I would also require that this ability function in response to the ranged attack, and not allow it to interrupt the attack.

 

[Presto2112]

I don't beleive so. A ranged attack requires a ranged attack roll. The only rolls involved in dragon's breath is your saving through and it's damage (and quite possibly rolling up a new character )

Since dragon breath is usually in the form of either a line or a cone, I'd consider it more of an area attack than a ranged attack.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Note that the PHII calls it both a spell-like ability and an extraordinary ability. I'd keep it as a spell-like ability since they go through all that trouble of identify caster level and such.

Because you gain it at first level, I'd go with RigaMortus2's interpretation of damage dice.

As for "ranged attack" this is very open to interpretation. Using the concept of requiring an attack roll is reasonable, but IMO doesn't really make sense. I'd therefore use any attack at range that would (for example) negate invisibility.

One other thing, I would also require that this ability function in response to the ranged attack, and not allow it to interrupt the attack.

But then you have to redefine "ranged attack" or what it means to make an attack from "range". When you say "attack at range", does this mean any attack where you are not adjacent to the opponent? Would a Reach Weapon be considered an attack at range? What about a Whip? They clearly are not ranged weapons (but we aren't talking about ranged weapons anyway), but they are clearly attacks from range. Just as Dragon Breath isn't a ranged weapon, but is an attack you can do at range...

 

[EyeontheMountain]

One other thing, I would also require that this ability function in response to the ranged attack, and not allow it to interrupt the attack.

The ability states that clearly.