Prismatic Walls

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Just got to thinking: What happens if you try and move through a Prismatic Wall?

I know it's not a good idea, but sometimes the alternatives might be worse...

Assume you have no SR.

1) Am I right in thinking you have to make each saving throw in order. Do you keep going even if you fail one of the (non fatal) ones?

2) If you make all 7, have you now passed through the wall?

3) What about if you fail some of the non fatal stuff, but make the others.

4) Any other thoughts?

 

[dcollins]

1A) You must make each saving throw in order. (The prismatic sphere text is a bit more clearly written, saying "Other creatures who attempt to attack you or pass through suffer the effects of each color, one at a time").

1B) My ruling is that since the wall is flat (no depth), passing through the wall immediately takes you through all colors (i.e., no partial move through and withdraw).

2) Yes, if you pass all 7 colors you're on the other side.

3) Due to how I read 1B above, I'd have to say that even if you're killed or petrified earlier you still get effected by the remaining colors. Other DMs could reasonably disagree with that.

 

[Infiniti2000]

The wall can be placed in the center of squares (alluded to being possible per the spell description) or in between squares (normal). If it's in between squares, you pass through it and end up on the other side (possibly dead, possibly as a statue, etc.). If its in the center of a square, you may end up stay "in the wall" and be subject to its effects round after round, undoubtedly winding up dead, possibly as a destroyed statue.

So,
1. Yes.
2. See above.
3. See above.
4. Making the save vs. blue, but failing vs. violet (and surviving up to that point) becomes obvious. Note that if you die before reaching violet, you are technically an object (a corpse) and violet would destroy your body and items.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Thanks for that guys!

Just couldn't quite work out what should happen...

That body = object, violet destroys it is really nasty - definitely adds an extra reason not to try running through!

 

[Wonko the Sane]

My favorite use of this spell was when the PC wizard cast a prismatic wall of his own across a cavern to divide the battle.

The drow wizard then cast another of his own, right beside the first and parallel to it.

There was a very surprised PC wizard when he tried to walk through his wall and got zapped by the drow's. Muhahaha.