Quick Duskblade question

[Gregor]

Hey all,

Here is a really quick question regarding the Duskblade (PH2):

I am a little unclear about Arcane Channeling. When you are performing an arcane channeling (i.e. casting a spell through your weapon), do you have to roll both the attack roll for the melee attack and the touch attach for the spell? I dont have my PH2 handy, but I recall it saying something like: if the melee attack hit successfully, and the attack deals damage normally; then the effect of the spell is resolved normally. Does that mean that if I am performing the channel in which I am casting shocking grasp, and I attack with my sword and the sword hits and deals damage, then I also roll a touch attack for the shocking grasp or I just deal the spell damage?

I may be over or under thinking this...

Thanks.

 

[Victim]

You just deal the damage; hitting the target with your weapon replaces the touch attack.

 

[rgard]

You just deal the damage; hitting the target with your weapon replaces the touch attack.

Agreed, but there is another situation. Say your spell is a touch attack...you miss the target's full ac, but do hit his touch. Does the spell hit the target, but you do no weapon damage?

I would say yes.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[MarkB]

No. When arcane channeling, you are choosing to direct the spell through the weapon when it does damage. As such, the spell is only effective if the weapon hits on a normal attack, not a touch attack.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Agreed. When you are arcane channeling you are using the sword to strike. If the sword hits, your spell goes off and does the damage. If you miss, the spell does not go off. It need not be any more complex than that, really.

 

[Gregor]

Thanks for the replies.

cheers,