Random Action Questions

[Larcen]

[i]Random Action[/i] Questions

My cleric is planning on making more use of this spell, now that he has enough 1st level spells that he can actually spare some for battle purposes and not just for heals.

However, I just know the questions below are going to come up when I start using it. So I would appreciate some advice.

First, here is the spell from the SRD to refresh everyone's memory:

~~~~~

Random Action
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Clr 1
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One living creature
Duration: 1 round
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
The enchanted creature is compelled to act randomly for 1 round. Rather than deciding its action for itself, the subject of the spell takes an action determined randomly on the following table:
1d8 Action
--- ------
1 Attack self (succeed on any roll other than a natural 1).
2 Attack nearest being (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject's "self").
3 Flee away from caster at top possible speed.
4 Drop anything held.
5 Stand motionless (as if stunned).
6 Do nothing but defend (total defense).
7 Speak (in the subject's native tongue, usually regarding surface thoughts) or make noises (if not capable of speech).
8 Attack caster with melee or ranged weapons (or close with caster if attacking is not possible).
Nothing can affect this die roll in any way. It is always entirely random.

~~~~~

Now the questions:

On a roll of a 1 or 2:
1) If a target of the spell gets multiple attacks (such as a high-level fighter, or a 2 weapon fighter), will he attack multiple times in one round?
2) Since #1 makes a reference to a natural 1, it can be assumed that the target will use a melee or ranged attack weapon. But what if the target is a spellcaster? Will he draw a dagger then, or still use a spell, or a wand, etc.? Remember, only result #8 above specifically mentions melee or ranged weapons. #1 and #2 don't.
3) If the d20 roll is high enough, is a critical hit possible? "Yes" seems very obvious, of course. But...
4) Will the target make the BEST use of his resources to attack himself? For instance, waste a charge on an item, use a weapon's command-activated special ability, use a special class ability like stunning, etc? If so, I shudder to think of anyone hit by this spell who happens to be carrying an Arrow of Slaying (or the like) marked for his own race.
5) On a roll of a 2, what is a "being"? Would non-sentients qualify, such as certain undead and mobile slimes, molds, plants, etc?

On a roll of a 3:
6a) If fleeing "away" from caster means leaping into a vat of acid or tall cliff or raging river, will the target do it? Assuming there was no other way to go.
6b) Can magic and special abilities be used for this? Teleport, Fly, Dimension Door, shape change, etc.

On a roll of a 4 or 7
7) Since the actions stated are free actions, is the target free to do anything else that round, or is that all they do for the full round duration? If that is all they do, can they at least defend themselves, like #6 states?

And finally one last question. It states nothing can affect this die roll. Is the Luck domain's ability an exception? This seems like the perfect time for "luck" to play a role.

I do realize that this is only a 1st level spell, so it should have some limits. What I am trying to determine here is what those limits are. Remember the spell does have a save and SR and runs for only 1 round.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

On a roll of 1 or 2:

1. and 2. You're right that only #8 makes reference to melee or ranged weapons. I would allow players to choose what means they use to attack (as long as the round is used efficiently--so multiple attacks would be used if possible). For NPCs, I would allow them to act similarly. If they had weapons in hand or wanted to use spells they could. If they didn't have weapons in hand, they could use an unarmed strike if it were advantageous. However, they couldn't drop a weapon in hand in order to do an unarmed strike or attack for subdual damage (by choice).

3. Yes, I would allow critical hits. . . .

4. I wouldn't require a character to use his "best resources" to attack himself. I would have him use the resources in hand. In the case of an arrow of slaying, the character isn't required to pick that arrow. . . .

5. I would rule that a "being" is any entity perceptible to the character as living or animate. So, golems, skeletons, oozes, etc. would all count.

On a roll of 3
6a. I wouldn't require the character to jump off the cliff or into a vat of acid. I might make them start climbing down the cliff or try to walk along the edge of the vat though.
6b. I'd let characters use magical retreat options if they were available.

7. The roll of 4 specifies: as if stunned. Treat the character as if it were stunned (not helpless) for the duration of the spell. The roll of 7 implies that the character spends the entire round speaking. They are not helpless. Nor are they stunned. I would treat them as if they had done nothing on their action--they keep their dex bonus, they don't become particularly vulnerable, but they spend their entire round babbling rather than attacking or running away.

8. Luck domain reroll? I'd give it to you as a DM. That doesn't really alter the roll (like a fate spinner's Spin abilities do). It just negates the roll and forces another roll which is still completely random. . . .

 

[twjensen]

Re: [i]Random Action[/i] Questions

1 Attack self (succeed on any roll other than a natural 1).
1) If a target of the spell gets multiple attacks (such as a high-level fighter, or a 2 weapon fighter), will he attack multiple times in one round?

No. It says "attack self." It does not say "use the full attack combat option to attack self." The implication is "use some kind of attack action on one's self" The most basic attack action is one die roll, one damage roll. On the other hand, if a PC is hit by the spell, I'll just quietly let the PC decide if he wants to do a full attack option on himself, cast a spell at himself or whatever, as long as what he does can be interpreted, technically, as an attack.

A PC with no weapon drawn and none readily available, a situation a spellcaster might be in, could choose between the wand in his hand or a spell, reading a damaging scroll, or using a damaging potion (alchemist's fire, for example).

For my NPCs, I'd just use whatever was most convenient.