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<blockquote data-quote="Larcen" data-source="post: 92940" data-attributes="member: 2406"><p><strong>[PLAIN][i]Random Action[/i] Questions[/PLAIN]</strong></p><p></p><p>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. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /></p><p></p><p>However, I just know the questions below are going to come up when I start using it. So I would appreciate some advice.</p><p> </p><p>First, here is the spell from the SRD to refresh everyone's memory:</p><p></p><p>~~~~~</p><p></p><p>Random Action</p><p>Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]</p><p>Level: Clr 1</p><p>Components: V, S, DF</p><p>Casting Time: 1 action</p><p>Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)</p><p>Target: One living creature</p><p>Duration: 1 round</p><p>Saving Throw: Will negates</p><p>Spell Resistance: Yes</p><p>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:</p><p>1d8 Action</p><p>--- ------</p><p>1 Attack self (succeed on any roll other than a natural 1).</p><p>2 Attack nearest being (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject's "self").</p><p>3 Flee away from caster at top possible speed.</p><p>4 Drop anything held.</p><p>5 Stand motionless (as if stunned).</p><p>6 Do nothing but defend (total defense).</p><p>7 Speak (in the subject's native tongue, usually regarding surface thoughts) or make noises (if not capable of speech).</p><p>8 Attack caster with melee or ranged weapons (or close with caster if attacking is not possible).</p><p>Nothing can affect this die roll in any way. It is always entirely random.</p><p></p><p>~~~~~</p><p></p><p>Now the questions:</p><p></p><p><strong>On a roll of a 1 or 2:</strong></p><p>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? </p><p>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.</p><p>3) If the d20 roll is high enough, is a critical hit possible? "Yes" seems very obvious, of course. But...</p><p>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. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f631.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":eek:" title="Eek! :eek:" data-smilie="9"data-shortname=":eek:" /> </p><p>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? </p><p></p><p><strong>On a roll of a 3: </strong></p><p>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.</p><p>6b) Can magic and special abilities be used for this? Teleport, Fly, Dimension Door, shape change, etc.</p><p></p><p><strong>On a roll of a 4 or 7</strong></p><p>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?</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>Thanks in advance for any suggestions.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Larcen, post: 92940, member: 2406"] [b][PLAIN][i]Random Action[/i] Questions[/PLAIN][/b] 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. :D 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: [b]On a roll of a 1 or 2:[/b] 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. :eek: 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? [b]On a roll of a 3: [/b] 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. [b]On a roll of a 4 or 7[/b] 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. [/QUOTE]
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