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Ray-based spells - hit targets beyond?

pvandyck

First Post
Does a ray-based spell that misses it's target continue on and have a chance of hitting a different target beyond the one you were aiming at?

In a recent combat, the DM ruled that the Searing Light that we where casting (ranged touch attack) at a monk-like undead monster (high touch AC) would continue on, and have a chance of hitting the big, dumb fighter (from our group, touch AC of, like, 12) on the other side.

Today, I was thinking about magic-users and such with Point Blank Shot and other such feats that let them be good with ray-spells. An archer with all those feats doesn't have to worry about hitting the guy BEHIND the guy he's aiming at. Why should a spellcaster?

Finally, how would the mechanic work? Using the same roll to hit the fighter as to hit the monk-like undead doesn't seem right. (a nice, high roll that still misses the monk-thing is assured to hit the fighter). Using another roll for each in the path of the searing light might be the way to do it, but that kinda turns it into an area effect spell. Also, you can't count the monk-thing as cover, cause, by the rules for hitting cover, the cover had a high enough dex/dodge to get out of the way.

pvandyck
 

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There are no core rules for hitting targets other than the one you're aiming at, with the exception of the rule for hitting cover.
 


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