Regarding Spider Climb

[Nail]

It just gives you a big bonus to your Climb skill so you can climb surfaces you ordinarily wouldn't be able to climb without a rope.

That's not what the spell says, though. Read the spell description.

 

[sniffles]

That's not what the spell says, though. Read the spell description.

I know, but that's what my GM is contending. We're all waving the spell description at him and pointing to the part that says you don't have to make Climb checks, and he's going back to the Climb skill and pointing to that.

 

[pallandrome]

There is no check involved. You are not using the climb skill. Why does the description under "Climb Skill" matter in the least?

 

[Nail]

I know, but that's why my GM is contending. We're all waving the spell description at him and pointing to the part that says you don't have to make Climb checks, and he's going back to the Climb skill and pointing to that.

Two things:

#1) Your DM is always right, and
#2) In this case, your DM is wrong.

Good luck!

 

[Gerion of Mercadia]

Ok, In general, the circumstance of fighting while climbing means that any successful attack has some chance to knock you off the wall. The guy with an actual climb speed can take 10 on the check, and has an automatic +8 bonus to it as well. If you don't have a climb speed - you have to make the check. I don't think you have to make a climb check to Move while under spider climb even while rushed or threatened - only if you get smacked.

 

[MarkB]

There is no check involved. You are not using the climb skill. Why does the description under "Climb Skill" matter in the least?

You are, quite clearly, climbing, and the obvious question here is "If spider climb eliminates the need for any Climb checks, why does the spell bother giving you a +8 bonus to Climb checks?"

The spell description says you don't need to make Climb checks to traverse vertical or horizontal surfaces, but that could reasonably be interpreted as meaning you are merely exempted from the Climb checks required for movement. Climb checks required for other reasons (such as if you take damage while climbing) may well still be required.

 

[gardengoth]

I could believe that the +8 to your Climb skill is there so you can much more easily catch hold of a wall you're falling past (and hang on whilst catching another character). The skill has other applications than movement.

 

[Felix]

I can't believe nobody has done this yet...

Spider Climb

The subject can climb and travel on vertical surfaces or even traverse ceilings as well as a spider does. The affected creature must have its hands free to climb in this manner. The subject gains a climb speed of 20 feet; furthermore, it need not make Climb checks to traverse a vertical or horizontal surface (even upside down). A spider climbing creature retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It cannot, however, use the run action while climbing.​

You are, quite clearly, climbing, and the obvious question here is "If spider climb eliminates the need for any Climb checks, why does the spell bother giving you a +8 bonus to Climb checks?"

Spiderclimb gives a +8 to Climb for things that are not a "vertical or horizontal surface (even upside down)". So what do adventurers use Climb checks for that arn't vertical or horizontal surfaces?

Rope comes to mind.

If you're traversing a vertical or horizontal surface, you don't need to make climb checks.

Climb Skill

Any time you take damage while climbing, make a Climb check against the DC of the slope or wall.​

Spiderclimb eliminates the need for a check when traversing a vertical or horizontal surface: the DC is eliminated; the DC remains the same for when you take damage: this DC should also be eliminated.

If you are climbing a rope and get hit while Spiderclimbing, then you make a Climb check against the DC, and you get a happy +8 bonus on that check.

 

[TheGogmagog]

Spiderclimb eliminates the need for a check when traversing a vertical or horizontal surface: the DC is eliminated; the DC remains the same for when you take damage: this DC should also be eliminated.

I disagree, just because the DC is the same, it doesn't mean it's the same check. The first is to traverse, the second is to keep from falling.

I certainly see how you are interpreting it, but don't claim there is no counter argument. At this point it is up to the DM's ruling and you live with it.

 

[Felix]

don't claim there is no counter argument

Good thing I didn't.

I only said how I think it should be ruled.