Shatter : Crystalline Creature?

[Shin Okada]

Shatter spell inflicts good amount of damages against "crystalline creatures". But what kind of creatures are considered to be "crystalline"?

Some constructs made of crystal or jams can be obvious. But how about things made of metal? Metal are usually crystalline. Is this spell effective against, say, an animated object made of metal?

 

[Doctor Bomb]

That depends on the DM.

Targeted against a crystalline creature (of any weight), shatter deals 1d6 points of sonic damage per caster level (maximum 10d6), with a Fortitude save for half damage.
Arcane Material Component: A chip of mica.

If you are asking for advice on adjudicating the spell, yes, I would say that a mostly metal construct would ring like a bell, and probably crack nicely, but wouldn't explode like a nicely tuned crystal - see Shattersteel spell for that.

However, noticing the lack of clarity and the mica (a pretty fine crystalline structure) as a spell component, I would say a Crystalline creature would be any creature from the plane of Earth. For other creatures that might be considered crystalline, such as a stone golem, I would give it a lesser effect, like taking the damage from 1d6's to 1d4's, or give the subject "iffy" creature a +2 circumstance bonus to it's Fort Save.

 

[Jdvn1]

If I'm not mistaken, metal is by definition crystalline. Being crystalline has to do with how the molecules combine with each other, and metals never do this.

RAW could say otherwise, though.

Edit: Actually, looks like I'm mistaken. Metals are usually some form or crystalline form.

 

[the Jester]

I would never have even thought to apply shatter to a metal object.

Ceramics, glass, gems, etc- those are what I think of when I think of crystalline.

So a crysmal, possibly an earth elemental, a stained glass golem, those glassy mirror-plane outsiders from the plane of mirrors, ice or snow creatures, etc. would be what I would allow to be targeted by it. Other items would have to fall under the 'any single item' target use of the spell.

 

[reanjr]

But how about things made of metal? Metal are usually crystalline. Is this spell effective against, say, an animated object made of metal?

It's been a while since chemistry, but I don't think most metals are naturally found in a crystalline state. It is something that can be synthesised, but I don't believe you would find it much.

[edit] Apparently Jdvn1 found evidence to the contrary? I'd like to know where...

 

[Shin Okada]

Well, as it seems that there is no official clarification for it, your thoughts on adjudication are welcomed.

By the way, one of the problem is that usually glasses are not "crystalline" from scientific point of vies.

 

[Jdvn1]

It's been a while since chemistry, but I don't think most metals are naturally found in a crystalline state. It is something that can be synthesised, but I don't believe you would find it much.

[edit] Apparently Jdvn1 found evidence to the contrary? I'd like to know where...

Some crystalline metals are synthesized (usually for large crystals I think), but most are in some sort of crystalline form.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_structure

I only skimmed through them, but looks like most metals are crystals.

 

[Jdvn1]

Well, as it seems that there is no official clarification for it, your thoughts on adjudication are welcomed.

... And I can't access the glossary for some reason. Anyone know if they define "crystalline"? I think there are some psionic creatures it'd obviously affect but it'd be nice to have a definition. Since I dont' have one, though, and the SRD says:

Used as an area attack, shatter destroys nonmagical objects of crystal, glass, ceramic, or porcelain.

Then I'd probably rule that any creature made of those materials would be damaged.

By the way, one of the problem is that usually glasses are not "crystalline" from scientific point of vies.

Yeah, glass is technically a liquid. Weird.

 

[jester47]

If you read the description for shatter:

Shatter creates a loud, ringing noise that breaks brittle, nonmagical objects; sunders a single solid, nonmagical object; or damages a crystalline creature.

Used as an area attack, shatter destroys nonmagical objects of crystal, glass, ceramic, or porcelain. All such objects within a 5-foot radius of the point of origin are smashed into dozens of pieces by the spell. Objects weighing more than 1 pound per your level are not affected, but all other objects of the appropriate composition are shattered.

Alternatively, you can target shatter against a single solid object, regardless of composition, weighing up to 10 pounds per caster level. Targeted against a crystalline creature (of any weight), shatter deals 1d6 points of sonic damage per caster level (maximum 10d6), with a Fortitude save for half damage.

Arcane Material Component
A chip of mica.

I would rule that if the creature is made of solid stuff (not flesh, or wet wood) than you can use shatter. Seems that fleshy and fiberous things are not included, so I would say you can shatter metal and stone, but not wood or rope.

This was a favorite of mine. My Fighter Mage would cast shatter on the opponents weapons and then move in for the subdual/kill. If shatter did not work, then he would just use improved disarm.

Aaron.

 

[Jdvn1]

Hm, from the description, a strict reading would seem to imply that you can't shatter metal and rock. To me, at least.

And now that you mention it, it might be broken if it did.