Sorcerous Blade Channeling and basic melee attacks

[Hazard_53188]

The Sorcerous Blade Channeling feat states:

"When you use any ranged sorcerer attack power through a dagger, you can use the power as a melee attack. If you do so, the power’s range equals your melee reach."

Does this allow you to use a power such as Acid Orb or Dragonfrost which can be used as a ranged basic attack as a melee basic attack?

 

[Ryujin]

I would say that's a reasonable interpretation, since the feat essentially only changes the range of the ability used.

 

[brehobit]

I've ruled "no" in a one-shot I ran, but I could see it either way.

 

[Mort_Q]

At first glance, I'd say by RAW, no.... though I can't say that it's too overly powerful...

 

[Garthanos]

Be aware that ruling that way really reduces the incentive for a sorceror to take the other feat reaper's touch which explicitly says that you can...

My favorite visualization for Reaper's touch comes from a recent Doctor Strange Cartoon - The sorcerors were able to conjure weapons, though not all of them did some seemed to be using their fists with runes glowing around them -- virtually perfect Reaper's touch. You could almost picture the Sorcerous Blade Channeling as somebody grabbing a dagger and it growing into a big weapon dripping with energy that looked like the power they are using... green and black sizzling and popping energy for acid orb --- would be exactly what Mordo used.

 

[cmbarona]

Another vote for no. Of course, something could trigger a "basic attack" or "ranged basic attack" which you could use at a melee range with this feat... but that still doesn't make it a "melee basic attack".

 

[Mentat55]

A "melee basic attack" is a specific rules term. Sorcerous Blade Channeling just lets you change the range of your attack to "Melee" instead of "Ranged". It does not turn a ranged basic attack into a melee basic attack.

 

[DracoSuave]

Changing the attack-type of Acid Orb will never change the text 'Special: This power can be used as a ranged basic attack.'

That said, there's nothing stopping you from using it as a melee power when you are granted a free ranged basic attack; you could avoid OAs this way.

 

[theshard]

A "melee basic attack" is a specific rules term. Sorcerous Blade Channeling just lets you change the range of your attack to "Melee" instead of "Ranged". It does not turn a ranged basic attack into a melee basic attack.

This is the correct translation of it. It does not allow it.

However, as many have said, if your DM chooses to allow it, it is not overtly overpowered.

 

[Flipguarder]

I'll answer with a question of my own. Does it say basic anywhere in the feat?

that's your answer.