Spectral Hand and DMs decision.

[Ysgarran]

I was really annoyed with a DMs decision last night and thought I would check if I'm off base here or not.

A 12th cleric/3 Wizard had a Spectral Hand spell going. The enemy cleric/wizard moved that hand past all of the characters in the party. The DM ruled that only those characters who made spellcraft checks could make attacks of opportunity against the spectral hand. He also gave the spectral hand a hide roll of d20.

So the hand gets to the very back of the party where the wizard is who then gets slapped with a maximized 'inflict critical wounds'. The 10th level wizard who had 40 hit points is down with -4 hit points.

later,
Ysgarran.

p.s.
If I disagree with a ruling I will state my opinion to the DM but I never argue the point at the table. I would always rather get on with the game rather than spend time arguing about the rules.

 

[Pax]

Your GM was technically and factually incorrect.

It counts as a creature with 1d4hp, AC 22+IntMod, and Incorporeal, with Improved Evasion.

That's it.

 

[Stalker0]

Pax is right, its fairly tough to hit, but gets no special bonuses when moving around others.

 

[Schmoe]

Of course, there is nothing to prevent the hand from moving through the floor, as it is incorporeal, so while technically you could have gotten an attack of opportunity in that particular circumstance, realistically you should almost never receive an attack of opportunity against a Spectral Hand.

 

[AuraSeer]

The FAQ agrees with your DM. It says:

Mobile spell effects, even ones that can be attacked as though they were creatures, do not trigger attacks of opportunity when they act or move unless their descriptions say they do.

It's on page 45 of the main FAQ, under a question about the Bigby's Hands.