Spell area of effects question

[Trainz]

Some spells (Mass hold monster, Slow, Mass heal...) have an area of effect such as "One or more creatures, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart" or somesuch (Player's Handbook p. 176).

Does this mean that the caster has absolutely no control wether friend or foe is affected/ benifits from the spell ?

 

[AGGEMAM]

Some spells (Mass hold monster, Slow, Mass heal...) have an area of effect such as "One or more creatures, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart" or somesuch (Player's Handbook p. 176).

That's not quite true. The mention spells have a targets. A spell can have either a target, an area or an effect but only one of those. As always when nothing else is specified with targets, you determine which are affected as long as no two are more than 30 feet apart.

 

[Hypersmurf]

There are spells that have an Area defined in terms of creatures - Sleep, Bless, etc - and in those cases, the caster has no control over which creatures are affected.

But as noted, any spell with a Target entry is under the caster's control.

Another important difference is that you cannot target someone you can't see or touch... but an area spell will still get them.

-Hyp.

 

[Trainz]

Thanks !

Can you guys point me to a page number where that is specified (that the CASTER determines which targets are affected) ?

 

[Wolf72]

Thanks !

Can you guys point me to a page number where that is specified (that the CASTER determines which targets are affected) ?

From the SRD: (bold face emphasis mine, hopefully highlighted the right part)

Target or Targets: Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell.

If the target of a spell is yourself (the spell description has a line that reads Target: You), you do not receive a saving throw, and spell resistance does not apply. The Saving Throw and Spell Resistance lines are omitted from such spells.

Some spells restrict you to willing targets only. Declaring yourself as a willing target is something that can be done at any time (even if you’re flat-footed or it isn’t your turn). Unconscious creatures are automatically considered willing, but a character who is conscious but immobile or helpless (such as one who is bound, cowering, grappling, paralyzed, pinned, or stunned) is not automatically willing.

Some spells allow you to redirect the effect to new targets or areas after you cast the spell. Redirecting a spell is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

http://geocities.com/sovelior/srd/home.html

 

[shilsen]

Thanks !

Can you guys point me to a page number where that is specified (that the CASTER determines which targets are affected) ?

3.5 PHB, pg.175 (same thing which Wolf72 posted above).

 

[Trainz]

Thanks guys.

Of course, that is pretty much how we viewed it, but some brain fart a few games back brought it up, and we couldn't find it in the books, which started some weird speculations...