Spider Climb

[Hadit]

I apologize if this is a question already discussed in previous posts I haven't seen...

Okay, this is becoming a minor controversy in my game.
3E Spider Climb states that "the subject can climb and travel on vertical surfaces or even traverse ceilings as well as a spider does".
In game terms...
Does this mean that the caster can crawl about pretty much anywhere he/she chooses, without recourse to climb skill rolls or whatever.
(The abstract perspective.)
Or...
Does this mean that the caster climbs about with a skill equal to that of a spider (monstrous), and most likely, medium-sized... which means a Climb skill roll of +12 (or around there) for any skill checks (a la crawling on the ceiling).
(The technical perspective.)

I would appreciate all opinions on this matter.
Thanks!

 

[LokiDR]

It means they have a movement rate of 15' over nearly any surface. Magic is magic, and changes skill checks where it says so. Otherwise, just use the mechanics in the spell.

 

[Belbarrus]

Its hard to say. The MM states that creatures with a climbing speed can climb at that speed and they get an automaticl +10 to Climb checks. However, climbing a ceiling is a DC around 80 (I think it is this high, from the Epic Level handbook). So, using the D&D rules, a spider would need a Climb skill of 50, add+10 for having a climb speed, then roll a 20 on a d20 to climb a ceiling (assuming I was correct about the DC of 80 from the Epic level book).
Where do the rules actually state that creatures with a climb speed can walk on ceilings? It doesnt work if you just go by the rules....

 

[Nephet]

Have you ever seen a spider climb on a ceiling? I have.

 

[Belbarrus]

Right, I have also seen creatures like spiders and flies walking on ceilings in real life.

Meanwhile, back to the game of D&D. Do the rules actually state that such creatures (in the game) can do this? If so, where are the rules stating this. As I mentioned, if you just go by what the rules say, creatures with a Climb skill (such as spiders) are only considered to have a +8 to Climb skill and the only source I know of that states a 'climb on ceiling' DC is the Epic book (and the DC is pretty high).

 

[LokiDR]

Don't bother with skill checks. It's magic, it just works. You stay on the surface without worrying about skill checks. No Epic handbook required, or even MM. The reference to a spider is just flavor text.

 

[Belbarrus]

Thanks LokiDR. Your response sums up the answer to the original question. I guess my question was derailing the topic. Sorry For the *spell* Spider Climb, you can traverse any surface like a (normal) spider. I was questioning the ability of other creatures, like Driders or Giant Spiders to walk on ceilings when, according to the rules, they cant. Thanks.

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

Just don't forget the specifics of the spell, ie bare hands and feet, which implies the climber needs all four limbs to navigate walls and ceilings.

Maitre D

 

[LokiDR]

That makes you wonder if they can take a limb off the wall/ceiling to do something useful - like attack or cast a spell.

 

[DreamChaser]

Keep in mind that there is no "Spider" in the MM only Monsterous Spider.

Scientifically speaking, a giant spider cannot climb across a ceiling. The only thing that allows a small spider to do it is surface tension. Larger spiders (even tarantulas) can't even climb walls all that well.

But who knows with magic.

The spell refers to a normal "fine" spider which can walk on walls and ceilings so the recipent of the spell can too.

DC