spiritual weapon - am I interpeting this right?

[francisca]

Please help me settle a dispute.

OK, so the spell description for Spitual Weapon says that the weapon returns to your side if you stop directing it. The definition of "direct a spell" says directing a spell is a move action.

So, if a Cleric spends his move action directing the spiritual weapon, he still gets his normal attack routine, correct?

 

[UltimaGabe]

Please help me settle a dispute.

OK, so the spell description for Spitual Weapon says that the weapon returns to your side if you stop directing it. The definition of "direct a spell" says directing a spell is a move action.

So, if a Cleric spends his move action directing the spiritual weapon, he still gets his normal attack routine, correct?

Yes. However, remember- if I'm not mistaken, once you command it, it continues to attack the same target until that target dies or you command it otherwise. So you'd only have to command it once.

 

[francisca]

Yes. However, remember- if I'm not mistaken, once you command it, it continues to attack the same target until that target dies or you command it otherwise. So you'd only have to command it once.

Yeah, you're right. I was reading this part of the description (from the SRD, which is the same as the PHB):

If the weapon goes beyond the spell range, if it goes out of your sight, or if you are not directing it, the weapon returns to you and hovers.

Notice the "if you are not directing it". I took that to mean you must actively direct it each round.

But it also says:

A weapon made of pure force springs into existence and attacks opponents at a distance, as you direct it, dealing 1d8 force damage........It strikes the opponent you designate, starting with one attack in the round the spell is cast and continuing each round thereafter on your turn.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Camarath]

OK, so the spell description for Spitual Weapon says that the weapon returns to your side if you stop directing it. The definition of "direct a spell" says directing a spell is a move action.

I think this quote "Each round after the first, you can use a move action to redirect the weapon to a new target. If you do not, the weapon continues to attack the previous round’s target." makes it pretty clear that the caster does not have to spend a move action every round for the spell to attack.

So, if a Cleric spends his move action directing the spiritual weapon, he still gets his normal attack routine, correct?

Yes if by normal attack routine you mean one attack action (standard action) rather than a full attack action (full-round action).

 

[Planesdragon]

So, if a Cleric spends his move action directing the spiritual weapon, he still gets his normal attack routine, correct?

No. A cleric (or any other charater) who take a move action may only make a single attack action, not their full attack routine. (this doesn't make any difference until the cleric has at least a +6 BAB.)

 

[francisca]

No. A cleric (or any other charater) who take a move action may only make a single attack action, not their full attack routine. (this doesn't make any difference until the cleric has at least a +6 BAB.)

Right. I said normal, not full.

 

[MichaelH]

You still get your standard action for the round plus a 5 foot step if you want.

And my group also understands the spell not to require the caster to use a move action each round to direct it to keep attacking the same target. It will do so until the caster directs it to do something else or the target is eliminated.