Spiritual weapon combat advantage

[Nikosandros]

During last game an artillery monster was targeted by spiritual weapon and for a few rounds it kept moving away from the weapon on its turn. Would combat advantage be granted to the cleric's allies as long as the enemy was attacked last turn, or does it require the conjuration to be in the target square?

I ruled the latter, but some of the players raised the issue and I thought about asking for other people opinions...

 

[eamon]

During last game an artillery monster was targeted by spiritual weapon and for a few rounds it kept moving away from the weapon on its turn. Would combat advantage be granted to the cleric's allies as long as the enemy was attacked last turn, or does it require the conjuration to be in the target square?

I ruled the latter, but some of the players raised the issue and I thought about asking for other people opinions...

The power should have said until when the CA lasted - it does not. I probably would have ruled that the CA remained as long as the creature is the weapon's target - but that's no more reasonable than your decision; since it's a toss-up, I'm squinting at the power's balance here. The power looks fairly weak to me (being Implement vs. AC doesn't help), though against easy-to-hit foes I suppose it's stronger there, considering the sustain minor action cost.

 

[Ryujin]

My group's assumption, based on the power as written, is that you don't obtain combat advantage unless the weapon is in the target's square. Upon re-reading the text I think that another valid interpretation would be the weapon remains in the target's square even if he moves, so combat advantage is retained. The only move action listed is to move the weapon to another target.

Based on this being a daily power I think that the latter is more likely the correct interpretation, rather than the former. The first interpretation is incredibly weak.

 

[Mesh Hong]

The way I read (and have run) Spiritual Weapon is that the weapon stays in the target creatures square, moving with it. The target creature will always be granting combat advantage because the weapon is always hindering it.

The only way you can move the Spiritual Weapon is to use your own move action to move it to another creatures square (with a range of 10).

I agree that it is not particularly well written, but I am confident enough that this is the most logical way the power was envisioned. Especially when you look at Consecrated Ground and Weapon of the Gods for supposedly balanced powers. (Weapon of the Gods is insane, especially on the bow of ranger - buts thats another story)

 

[eamon]

On closer examination, I'm with Ryujin and Mesh Hong. Their interpretation of this poorly power seems to make a lot of sense, both mechanically (resolving the issue of until when CA lasts) and balance-wise, retaining the use of an otherwise not too impressive power. The wording seems to hint at it too, as Mesh Hong points out.

 

[Thanee]

We play it so, that the weapon automatically moves with its designated target, so it is always in its space, harrassing it and granting combat advantage.

You specifically need to use an action to designate a new target, and move the weapon to its space, which implies, that this is not necessary for the current target.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Nikosandros]

Well, you all made a pretty convincing argument for having the weapon automatically follow the target. The cleric's player will be pleased...