Spiritual Weapon issues

[the Jester]

So tonight we had some interesting questions come up re: spiritual weapon.

Such a weapon is a force effect. It has an effect, not a target, though the caster can send it after a new foe as a move (iirc).

Well, here's where we discovered some interesting implications. I assumed that the SW takes up space, much like one of the various hand spells, a wall of force, resilient sphere, etc. Does this mean:

1. A spiritual weapon blocks a charge?
2. A spiritual weapon blocks unfriendly movement?

This interpetation leads to some interesting implications.

Thoughts?

 

[Shin Okada]

1. No.
2. No.

I can't find any reason for SW to block those acts. It is just a spell effect floating. It does not block anything. It does not even threaten area.

 

[irdeggman]

A weapon takes up neglible space in a square. The SW can occupy the same square as the caster without interfereing with his attacks or actions.

 

[lordcloaker]

I dont have my books with me, but I always have a few questions with SW.
It doesnt have a threaten area so it no AoO's because of movement, but does it get AoO's because of casting or drinking potion or any other non-movement AoO situation ?

Last time I used it we decided it did AoO on a enemy spellcaster casting, because the sword is constantly attacking, so a drop in guard would mean a wack on the head. Is there an official answer for this ?

 

[The Souljourner]

The weapon isn't intelligent, it can't take attacks of opportunity. It's a spell effect.. it does exactly what it says it does and no more.

-The Souljourner

 

[Storm Raven]

Last time I used it we decided it did AoO on a enemy spellcaster casting, because the sword is constantly attacking, so a drop in guard would mean a wack on the head. Is there an official answer for this ?

There is an implied answer. The weapon doesn't threaten an area. AoOs require a threatened area, hence, no AoO.

 

[werk]

I dont have my books with me, but I always have a few questions with SW.
It doesnt have a threaten area so it no AoO's because of movement, but does it get AoO's because of casting or drinking potion or any other non-movement AoO situation ?

Last time I used it we decided it did AoO on a enemy spellcaster casting, because the sword is constantly attacking, so a drop in guard would mean a wack on the head. Is there an official answer for this ?

I refer to the melee weapon special ability - dancing. It doesn't fit perfectly for SW, but it gives some insight on how to handle a non-wielded weapon.

 

[the Jester]

A weapon takes up neglible space in a square. The SW can occupy the same square as the caster without interfereing with his attacks or actions.

Can an enemy occupy the same square as the SW?

 

[Shin Okada]

Can an enemy occupy the same square as the SW?

Game mechanic wise, a SW does not "occupy" a square at all. A SW is just assigned to a target.

 

[the Jester]

Game mechanic wise, a SW does not "occupy" a square at all. A SW is just assigned to a target.

But it has an 'effect,' not a 'target' entry. Yes, you choose a target for the SW's attacks, but you always choose a target for an attack.

Surely a Bigby's ___ing hand occupies space? A Tenser's floating disc? A Mordenkainen's faithful hound? A resilient sphere, wall of force or forcecage?