Spiritual Weapon

[Pinotage]

What exactly does 'direct to a new target' mean? If, for example, the spiritual weapon is attacking an opponent and that opponent on its turn moves 100 ft away, what does the spiritual weapon do? Does it require a move action on the caster's part to direct it to the opponent that's moved since it's now attacking a different square, or does it just follow the target and still get to make a full attack?

Thanks!

Pinotage

 

[Bront]

What exactly does 'direct to a new target' mean? If, for example, the spiritual weapon is attacking an opponent and that opponent on its turn moves 100 ft away, what does the spiritual weapon do? Does it require a move action on the caster's part to direct it to the opponent that's moved since it's now attacking a different square, or does it just follow the target and still get to make a full attack?

Thanks!

Pinotage

Cast by 10th level cleric.
You have goblin A, B, and C.

Round
1. Weapon is attacking Goblin A with a standard attack, who simply attacks the cleric as normal (range 5-10')
2. Weapon is attacking Goblin A with a full attack and kills him.
3. Weapon is attacking Goblin A, which is already dead. Cleric takes move action to redirect it to Goblin B who is 100' away firing arrows so it gets 1 attack, then attacks goblin C with his mace.
4. Weapon is attacking Goblin B with a full attack, who turns tail and runs (60' away, now at range 160')
5. Weapon is attacking Goblin B with a full attack, who continues to run (60' more, now at 220' and out of spell range).
6. Weapon can't attack goblin B so it waits for command. Cleric is too busy to redirect it this round.
7. Weapon is redirected to attack Goblin C with a standard attack, who is in Melee with the cleric.
8. Weapon is attacking Goblin C with a full attack.
9. Weapon is attacking Goblin C with a full attack.
10. Weapon is attacking Goblin C with a full attack. Goblin C tries to run but is cut down.

As the spell reads, it only matters if the spell itself is redirected, otherwise it always attacks at a full attack. I hope the example helps.

 

[Krelios]

Since it says new target and not new location, it does not require a command to follow the last creature it was attacking, rather, that's the default behavior.

Spiritual Weapon attacks Goblin A.
Goblin A dies.
Cleric must spend a move action to direct the weapon to Goblin B.
Goblin B runs.
Spiritual weapon moves up to 100' and attacks Goblin B, since that was its last valid target and it has not been given the order to change targets.

Now, if Goblin B moves too far and the SW follows it outside of the range of the spell, it disappears, as per the description, so intelligent foes that have identified the spell can use that to their advantage. Of course, the cleric could just designate a new target, but that's probably fine with the goblin that got away.

 

[Bront]

One other note, is that a spiritual weapon does not get AoOs at all either.

 

[Pinotage]

Thanks! That's very helpful. What about if the Spiritual Weapon is attacking and opponent and said opponent goes invisible, or uses Hide in Plain Sight? Can the weapon still continue to target that creature if it was identified as the weapon's target before the opponent went invisible?

Pinotage

 

[mikebr99]

Thanks! That's very helpful. What about if the Spiritual Weapon is attacking and opponent and said opponent goes invisible, or uses Hide in Plain Sight? Can the weapon still continue to target that creature if it was identified as the weapon's target before the opponent went invisible?

Pinotage

Well, that really depends on how your DM describes what just happened... It would really be up the the cleric to continue to attack the last square it was just attacking or re-direct it to another target.


Mike

 

[werk]

Now, if Goblin B moves too far and the SW follows it outside of the range of the spell, it disappears, as per the description, so intelligent foes that have identified the spell can use that to their advantage. Of course, the cleric could just designate a new target, but that's probably fine with the goblin that got away.

SRD:
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.

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.


I'd say that the weapon continues to attack, even if the target goes invisible, largely because the sword can attack incorporeals and there is no text about the target becoming invalid for any reason other than range.

 

[irdeggman]

I'd say that the weapon continues to attack, even if the target goes invisible, largely because the sword can attack incorporeals and there is no text about the target becoming invalid for any reason other than range.

I'd agree with it still attacking, even though being incorporeal has nothing to do with it here. The attacks would be made with the same penalties that always apply to striking someone/something that is invisible.

 

[Quidam]

full attack after a move

1) does the SW get a full attack when it's had to move to follow its current target?

2) does the SW get a full attack when it's moved as a result of being assigned a new target?

 

[werk]

1) does the SW get a full attack when it's had to move to follow its current target?

2) does the SW get a full attack when it's moved as a result of being assigned a new target?

SRD:
On any round that the weapon switches targets, it gets one attack. Subsequent rounds of attacking that target allow the weapon to make multiple attacks if your base attack bonus would allow it to.


1) Yes
2) No