Tenser's Floating Disc ... material & movement?

[Elyeesium]

There was a post a while back in October of 2005 that discussed Tenser's Floating Disc, and I hoped someone might still be interested in exploring these following questions:

Topic I.
1.) WHAT IS THE SUBSTANCE OF the “Tenser’s Floating Disc”? (The 3.5 Players Handbook states that it is, “a slightly concave circular plane of force …” is it the same substance as a "wall of force" only thinner, or is it something different)?

1a.) If it is a plane of force similar to a wall of force, can the caster or anyone (say a Gnome) crawl under the disc for cover from above?

1b.) If the caster or anyone could crawl under a TFD, what could pass through or damage the TFD, and what hardness/hit-points would the TFD have if it could be damaged?

2.) Does a TFD have any visible aspects to it (color, light refraction, etc)?

3.) If the caster creates the TFD (casts the spell) and then becomes trapped on the other side of a door, portcullis, etc while the TFD is on the opposite side, can the magical force and movement of the TFD break through the door/portcullis/divide?

Just trying to understand the substance of the TFD and the power of it's movement. I completely understand that this is a 1st level spell, and should be appropriately powered for that level.

Thanks.

 

[Jack Simth]

There was a post a while back in October of 2005 that discussed Tenser's Floating Disc, and I hoped someone might still be interested in exploring these following questions:

Topic I.
1.) WHAT IS THE SUBSTANCE OF the “Tenser’s Floating Disc”? (The 3.5 Players Handbook states that it is, “a slightly concave circular plane of force …” is it the same substance as a "wall of force" only thinner, or is it something different)?

1a.) If it is a plane of force similar to a wall of force, can the caster or anyone (say a Gnome) crawl under the disc for cover from above?

1b.) If the caster or anyone could crawl under a TFD, what could pass through or damage the TFD, and what hardness/hit-points would the TFD have if it could be damaged?

2.) Does a TFD have any visible aspects to it (color, light refraction, etc)?

3.) If the caster creates the TFD (casts the spell) and then becomes trapped on the other side of a door, portcullis, etc while the TFD is on the opposite side, can the magical force and movement of the TFD break through the door/portcullis/divide?

Just trying to understand the substance of the TFD and the power of it's movement. I completely understand that this is a 1st level spell, and should be appropriately powered for that level.

Thanks.

For most of these, the answer is "not specified in RAW, ask your DM".

With 1), it's the same "material" as what you get from a Mage Armor or Shield spell - pretty much unspecified (although it doesn't get the indestructible clause that a Wall of Force gets).
With 1a) Potentially, but do note that it's got a height limit. You'll need to find a way to be Small or Smaller to make decent use out of that tactic.
1b) Not specified in RAW, sorry. You could extrapolate from the collapse weight and falling object rules, if you really wanted, but this is definitely "ask your dm" territory.

 

[Man-thing]

There was a post a while back in October of 2005 that discussed Tenser's Floating Disc, and I hoped someone might still be interested in exploring these following questions:

Topic I.
1.) WHAT IS THE SUBSTANCE OF the “Tenser’s Floating Disc”? (The 3.5 Players Handbook states that it is, “a slightly concave circular plane of force …” is it the same substance as a "wall of force" only thinner, or is it something different)?

1a.) If it is a plane of force similar to a wall of force, can the caster or anyone (say a Gnome) crawl under the disc for cover from above?

1b.) If the caster or anyone could crawl under a TFD, what could pass through or damage the TFD, and what hardness/hit-points would the TFD have if it could be damaged?

2.) Does a TFD have any visible aspects to it (color, light refraction, etc)?

3.) If the caster creates the TFD (casts the spell) and then becomes trapped on the other side of a door, portcullis, etc while the TFD is on the opposite side, can the magical force and movement of the TFD break through the door/portcullis/divide?

Hmm, as a DM I would say...

1) Yes, much like a wall of force only thinner.
1a) I would say yes because I like creative gameplay.
1b) I think cover provides a bonus to AC, so anything that beats that AC harms the "covered" person. The disk itself is force and does not follow rules for hardness/hit points.
2) I would rule it has a shimmering rim, otherwise where would you know to put your stuff. Illusionists could colour it and Conjurists could alter its shape slightly.
3) No, though unbreakable a floating disk is soft and would bounce against the portcullis but not break it.

 

[Elyeesium]

Jack Smith ... thanks for your input, and your perspective. I would also agree that the substance should be more like what you described: Mage-Armor/Shield substance. Also I like the balance you implied by the weight of a falling object and how that might the disc wink out if over 100 lbs/caster-lvl.

Man-thing, thanks as well. I really agree with your perspective on helping support creative players use their ideas successfully. I am a DM and just trying to find that fun area of empowerment to the players & balance of rules and how it will affect future use of those ideas.

Thanks again you two, and if you have any other ideas or references that you know of ... feel free to let me know.