The dragon ran into a wall!

[AEtherfyre]

And, Gaze Attacks still work through it, so why not Sonic attacks?

Maybe because while the wall is invisible, it's still there, and actually does block the movement of air? If it doesn't, then Gaseous Form and similar effects should allow passage through - and I don't think that's the case.

My vote is that yes, blindsight would see a wall of force. If sound (and air!) could pass though it, Gust of Wind and the various fog spells would all work through one, and I don't want to go there.

 

[kreynolds]

Well, K, I wouldn't call blindsight a sound attack.

And, Gaze Attacks still work through it, so why not Sonic attacks?

Magic. I'm serious about that too. Tell you what though, I'll play devil's advocate and break it down, like a true rules lawyer.

Does glass allow gaze attacks? Yes.
Does glass grant line of sight? Yes.
Does glass block line of effect? Yes.
Does glass block air? Yes.

Now, this is the kicker...

Does glass block sonic attacks? Yes. Granted, it has a really crappy hardness rating and very few hit points, but it still blocks it.
Does glass block sound? Technically, it does, but very poorly. It actually depends on how thick the glass is.

So, you have a decision to make.

1) Is a wall of force thick enough to block sound? If it is, then you have nothing to worry about.
2) If it's not thick enough to block sound, then how can it block a sonic attack, such as a sonic breath weapon, say from a Pyroclastic Dragon? Magic.

It think that's a fair breakdown of the subject.

 

[Xarlen]

Flaw in your plan, Mr. NotPimp.

From the SDR:

A wall of force spell creates an invisible wall of force. The wall of force cannot move, it is immune to damage of all kinds, and it is totally unaffected by most spells, including dispel magic. However, disintegrate immediately destroys it, as does a rod of cancellation, a sphere of annihilation, and Mordenkainen’s disjunction. Spells and breath weapons cannot pass through the wall in either direction, although dimension door, teleport, and similar effects can bypass the barrier. It blocks ethereal creatures as well as material creatures (though ethereal creatures can usually get around the wall by floating under or over it through material floors and ceilings). Gaze attacks can operate through the wall of force.

So, if they can operate through a Wall of Force, and not through glass, that seems to be an Obvious difference. Where does it say that Gaze Attacks don't work through glass?

Not to mention, spells like Fireball and Lightning Bolt penetrate through glass, shattering it. So it doesn't break That. Where does it say that Glass stops line of effect?

 

[kreynolds]

Flaw in your plan, Mr. NotPimp.

No flaw. Reread my post carefully. You'll also note that it has not been edited.

 

[Xarlen]

1) Is a wall of force thick enough to block sound? If it is, then you have nothing to worry about.
2) If it's not thick enough to block sound, then how can it block a sonic attack, such as a sonic breath weapon, say from a Pyroclastic Dragon? Magic.

2) Big answer. A spell can't pass through a field that's less then a foot wide by a foot high (Unless you're shooting a bead from a fireball through it or whatever). However, Sound Can. Now, using this knowledge, a Wall of Force might be set up so that it is more a molecular 'net'. In other words, there's minute holes in it, less then a foot wide by a foot wide. Not all wall of forces may be like so, but hey, the Wizard can move the squares around, so he could shape it couldn't he?

Simple answer: It doesn't block sound, but it does block sonic energy. Because It's Magic.

Simpler answer: I'm the DM. I say so.

The reason I make this ruling is, I'm going to have an NPC talk through a wall of force. So if it blocks sound, then that kind of makes that USELESS doesn't it?

 

[Xarlen]

Also, I'd add, I don't think blindsight used via vibrations, senses of taste and scent, and simple hearing (ala a monk with Blindsight 5' radius) and such, would detect a wall of force (See Oozes, Assassin Vines, and the like).

 

[kreynolds]

I take it you didn't notice the "non-flaw"?

 

[Xarlen]

Shhh.

 

[kreynolds]

Shhh.

It'll be our little secret.

 

[Xarlen]

Remember, K, You're still a pimp in my heart.