Touch spells

[Maitre Du Donjon]

Shocking grasp description states that the spell lasts until discharged. Other spells (mainly the inflict type) bear no such description. So what happens if you miss on your attack? Do you get a chance to use your touch attack on your next attack?

Maitre D

 

[Mr Fidgit]

you can hold the 'charge' indefinitely (PH p151)

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

ahhh i like cut and dry answers like this.

So this means i could cast the infamousharm, go meet the king, shake his hands, and almost kill him?

Would you rule that when you have a touch spell active, it is visible on your hand?

Maitre D

 

[Mr Fidgit]

personally, no. visual effects, like hands glowing when people are healed, are for the movies

 

[IceBear]

There is one thing about touch spells that seems off when it comes to no visual effects - the lack of an AoO.

Unless you have improved unarmed strike, when you try to touch someone you will suffer an AoO. For some reason, when you cast a touch spell you are considered "armed" and don't suffer an AoO. Why the heck does your opponent treat your touch differently if there's not some sign that your touch is now deadlier than a normal touch?

Anyway, I think by the rules there isn't a glow, but that part has always bothered me.

Edit: As for the part where you cast a spell then go see the king and touch him, the spell is lost if you touch anything or cast another spell. Depending on the circumstances it could be quite hard to avoid touching something and discharging the spell. Certainly, if the character had to walk down a street, deal with the palace personnel, and be introduced to the court I can conceive of many cases of someone touching his hand (if only be accident) and discharging the spell. Certainly if the spellcaster holds his hand in such a way to avoid touching anything, that might look odd enough to warrant suspicion.

IceBear

 

[Oni]

The only touch spell I can think of off the top of my head that gives any description of a visible effect is Chill Touch.

Hurm...that is something they ought to clarify, I could see it making quite a difference in some situations.

 

[whatisitgoodfor]

Delivering an unarmed attack provokes an AoO normally because you have to move close to an opponent to get under their guard.

Delivering a touch attack doesn't provoke one because you can hit any part of the critter, including their shield or armor. The luxury of not having to find a good spot to hit your opponent means that they don't get as many chances to hit you back.

 

[IceBear]

Delivering an unarmed attack provokes an AoO normally because you have to move close to an opponent to get under their guard.

Delivering a touch attack doesn't provoke one because you can hit any part of the critter, including their shield or armor. The luxury of not having to find a good spot to hit your opponent means that they don't get as many chances to hit you back.

Possibly, but I think you would suffer an AoO for simply trying to touch someone too (at least I thought I read an example of that somewhere). If not, then that explains it.

Edit: Hmmm - maybe I'm extrapolating too much on the touch attack needed to start a grapple causing an AoO or the touch attack to grab an item. Your explanation is probably the best way to look at it.

Edit2: Nope, Mr Fidgit's quote shows that there is something about how the defender responds to the touch attack that is the reason.

IceBear

 

[Mr Fidgit]

"The touch spell provides you with a credible threat that the defender is obliged to take into account just as if it were a weapon." (PH 125)

it goes on to mention AoOs for casting, so i wonder if it assumes the target has seen the spell cast...(?)

Oni makes a good point, too. i can't think of any other touch spells with a described visual effect

 

[IceBear]

"The touch spell provides you with a credible threat that the defender is obliged to take into account just as if it were a weapon." (PH 125)

it goes on to mention AoOs for casting, so i wonder if it assumes the target has seen the spell cast...(?)

I guess that's what they assume, but then how does the stupid orc know you cast a touch spell and not mage armor or truestrike?

IceBear