Ultimate Guide to Ambiguous/Problem Rules

[Voadam]

#9

Here is the srd rules quote for #9 expeditious retreat

"The character's speed and maximum jumping distances both double. These benefits count as enhancement bonuses."

suggested argument for: It says the character's speed is doubled. There is no limiting qualifier for types of speed listed in the spell.

 

[Voadam]

#26

Here is the mirror image srd quote for the rules section

"Enemies attempting to attack the character or cast spells at the character must select from among indistinguishable targets. Generally, roll randomly to see whether the selected target is real or a figment. Any successful attack roll against a figment destroys it. A figment’s AC is 10 + size modifier + Dexterity modifier. Figments seem to react normally to area spells (such as looking like they’re burned or dead after being struck by a fireball).
"

 

[Voadam]

#33 and proposed #34

For #33 When does an Invisible attacker turn visible.

Here is the rules quote for the invisibility spell

"The spell ends if the subject attacks any creature."

and "If the subject attacks directly, however, it immediately becomes visible along with all its
gear."

I would rename the question "When exactly does an invisibility spell end from attacks." This will obviate the need for distinguishing improved invisibility.

Under your best advice I suggest rewording it to say "You turn visible immediately after your first single attack even if you can attack multiple times in a single full attack action."

Argument for: As used throughout the combat section an attack is a single blow. Even a multiple attack full attack action, by definition, has multiple attacks and the spell ends immediately after the first direct attack.

Argument against: A full attack action is one full attack, a direct attack and so the spell should end immediately after the whole full attack is resolved.

"The effects of becoming visible by attacking" can be a separate issue #34

Suggested Best advice: "as soon as a character is visible his target is no longer denied its dexterity bonus (and cannot be sneak attacked).

Rules:

Attacker Invisible: Melee+2*; Ranged +2/
*The defender loses any Dexterity bonus to AC.

Argument for: The defender is only denied his dexterity while the character is invisible. There is no rule delaying a defender from regaining their dexterity bonus when conditions such as invisibility no longer apply. Flat-footed is a separate condition with its own specific rules for when the condition of dexterity negation ends.

 

[Voadam]

#30

Artoomis on #30 the extend spell issue, do you have an argument for your best advice position? It seems your advice would not make heat metal last twice as long, (which the feat's wording requires) only part of it. Is this a balance issue for a double damage heat metal? Do you think it should be treated differently from an extended Melf's Acid Arrow which does get double damage from its duration acid effect?

 

[Artoomis]

Re: #30

Artoomis on #30 the extend spell issue, do you have an argument for your best advice position? It seems your advice would not make heat metal last twice as long, (which the feat's wording requires) only part of it. Is this a balance issue for a double damage heat metal? Do you think it should be treated differently from an extended Melf's Acid Arrow which does get double damage from its duration acid effect?

To tell you the truth, I have no opinion on this one yet. I just copied someone else's thoughts and pasted them in. How do you think it should go? I'm torn - maybe extend shouldn't even work on these sorts of spell?

 

[Voadam]

#30

Well, my thoughts are the argument against which you posted verbatim from my previous suggestion on it (there was only a best advice at the time, I posted an argument against and the srd rules quote) I think it will work on damaging spells with durations and effectively cause double damage. I think this will be the case whether it is variable by duration like heat metal or defined like acid arrow. The slowing down of high damage for some spells is merely a tactical consideration in whether or not to use the feat.

Arguments against: I have seen people argue that slowing down when the high damage comes into effect makes it a worse spell and applying a feat should always be beneficial (a weak argument I thought). A second possible argument against my position would be that it is a super cheap way to get double damage from some spells. Takes longer but more damage than empowering them and for a lower level slot.

 

[Psyduck]

I think I may have come across one not on this list last Saturday. It's the post about glitterdust I am about to make.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

One to consider putting on the list: Is Hide in Plain Sight a standard action or a free action?

HiPS is a supernatural ability. Supernatural abilities require standard actions to use unless explicitly stated otherwise.

The description of HiPS implies it is an improvement to Hide. Hide is a free action.

 

[Artoomis]

Note to self:

Include this issue in the guide.

When you recive dmamage from multiple sources *(whether mutiple Magic Missles or mutiple attackers) while casting a spell, is it one concentration check or many?

while trying to cast a spell the character takes damage, fail a saving throw, or are otherwise successfully assaulted, the character must make a Concentration check. The DC is 10 + points of damage taken + the level of the spell the character is casting.

It looks like it's one check for ALL the damage you take. This makes sense to me.

Ask two questions:

1. Did you take damage while casting the spell?
2. How much damage?

This pretty much does it for me, I think. I'm going to post this yo the Ultimate Guide thread, too - it's a good one to include in my Guide.

 

[Caliban]

Note to self:

Include this issue in the guide.

When you recive dmamage from multiple sources *(whether mutiple Magic Missles or mutiple attackers) while casting a spell, is it one concentration check or many?



It looks like it's one check for ALL the damage you take. This makes sense to me.

Ask two questions:

1. Did you take damage while casting the spell?
2. How much damage?

This pretty much does it for me, I think. I'm going to post this yo the Ultimate Guide thread, too - it's a good one to include in my Guide.

I think that you have the make the Concentration check at the time you take damage.

Multiple magic missiles from one spell all hit at the same instant, so you only need to make a single concentration check.

Taking damage from different opponents or environmental effects would require a seperate concentration check for each one, as they are not striking you at the same instant.