Unconscious = "willing"?

[Magius del Cotto]

I'd say that it would depend on the spell's effect. Things like Teleport and Polymorph would be treated as if the target were willing (and lowering their save), while things like Dominate and Charm wouldn't work, since they're being treated as if their mind isn't there (at least as far as saves go. Of course, you could have them work normally, but have the saves be normal, too, since the two are linked together, in a way).
Hope this helps...

 

[Pielorinho]

I wouldn't make any changes to Dominate Person or Polymorph Other: these spells can already affect unwilling creatures, so I don't think a change to the rules is necessary (although the idea of reducing an unconscious person's wisdom to 0 is interesting -- is this supported by the rules?)

The only change I'd make is to spells that specify a willing creature as a target: I'd expand this to a willing or unconscious creature.

AFAIK, teleport is the only spell that would be affected, although there may be other spells.

Daniel

 

[Dingleberry]

AFAIK, teleport is the only spell that would be affected, although there may be other spells.

Other than teleport and plane shift, I also know of animal shapes, dimension door, gaseous form, levitate and word of recall. MotW has two (animal reduction, feathers) and I suspect there are more in the other splatbooks and third party products.

 

[Pielorinho]

Other than teleport and plane shift, I also know of animal shapes, dimension door, gaseous form, levitate and word of recall. MotW has two (animal reduction, feathers) and I suspect there are more in the other splatbooks and third party products.

Ah -- good call, Dingleberry. I'd totally forgotten about these other spells.

I'm not sure whether there'd be any danger in allowing these other listed spells to function on unconscious creatures -- I think this would be not-terribly-unbalancing and fairly fun.

Basically, once you've got someone unconscious, you can generally kill them (with a few exceptions). Being able to cast spells on them doesn't unbalance the game; rather, it opens up options.

In fact, I think this would almost always work in the players' favor: most PCs would much rather be teleported back to the villain's lair than be killed on-scene.

The only real danger I can see is allowing unconscious characters to be plane-shifted: suddenly, there's an easy way to dispose of pesky half-fiend trolls.

Daniel

 

[Dingleberry]

The only real danger I can see is allowing unconscious characters to be plane-shifted: suddenly, there's an easy way to dispose of pesky half-fiend trolls.

Plane shift targets "up to 8 willing creatures joining hands" OR "creature touched" - which then gets a Will save to negate. Considering how crappy troll Will saves are (half-fiend doesn't help), you've hit upon an excellent tactic!