Using Powers OUTSIDE of Combat and question on Dimensional Warp

[Tyranthraxus]

Good Day,

Something that came up recently in a game I was in, was a character wanting to show an NPC the power of a Swordsage (In this case wanted to use Flame Cyclone). Are there any rules /rulings I need to know for using in this case Encounter Powers outside a combat Situation?

Other reasoning could be applied to this action

A) Cleaning a mess of dead brambles and roots from the front of a cave blocking access
B)Wanting to create an amount of steam by using it on an ice formation (possible to make line of sight difficult)

Im sure there are other uses, but Id like to know other peoples views on this.

I have a secondary and important question.

The swordsmage utility 2 encounter power, Dimensional Warp. It targets 2 'allies' , namely the character and someone else. Can someone declare they are not an ally for use of this ability? Ive had this come up where someone grudgingly accept the swap but it brings up the point. Does the other character have a choice?

Thanks

 

[Hypersmurf]

The swordsmage utility 2 encounter power, Dimensional Warp. It targets 2 'allies' , namely the character and someone else. Can someone declare they are not an ally for use of this ability? Ive had this come up where someone grudgingly accept the swap but it brings up the point. Does the other character have a choice?

They have a choice. PHB p57: "When a power’s target entry specifies that it affects you and one or more of your allies, then you can take advantage of the power’s effect along with your teammates. Otherwise, 'ally' or 'allies' does not include you, and both terms assume willing targets."

If you try to Dimensional Warp him, and he declares himself an unwilling target, he does not fit the assumed meaning of 'ally' for purposes of that power.

-Hyp.

 

[Victim]

Yes. It still takes a ~5 minute break to recharge powers used out of combat.

IIRC, allies do have a choice on whether to be affected by movement related stuff from their supposed friends.

 

[Nail]

Are there any rules /rulings I need to know for using in this case Encounter Powers outside a combat Situation?

"Encounter Powers" maybe used at any time. You don't need to be rolling initaitive to use these powers. (Although you do have to wait 5 minutes for them to recharge after use.)

The swordsmage utility 2 encounter power, Dimensional Warp. It targets 2 'allies' , namely the character and someone else. Can someone declare they are not an ally for use of this ability? Ive had this come up where someone grudgingly accept the swap but it brings up the point. Does the other character have a choice?

Yes.

 

[Nail]

Ninja'd twice over! Yipes!

(Check out those post times!)

 

[Ravingdork]

You can use powers outside of combat just fine.

Using them on unconventional targets on the other hand (such as fireballing a pool of water to cause it to boil/steam/dehydrate) is up to your GM to decide (hopefully he encourages such creative behavior).

My cleric used Cause Fear on a Goblin King before locking the creaming liitle bastard in his own safe room. I then turned around and had to fight off his personal bodyguard (short one cause fear since 5 minutes hadn't passed) while the King screamed and wailed and ran into walls in the adjacent room about some kind of demon nightmares.

 

[Grabuto138]

The swordsmage utility 2 encounter power, Dimensional Warp. It targets 2 'allies' , namely the character and someone else. Can someone declare they are not an ally for use of this ability?
Thanks

I don't have the Swordsage info handy (where is it anyway?) but remember that a power that targets "allies" does not target you necessarily. For example, the Warlord's Inspiring Word ("you or one ally in a burst") does help you but Inspiring War Cry ("one ally who can hear you") cannot be used on yourself. Essentialy, you are not your own ally. Sorry if this is irrelevant.

 

[Runestar]

Are you referring to the swordsage from ToB (a 3.5 splatbook) or the swordmage from the FRCS?

 

[Mr. Teapot]

I don't have the Swordsage info handy (where is it anyway?) but remember that a power that targets "allies" does not target you necessarily. F

The SwordMage power mentioned targets either two allies or yourself and two allies. So your point, though true, is irrelevant.

The Swordmage's first three levels showed up in a Character Creation info for Living Forgotten Realms.