What happens when a necklace of fireballs detonates when worn?

[darthkilmor]

Right here, you've already gone off the beaten path, so you're free to make up whatever rules you like. If you don't want to allow a save, don't allow a save. If you want a save and no evasion, do that.

RAW? Yes, they get to make a save. And they get evasion. The rules aren't always logical, and I probably would rule otherwise, but it depends on whether or not you want to have house rules in your game.

And you know what? If they make their save and have evasion, its still regrettable, because of two things:

1) Collateral Damage
2) The rather expensive and useful piece of jewelry they were just wearing is now gone.

Well, trying to stay as RAW as possible, was hoping there might have been a rules of the game or dungeon/dragon or sage advice or published adventure or something else that said anything about necklaces of fireballs going BOOM-BOOM. But if it has to be house rules/harsh interpretation then thats ok too I guess.

 

[Goblyn]

My answer to the title of this thread is pain. Lots of pain.

But yeah, a a reflex save vs each remaining fireball sounds correct, as per RAW AFAICT.

 

[shilsen]

Well, trying to stay as RAW as possible, was hoping there might have been a rules of the game or dungeon/dragon or sage advice or published adventure or something else that said anything about necklaces of fireballs going BOOM-BOOM. But if it has to be house rules/harsh interpretation then thats ok too I guess.

The RAW is quite clear about it. If the necklace goes boom while you're wearing it, you get a Reflex save for half damage for each bead.

 

[Quartz]

I guess i'm hung up on: all its remaining spheres detonate simultaneously, often with regrettable consequences for the wearer.

The bolded bit is a piece of dark humour, nothing more.

 

[Jhaelen]

A save indicates that you somehow dodged or managed to find cover and didn't take the full brunt of the attack.

You can't take cover from a grenade tied to your neck.

In this case, it is more like a bomb with a fuse going off instantaneously as all of the fuse is lit simultaneously across its entire length...because you fumbled your save vrs flamethrower....

No save. Evasion does not apply. Check for spell resistance if it is an option.

Not correct. You _always_ get a reflex save, even while helpless. You probably wouldn't get to use evasion, though, since that requires room to move and being able to leap or twist out of the way.

I'd get seriously angry about a DM denying me a reflex save under those conditions unless I was informed beforehand about that kind of house-rules.

 

[eamon]

Not correct. You _always_ get a reflex save, even while helpless. You probably wouldn't get to use evasion, though, since that requires room to move and being able to leap or twist out of the way.

That's a fine interpretation, but I'm not aware of any rule to back it up. The PHB blurb defining saving throws isn't exactly wordy and precise, by any means. In any case, if you're effectively helpless, your dexterity is 0 and your modifier -5 (vs. this effect). If you want to play in a heroic fantastic world in which sheer luck and force of being can deflect a fireball (or you just don't want the argument with your players), then you still apply this pretty hefty penalty. However, you're probably still within RAW if you choose not to allow these saves (and yes, it's obviously necessary for players and DM to have the same understanding of this matter).

In any case, if it's a cursed necklace, you're perfectly allowed to simply disallow the reflex save as part of the effect of the curse. Alternatively, you could impose a -10 penalty on the save instead, and save yourself the hassle of determining the dexterity bonus during play-time.

 

[Nifft]

A save indicates that you somehow dodged or managed to find cover and didn't take the full brunt of the attack.

Sorry, but no.

A wizard who is flying in empty space, and who is the target of a fireball spell centered on his current square, is entitled to a save for half damage. How exactly is he dodging or taking cover?

An orc in a 10 ft. by 10 ft. room with no furniture is entitled to a save against a fireball centered on the intersection in the center of the room. The area of the fireball fills the room completely. How exactly is he dodging or taking cover?

Cheers, -- N

 

[darthkilmor]

Sorry, but no.

A wizard who is flying in empty space, and who is the target of a fireball spell centered on his current square, is entitled to a save for half damage. How exactly is he dodging or taking cover?

An orc in a 10 ft. by 10 ft. room with no furniture is entitled to a save against a fireball centered on the intersection in the center of the room. The area of the fireball fills the room completely. How exactly is he dodging or taking cover?

Cheers, -- N

Reflex

These saves test your ability to dodge area attacks. Apply your Dexterity modifier to your Reflex saving throws.

Given this definition its not unreasonable for ppl to assume you don't get a reflex save if you can't move(paralyzed, helpless,etc). Except its really more of a "did the fireball hit me?" not "did I get out of the way of the fireball?". One of those fun situations where logic breaks down(in as much as logic applies to magical effects and whatnot).

Edit: I think this is one of those things that is getting changed in 4e yes?

 

[Quartz]

Allowing the player to attempt saves is more fun.

 

[Jhaelen]

That's a fine interpretation, but I'm not aware of any rule to back it up. The PHB blurb defining saving throws isn't exactly wordy and precise, by any means. In any case, if you're effectively helpless, your dexterity is 0 and your modifier -5 (vs. this effect).

Check out the Rules Compendium. It's correct that you have to apply the changed Dex modifier, though.