Whirling Blade: Area effect or just Effect?

[Dannyalcatraz]

Nice try, but Sleep and Color Spray are both Area spells that affect creatures only- and only a certain portion of the creatures within the area, as well.

Whirling Blade, like Sleep and Color Spray, only affect creatures because its the nature of the spells to only effect creatures.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Whirling Blade is not an area spell simply because it doesn't affect everything in its area. It attacks each creature in the line, but doesn't do damage to, say, furniture. Whereas a lightning bolt is very hard on the upholstery.

Does that mean firestorm isn't an area effect?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Once again, it would seem that not only does Whirling Blade read more like an Area spell, but Evard's Black Tentacles should be an Effect spell.

For the old 3E version, where there were a certain number of tentacles, I'd agree - definitely an Effect.

For the 3.5 version, where the tentacles are basically flavor text for the mechanics, I could see it being either without it bothering me much.

-Hyp.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

A little thread necromancy to add this question...

Would this spell work with a Soulknife's Mind-blade?

 

[Joker]

Does Whirling Blade allow you to attack invisible creatures in the path if you can't see them?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Its an instantaneous linear area effect, so I can't see why an invisible creature could escape being affected (no pun intended).

 

[Diirk]

Then I also noticed that Call Lightning- creating an area in which a multitude of linear bolts of lightning over time has a duration. "AHA!- Area effect spells that have a duration of greater than instantaneous are Effect spells!"- a theory dashed by Evard's Black Tentacles.

But while Call Lightning itself may be an effect (giving you bolts to summon), each bolt itself hits an area.

 

[Joker]

Its an instantaneous linear area effect, so I can't see why an invisible creature could escape being affected (no pun intended).

I don't have my books in front of me so do you have to make an attack roll to damage each creature or is it automatic damage for everyone in the area?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As I recall, you have to roll an attack roll, so your ODDS of hitting an invisible opponent are slim.

But while Call Lightning itself may be an effect (giving you bolts to summon), each bolt itself hits an area.

Its been a while since I looked at this question, so don't take this the wrong way- What is your point?

 

[moritheil]

Diirk, are you saying that Call Lightning can be shaped?