Automatic disarm of swords and daggers? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Automatic disarm of swords and daggers? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ZerodotJander
12-29-05, 03:33 PM I was browsing through Spell Compendium on my lunch break and noticed the spell Steeldance. It's a 3rd level sorc/wiz, transmutation, and it has medium range and target 2 daggers or swords, no save or SR. The spell effect is for the targeted daggers or swords to float in the mage's square, making one attack each a round.

It seems to me that using this spell, any 5th level or higher sorc/wiz could steal 2 daggers or 2 swords from any character within medium range with no chance of failure, and then add insult to injury by using those swords/daggers to fight for him. A 5th level wizard could stand 100' away from a Balor and steal his vorpal longsword with this with no chance of failure! He probably couldn't keep it for very long, but still.

Am I reading this correctly?
WombleHunter
12-29-05, 08:07 PM Aren't the daggers the focus for the spell, and as such this is covered by the fact that you have to have any spell foci in hand when you cast it?
Rashomon
12-29-05, 09:59 PM Aren't the daggers the focus for the spell, and as such this is covered by the fact that you have to have any spell foci in hand when you cast it?

Mage hand? Spectral hand? Or something.
Llochlyn
12-29-05, 10:02 PM Originally Posted by WombleHunter
Aren't the daggers the focus for the spell, and as such this is covered by the fact that you have to have any spell foci in hand when you cast it?

Erm, it appears the spell has Medium range, so you can cast it away... Medium range to cast on something you hold and then remains in your square would be weird :)
ZerodotJander
12-29-05, 11:50 PM It just says a pair of daggers/swords, not the pair of daggers you are targeting. You could use a pair of daggers that you carry around as the focus, and but target the spell on a totally different set of weapons.
Caelic
12-30-05, 01:03 AM Err...you're REALLY pushing it. Particularly since the text of the spell specifically states that you hold the weapons in your hand while casting.

I dislike these "It works if we pretend certain parts of the rules don't exist" exercises.

Lochlyn, the spell has medium range because once it's cast, that's how far away the weapons can travel to attack enemies.
Llochlyn
12-30-05, 01:06 AM Ok, thanks...

I'm quite eager to put my hands on the compendium myself... No need to flip through 5 supplements for my wizard character anymore
ZerodotJander
12-30-05, 09:08 AM The spell specifically says that the weapons hover in the mage's square, though, attacking enemies that come near him. Also, nowhere in the spell does it say you hold the daggers in your hand, other than the flavor bit before the real spell text.

I think it's just a typo, and they meant to give it a range of Touch.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ZerodotJander 12-29-05, 03:33 PM	I was browsing through Spell Compendium on my lunch break and noticed the spell Steeldance. It's a 3rd level sorc/wiz, transmutation, and it has medium range and target 2 daggers or swords, no save or SR. The spell effect is for the targeted daggers or swords to float in the mage's square, making one attack each a round. It seems to me that using this spell, any 5th level or higher sorc/wiz could steal 2 daggers or 2 swords from any character within medium range with no chance of failure, and then add insult to injury by using those swords/daggers to fight for him. A 5th level wizard could stand 100' away from a Balor and steal his vorpal longsword with this with no chance of failure! He probably couldn't keep it for very long, but still. Am I reading this correctly?
WombleHunter 12-29-05, 08:07 PM	Aren't the daggers the focus for the spell, and as such this is covered by the fact that you have to have any spell foci in hand when you cast it?
Rashomon 12-29-05, 09:59 PM	Aren't the daggers the focus for the spell, and as such this is covered by the fact that you have to have any spell foci in hand when you cast it? Mage hand? Spectral hand? Or something.
Llochlyn 12-29-05, 10:02 PM	Originally Posted by WombleHunter Aren't the daggers the focus for the spell, and as such this is covered by the fact that you have to have any spell foci in hand when you cast it? Erm, it appears the spell has Medium range, so you can cast it away... Medium range to cast on something you hold and then remains in your square would be weird :)
ZerodotJander 12-29-05, 11:50 PM	It just says a pair of daggers/swords, not the pair of daggers you are targeting. You could use a pair of daggers that you carry around as the focus, and but target the spell on a totally different set of weapons.
Caelic 12-30-05, 01:03 AM	Err...you're REALLY pushing it. Particularly since the text of the spell specifically states that you hold the weapons in your hand while casting. I dislike these "It works if we pretend certain parts of the rules don't exist" exercises. Lochlyn, the spell has medium range because once it's cast, that's how far away the weapons can travel to attack enemies.
Llochlyn 12-30-05, 01:06 AM	Ok, thanks... I'm quite eager to put my hands on the compendium myself... No need to flip through 5 supplements for my wizard character anymore
ZerodotJander 12-30-05, 09:08 AM	The spell specifically says that the weapons hover in the mage's square, though, attacking enemies that come near him. Also, nowhere in the spell does it say you hold the daggers in your hand, other than the flavor bit before the real spell text. I think it's just a typo, and they meant to give it a range of Touch.