Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Axiomatic_vampire 11-19-07, 06:45 AM	Got some mind-flayers worked up for the next session, and something came to mind I want to get crystal clear on. Let's say there's mind-flayer A, and player B. Both are spell-casters. A wants to cast a spell, B has been smart and readying actions to cast his own spells to do enough damage to bork A's concentration check. Mind-flayer is tougher than the PC caster, gets the idea that the best bet is to stand right next to B, begin casting defensively (should be no problem). B then uses readied action to disrupt. Does A get an attack of opportunity to disrupt B from disrupting A? Looking for a good solid rule on this straight out of the book. Then, issue 2. If yes to issue one, and A attempts a tentacle grapple, would it be appropriate to allow A to still cast (with the concentration check to cast while grappling) since hands are free for somatic component, and mouth is technically free to speak?
Marcus Majarra 11-19-07, 12:18 PM	Does A get an attack of opportunity to disrupt B from disrupting A? If A wasn't casting a spell with a casting time of 1 round or longer, yes. When casting such spells, you don't threaten any squares. Spells with casting times inferior to this still allow you to threaten as normal, so A could indeed make that AoO. If yes to issue one, and A attempts a tentacle grapple, would it be appropriate to allow A to still cast (with the concentration check to cast while grappling) since hands are free for somatic component, and mouth is technically free to speak? That depends. Mind flayers have the Improved Grab ability. If the mind flayer spellcaster takes the -20 penalty on the grapple check so that it's not considered to be grappling, then yes he could still keep casting. Otherwise, any spells with somatic components become impossible and other spells require further concentration checks. Unless it's using Improved Grab, the mind flayer isn't merely using a single tentacle for grappling; it's using all its tentacles and arms as well.
Merestil Haye 11-19-07, 12:21 PM	Got some mind-flayers worked up for the next session, and something came to mind I want to get crystal clear on. Let's say there's mind-flayer A, and player B. Both are spell-casters. A wants to cast a spell, B has been smart and readying actions to cast his own spells to do enough damage to bork A's concentration check. Mind-flayer is tougher than the PC caster, gets the idea that the best bet is to stand right next to B, begin casting defensively (should be no problem). B then uses readied action to disrupt. Does A get an attack of opportunity to disrupt B from disrupting A? Looking for a good solid rule on this straight out of the book.If A threatens B in melee then A is entitled to an AoO, but B can cast his spell defensively to prevent A from getting the AoO. Casting a spell provokes an AoO normally. B is taking his normal turn (his initiative count resets to A's and he is considered to win the tiebreaker between them). Therefore B provokes an AoO. A can take the AoO only if he threatens B; that is only if he has a melee weapon, a natural weapon, the Improved Unarmed Strike feat or an undelivered touch spell and can make an attack into B's space. However, B is entitled to cast defensively and avoid provoking the AoO, by making the standard Concentration check. Then, issue 2. If yes to issue one, and A attempts a tentacle grapple, would it be appropriate to allow A to still cast (with the concentration check to cast while grappling) since hands are free for somatic component, and mouth is technically free to speak?No. Grappling is grappling. If you are in a grapple, you cannot cast spells with somatic components. Your opponent's reaction is likely to be to try and pull the tentacle of his face - or yours. Your hands are likely involved in an attempt to stop him from amputating the tentacle. ETA : I didn't remember mind flayers had Improved Grab. Marcus is right in saying that if he won despite a -20 penalty, he'd be able to cast spells normally.