Share spell conundrum [Archive] - Wizards Community

Share spell conundrum [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
geekling
02-07-08, 07:37 AM Ok, so I might be having a blonde moment. But if anyone can shine a light on this conundrum when it comes to druids, animal companionsm, and share spells. I would be greatful.

Druid class feature share spells:
At the druid’s option, she may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) she casts upon herself also affect her animal companion. The animal companion must be within 5 feet of her at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the animal companion if the companion moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the animal again, even if it returns to the druid before the duration expires.

Seems straight forward enough, yes?

No!

Not when we mix in the abstractions of the combat mechanics, rounds and initiative. That's when my headache begins.

So, we have this situation to illustrate:
Round 1:
Druid and companion are standing side by side. Druid cast a buffing spell shared with the animal companion.
Animal companion is held back from acting that round. So that it does not rush into combat unbuffed - and to syncronise initiative so that druid and companion acts on the same initiative count.

Foes are 20 ft away and not moving - plinking arrows or something. Bear with me, this is just an illustration.

What is meant to happen next.
Druid and animal companion charge forward side by side to join melee. As they are acting simultaniously they are at every moment within 5 ft of each other.

Add combat abstraction and acting in turns - even if those turns are at the same initiative, and you get:
Round 2:
Companion moves forward 20ft in a straight line and attacks.
Druid and companion are more than 5ft apart on the battle grid. Does this end the buffing on the animal companion?
Druid moves forward 20ft in a straight line and attacks. Starting and ending the turn in the square next to the animal companion.

If this movement on the battlegrid does break the share spells - is there even a way to achive the wanted objective of druid and companion charging forward side by side always being within 5ft of each other, but still moving in more than 5ft step chunks of distance per round?
mvincent
02-07-08, 03:16 PM is there even a way to achive the wanted objective of druid and companion charging forward side by side always being within 5ft of each other, but still moving in more than 5ft step chunks of distance per round?- Choose a companion you can ride (or vise verse)
- One of you ready an action to move precisely along with the other
- Ask your DM if you can move together when you delay to move on the same init.
weasel0
02-07-08, 03:34 PM To simplify, our group always assumes simultaneous actions of caster and animal unless specified otherwise.
toucanbuzz
02-07-08, 03:52 PM If they act simultaneously, then they move side by side. Easy enough. Just use the same initiative for both (which is what our druid does).

The map helps you keep track of where folks are; it does not actually illustrate how realistically you move. So, you resolve your animal's turn first and then move the druid, but for all intents and purpose, they were "side by side" the entire way.

If you prefer, pick up both minis and move them at the same time.
deduke
02-08-08, 06:47 AM We had this problem as well and decided that if the druid and animal companion started and ended the round within 5 ft of each other share spell would remain active, this way a difference in initiative doesnt matter.
This ofcourse is a house rule since the description in your initial post represent the current rules as written.

Nowadays our druid has a feat to extend his share spell range up to 30 feet and thus the problem does not really exist anymore.
BattleaxeField
02-08-08, 10:01 PM Read "Simultaneous Activity" on page 24 of the DMG. A lot of people forget that even though you are taking turns in the game, we should think of the actions as occurring simultaneously. Therefore, as long as you don't end a round more than 5 feet apart, you can assume you were that close the entire time.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
geekling 02-07-08, 07:37 AM	Ok, so I might be having a blonde moment. But if anyone can shine a light on this conundrum when it comes to druids, animal companionsm, and share spells. I would be greatful. Druid class feature share spells: At the druid’s option, she may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) she casts upon herself also affect her animal companion. The animal companion must be within 5 feet of her at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the animal companion if the companion moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the animal again, even if it returns to the druid before the duration expires. Seems straight forward enough, yes? No! Not when we mix in the abstractions of the combat mechanics, rounds and initiative. That's when my headache begins. So, we have this situation to illustrate: Round 1: Druid and companion are standing side by side. Druid cast a buffing spell shared with the animal companion. Animal companion is held back from acting that round. So that it does not rush into combat unbuffed - and to syncronise initiative so that druid and companion acts on the same initiative count. Foes are 20 ft away and not moving - plinking arrows or something. Bear with me, this is just an illustration. What is meant to happen next. Druid and animal companion charge forward side by side to join melee. As they are acting simultaniously they are at every moment within 5 ft of each other. Add combat abstraction and acting in turns - even if those turns are at the same initiative, and you get: Round 2: Companion moves forward 20ft in a straight line and attacks. Druid and companion are more than 5ft apart on the battle grid. Does this end the buffing on the animal companion? Druid moves forward 20ft in a straight line and attacks. Starting and ending the turn in the square next to the animal companion. If this movement on the battlegrid does break the share spells - is there even a way to achive the wanted objective of druid and companion charging forward side by side always being within 5ft of each other, but still moving in more than 5ft step chunks of distance per round?
mvincent 02-07-08, 03:16 PM	is there even a way to achive the wanted objective of druid and companion charging forward side by side always being within 5ft of each other, but still moving in more than 5ft step chunks of distance per round?- Choose a companion you can ride (or vise verse) - One of you ready an action to move precisely along with the other - Ask your DM if you can move together when you delay to move on the same init.
weasel0 02-07-08, 03:34 PM	To simplify, our group always assumes simultaneous actions of caster and animal unless specified otherwise.
toucanbuzz 02-07-08, 03:52 PM	If they act simultaneously, then they move side by side. Easy enough. Just use the same initiative for both (which is what our druid does). The map helps you keep track of where folks are; it does not actually illustrate how realistically you move. So, you resolve your animal's turn first and then move the druid, but for all intents and purpose, they were "side by side" the entire way. If you prefer, pick up both minis and move them at the same time.
deduke 02-08-08, 06:47 AM	We had this problem as well and decided that if the druid and animal companion started and ended the round within 5 ft of each other share spell would remain active, this way a difference in initiative doesnt matter. This ofcourse is a house rule since the description in your initial post represent the current rules as written. Nowadays our druid has a feat to extend his share spell range up to 30 feet and thus the problem does not really exist anymore.
BattleaxeField 02-08-08, 10:01 PM	Read "Simultaneous Activity" on page 24 of the DMG. A lot of people forget that even though you are taking turns in the game, we should think of the actions as occurring simultaneously. Therefore, as long as you don't end a round more than 5 feet apart, you can assume you were that close the entire time.