Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Harliquinn 04-30-07, 10:12 AM	This was released in a recent Sage Advice on the Wizard's Site: Q: Dear Sage, Does the dragon shaman’s power draconic aura (PHB II, 13) affect non-weapon attacks? What about attacks that deal ability score damage? --Brian A: Yes and yes. The draconic aura text doesn’t limit the effect to melee weapon attacks, nor does it apply only to attacks that deal hit point damage. What this seems to imply is that the Power Aura would add to magical attacks (spells that deal damage, etc.) and would add to attacks that dealt ability damage and the like. Will this be in place for Xen'drik Expeditions as well? (Not sure where the official campaigns stand on Sage Advice rulings). Harliquinn
smerwin29 04-30-07, 12:53 PM	That crazy sage is at it again. Ok, one thing at a time. 1. Sage Advice is not considered legally binding, although if it moves into the D&D FAQ, then it does become XE legal. However, you can certainly use the Sage Advice to support your interpretation of the rules. 2. Here is the text from the PHB II regarding the "Power Draconic Aura" (unless there was an errata I missed): "Bonus on melee damage rolls equal to your aura bonus." So the sage is going to confuse people by saying that the "text doesn't limit the effect to melee weapon attacks." It does limit the effect to melee attacks. No getting extra damage on fireballs and rays of enfeeblement, because they are not melee attacks. Here's an example of something that would not be a normal melee attack. Let's say a rogue has a feat that let's him remove 2d6 of sneak attack damage to do 1 point of strength damage. You could add the power aura to that damage, since it was the result of a melee attack, and not a ranged attack or a spell effect. Shawn
Harliquinn 04-30-07, 10:31 PM	Thanks Shawn Personally, I don't agree with the sage, but figured I would ask since it has been the talk of the boards for a while. John
Lilinthra 05-01-07, 11:50 AM	I agree that this Sage Advice answer could have been worded better, and I remember going back to look at my PHB2 when I saw that question/answer when it was posted. But wow, the one about warforged getting half healing from the Vigor aura is clearly incorrect. Unfortunately, those rulings entered the D&D FAQ the other day.
lordtiberiusfoxx 05-01-07, 01:23 PM	That crazy sage is at it again. Ok, one thing at a time. 1. Sage Advice is not considered legally binding, although if it moves into the D&D FAQ, then it does become XE legal. However, you can certainly use the Sage Advice to support your interpretation of the rules. 2. Here is the text from the PHB II regarding the "Power Draconic Aura" (unless there was an errata I missed): "Bonus on melee damage rolls equal to your aura bonus." So the sage is going to confuse people by saying that the "text doesn't limit the effect to melee weapon attacks." It does limit the effect to melee attacks. No getting extra damage on fireballs and rays of enfeeblement, because they are not melee attacks. Here's an example of something that would not be a normal melee attack. Let's say a rogue has a feat that let's him remove 2d6 of sneak attack damage to do 1 point of strength damage. You could add the power aura to that damage, since it was the result of a melee attack, and not a ranged attack or a spell effect. Shawn But then again, that same sneak attack would still deal normal damage with the base weapon, so the draconic aura would add to the normal damage, not to the strength damage, which isn't even a "roll." Honestly I have no idea what the sage is thinking, unless we are thinking that the Power Aura applies to say, Poison (the spell, not the extrodinary ability). *Pulls Sagebane rapier in vengence of new migrane headache*
Jesse Heinig 05-03-07, 04:15 PM	Consider a touch-range spell. It's a melee attack, but not a weapon attack. Or an unarmed strike or a natural attack from a wild shaped druid. No weapon, but both are melee attacks. Obviously, they get the power aura.
lordtiberiusfoxx 05-03-07, 05:29 PM	But then again, that same sneak attack would still deal normal damage with the base weapon, so the draconic aura would add to the normal damage, not to the strength damage, which isn't even a "roll." Honestly I have no idea what the sage is thinking, unless we are thinking that the Power Aura applies to say, Poison (the spell, not the extrodinary ability). *Pulls Sagebane rapier in vengence of new migrane headache* Now that I'm not as asleep as the obvious genius that I'm quoting, I have another one. Let's say we have shadows working with a dragon shaman that the PCs are fighting. In that case, the power aura will apply to the strength drain. This being the case, I'm sincerely hoping that nobody abuses this on either side of the table.
Lilinthra 05-04-07, 08:45 AM	Now that I'm not as asleep as the obvious genius that I'm quoting, I have another one. Let's say we have shadows working with a dragon shaman that the PCs are fighting. In that case, the power aura will apply to the strength drain. This being the case, I'm sincerely hoping that nobody abuses this on either side of the table. Shadows were the first thing I thought of, but a contact poison used by a PC/NPC that is immune could also be nasty. I wouldn't have a problem with either if the aura was just a rider effect of physical damage, but the wording in the Sage's answer is vague on the damage type.
lordtiberiusfoxx 05-05-07, 01:45 PM	Shadows were the first thing I thought of, but a contact poison used by a PC/NPC that is immune could also be nasty. I wouldn't have a problem with either if the aura was just a rider effect of physical damage, but the wording in the Sage's answer is vague on the damage type. I was interpretting the ability damage as if it was an attack that did ability damage only. If it weren't, then the draconic aura would be able to add the bonus twice? Once for the normal attack and once for the poison? Oi. At this point I recomend we find the sage for making this host-forsaken ruling and sit him down and playing a party with multiple dragon shamen and showing him what happens when rulings that open cans of worms like this are made! :duel: Again I will plea to players and dms alike not to make abuse of this ruling and ruin other peoples' nights.