Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Werebat 04-02-07, 05:27 PM	I've noticed that the Cube of Force seems to have one of the worst descriptions of any magic item in the DMG; so much is open to interpretation that it seems like it was designed to cause arguments at the gaming table! Not liking arguments at the gaming table, here is what I came up with when one of my players wanted to purchase one (tell me what you think): Cube of Force: • As stated in the item description, the walls of the cube are derived from the wall of force spell. They are special in that they are selective in what they screen out, generally ignoring (and passing harmlessly through) anything not specifically kept out by the active effect of the cube. For example, when set to its first activation (keeps out gasses, wind, etc) the walls of the cube will pass harmlessly through solid living and nonliving matter, enabling the possessor to walk through a 5’ wide stone corridor. • Like a wall of force spell, the walls generated by the cube are invisible. • Activating the cube, changing the active effect, or shutting the cube down are all move actions. • When activated, the walls of the cube spring up instantly at the appropriate distance from the possessor. They do not push anything out of the cube’s area when it is activated. • The walls of the cube prevent movement of the barred substances and effects in both directions. This is not a one-way blocking. Barred substances and effects cannot move out of the cube either, unless those substances or effects could normally pass through a wall of force (see the spell, wall of force, for more information). Thus, the second activation (keeps out nonliving matter) would protect those outside the cube from arrows fired by those inside of the cube. Note that some spells and spell-like effects (for example, dimension door and most gaze attacks) are capable of passing through a wall of force and are therefore also capable of passing through the walls generated by a cube of force set to its fourth or fifth setting (keeps out magic and keeps out all things). This generally includes spells and effects that do not require line of effect in order to function. • Creatures within 5’ of the cube that would be trapped inside or outside when it is activated get a DC 17 Reflex save to avoid being trapped. If they make the save, they may move to any unoccupied square within five feet to avoid being trapped inside or outside the cube. • Barred gasses, creatures, and effects without mass (non-corporeal undead and most magical auras and emanations, for example) are temporarily pushed back or turned aside by the force walls if advanced upon. • Barred creatures, objects, and effects that have solid or liquid mass are blocked by (and block) the walls of the cube. Thus, at its second setting (keeps out nonliving matter) the cube cannot normally pass through a 5’ opening in a stone wall. Such creatures may be bull rushed by the cube’s possessor (and may bull rush him). Creatures holding barred objects may similarly bull rush or be bull rushed. • Barred and unattended objects in the path of the cube may be pushed forward or aside (space permitting) as if the possessor were pushing them himself. If the possessor does not have the strength to move the items himself, then the cube is blocked by them. • As with a wall of force, if a barred creature or object is in the path of any of the planes of the cube of force when it is created, the charge will be drained but the cube will fail to manifest. • In addition to the extra charges drained from heavy damage to the cube, any spell or effect barred by the cube that is capable of bringing down a wall of force (including the disintegrate and Mordenkainen’s disjunction spells as well as the rod of cancellation and sphere of annihilation items) will have the same chance to bring down the walls of the cube; this will prevent the cube from operating for 1d4 rounds just as if it had been targeted by a successful dispel magic spell. For example, a cube set to keep out magic is struck by the ray of a disintegrate spell (perhaps accidentally, if the caster didn’t realize the cube was present in the first place and simply targeted someone inside of the cube) cast by a 12th level caster. The ray is barred from reaching its target and instead does 24d6 points of damage to the cube, draining 1 charge for every 10 points of damage beyond 30 as per the rules regarding damage to the cube. In addition, the cube itself is shut down for 1d4 rounds because a disintegrate spell will bring down a wall of force. Effects capable of bringing down a wall of force that do not actually deal any damage (ie dispel magic) do not drain extra charges. A dispel magic spell cast to target the wall generated by the cube will effectively target the cube itself (regardless of which setting the cube is on at the time). A sphere of annihilation or artifact of similar power will shut down the cube and drain all of its charges for the day but will be momentarily stopped by the cube (unable to move any further) for the remainder of the turn.
Werebat 04-03-07, 12:41 AM	*Bump*
ScipioX 04-03-07, 02:28 AM	Looks pretty reasonable Creatures holding barred objects may similarly bull rush or be bull rushed. Might want to specify that bull rushes (I assume) wouldn't provoke attacks of opportunity.
Werebat 04-03-07, 07:54 AM	Looks pretty reasonable Might want to specify that bull rushes (I assume) wouldn't provoke attacks of opportunity. Thx that was my intent but I hadn't written it in. - Ron ^*^
tarkin 04-03-07, 12:07 PM	Cube of Force: Most of what you wrote I found reasonable, with one GLARING exception, Claiming it is a Move Actions to activate/etc is not reasonable. This should be like almost all other items, a Standard Action to activate. Magic item rules are clear: Default activation is Standard Action. When it is not a standard action, it is expressely said what it is. Then it is usually a Free Action. I can not think of a single item off the top of my head that uses a Move Action. There is zero reason, besides the desire of players for a free-magic item, to make it a Move Action. Things that prevent the cube from activating While it is reasonable to say it prevents it and drains a charge, I could also see it doing "no cost" as well. Also note, Line of Effect is a rare thing not to be required. Pretty much everything except [Teleportion] spells need LOE, aside from a few spells like Magic Jar (which only needs LOE for certain things)
Werebat 04-03-07, 02:29 PM	Cube of Force: Most of what you wrote I found reasonable, with one GLARING exception, Claiming it is a Move Actions to activate/etc is not reasonable. This should be like almost all other items, a Standard Action to activate. Magic item rules are clear: Default activation is Standard Action. When it is not a standard action, it is expressely said what it is. Then it is usually a Free Action. I can not think of a single item off the top of my head that uses a Move Action. There is zero reason, besides the desire of players for a free-magic item, to make it a Move Action. LOL, I originally set it as a Standard Action, and yeah, the player did suggest making it a Move Action, presumably so he could combine (de)activation with casting spells. I hadn't noticed that few if any other magic items activate as move equivalents, although I can think of a few that don't specifically say that activation is a Standard Action (Elemental Gem, and I think Figurine of Wondrous Power). Things that prevent the cube from activating While it is reasonable to say it prevents it and drains a charge, I could also see it doing "no cost" as well. Yeah, I could go either way. I guess if I made activation a Standard Action I could give the cube a break on this one and keep it from draining charges. It doesn't matter much because either way the owner will avoid activating when they can't. Also note, Line of Effect is a rare thing not to be required. Pretty much everything except [Teleportion] spells need LOE, aside from a few spells like Magic Jar (which only needs LOE for certain things) I think gaze attacks go through a Wall of Force, and thus do not require a Line of Effect. That being said, yeah, it won't come up much -- it'd be more likely that an enemy would Dimension Door or Teleport INTO the cube. - Ron ^*^