Touch of Idiocy, or Not? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Touch of Idiocy, or Not? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Greyson
05-18-05, 08:14 PM Sorry to pester the board patrons with this question. I would use the Search function to see if it has been asked before, but it is still down.

May a character or Non-Player Character use the spell Touch if Idiocy from the Player's Handbook (page 294)? A player at a table last night indicated it "was banned" when an NPC used it against the party.

I looked through the LGCS ver. 4.2 and did not find it mention of fit. Did I miss it? Did the campaign "ban it"?

Thanks, and happy gaming.
RLWilde
05-18-05, 09:20 PM I did a search on the LGCS for "touch" and did not find a reference to Touch of Idiocy; Touch of Madness is on the "NPCs only" list, so that may be a source of confusion.

As far as I can tell, Touch of Idiocy is perfectly legal in LG.
wagnert
05-19-05, 12:32 PM I did a search on the LGCS for "touch" and did not find a reference to Touch of Idiocy; Touch of Madness is on the "NPCs only" list, so that may be a source of confusion.

As far as I can tell, Touch of Idiocy is perfectly legal in LG.
I've used it in-game and the judge happily allowed it. I was actually the first character to even touch the NPC caster in that combat. It would put a real crimpt into an enchanter/enchantress like my character to lose one of the few enchantment spells at that level. Remember, it is a touch spell not a range spell. However, you are right, they totally missed listing it in the current LGCS. Next revision they need to insert the spell someplace. I do think a safe assumption is that any spell in the PHB not listed in the NPC only, Limited, or Restricted list is Core. Spells from other books on the other hand, if not listed, should be assumed to be Restricted until told otherwise.
Greyson
05-19-05, 02:35 PM Okay, thanks, guys. I agree that the confusion revolves around the listing of Touch of Madness as an NPC Only spell. For us, it wasn't game breaking. But it was awkward enough afterward that I would not want the question to linger if there is a next time.

Thanks again, and happy gaming.
Iswald
05-21-05, 03:14 AM Touch of Idiocy can be pretty harsh. But, it expires eventually and a single lesser restoration will remove the penalty to a caster's primary ability score.
TimRat
05-21-05, 10:57 AM since it is a PHB spell then there is no need for it to be in the LGCS unless it was banned, restricted or anything like that. so since its not in the LGCS you can use it freely.

there was talk at one time about the spell being a bit harsh but we let it go.
Timlagor
06-11-05, 07:16 PM If it's in a module for an NPC to use then you can be pretty damn sure it isn't banned.
King Kashue
06-12-05, 02:39 PM If it's in a module for an NPC to use then you can be pretty damn sure it isn't banned.

A NPC using a spell or PrC certainly doesn't mean a PC can use it though...There is that whole category "NPC only"...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Greyson 05-18-05, 08:14 PM	Sorry to pester the board patrons with this question. I would use the Search function to see if it has been asked before, but it is still down. May a character or Non-Player Character use the spell Touch if Idiocy from the Player's Handbook (page 294)? A player at a table last night indicated it "was banned" when an NPC used it against the party. I looked through the LGCS ver. 4.2 and did not find it mention of fit. Did I miss it? Did the campaign "ban it"? Thanks, and happy gaming.
RLWilde 05-18-05, 09:20 PM	I did a search on the LGCS for "touch" and did not find a reference to Touch of Idiocy; Touch of Madness is on the "NPCs only" list, so that may be a source of confusion. As far as I can tell, Touch of Idiocy is perfectly legal in LG.
wagnert 05-19-05, 12:32 PM	I did a search on the LGCS for "touch" and did not find a reference to Touch of Idiocy; Touch of Madness is on the "NPCs only" list, so that may be a source of confusion. As far as I can tell, Touch of Idiocy is perfectly legal in LG. I've used it in-game and the judge happily allowed it. I was actually the first character to even touch the NPC caster in that combat. It would put a real crimpt into an enchanter/enchantress like my character to lose one of the few enchantment spells at that level. Remember, it is a touch spell not a range spell. However, you are right, they totally missed listing it in the current LGCS. Next revision they need to insert the spell someplace. I do think a safe assumption is that any spell in the PHB not listed in the NPC only, Limited, or Restricted list is Core. Spells from other books on the other hand, if not listed, should be assumed to be Restricted until told otherwise.
Greyson 05-19-05, 02:35 PM	Okay, thanks, guys. I agree that the confusion revolves around the listing of Touch of Madness as an NPC Only spell. For us, it wasn't game breaking. But it was awkward enough afterward that I would not want the question to linger if there is a next time. Thanks again, and happy gaming.
Iswald 05-21-05, 03:14 AM	Touch of Idiocy can be pretty harsh. But, it expires eventually and a single lesser restoration will remove the penalty to a caster's primary ability score.
TimRat 05-21-05, 10:57 AM	since it is a PHB spell then there is no need for it to be in the LGCS unless it was banned, restricted or anything like that. so since its not in the LGCS you can use it freely. there was talk at one time about the spell being a bit harsh but we let it go.
Timlagor 06-11-05, 07:16 PM	If it's in a module for an NPC to use then you can be pretty damn sure it isn't banned.
King Kashue 06-12-05, 02:39 PM	If it's in a module for an NPC to use then you can be pretty damn sure it isn't banned. A NPC using a spell or PrC certainly doesn't mean a PC can use it though...There is that whole category "NPC only"...