Aiming/Targeting Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Aiming/Targeting Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
OgreBane99
12-26-06, 01:35 PM I don't know if this has already been covered (and I believe it probably has), but as I have no way to search, I can't know.

Anyways, I'm wondering how other DMs or groups handle aiming and targeting spells? Currently, I allow the caster to pick any place he wants and that's where the spell happens, no mater how long the player takes to pick the exact perfect spot where the spell affects the baddies but not the allies. This seems a bit of a stretch to me, and I'd like to find a better system. During the chaos of battle, a character doesn't have 10 minutes to plot out angles and draw out his area of affect spell to make sure it hits only who he wants it to hit.

So does anyone maybe use a skill system to solve this? Perhaps a Spot check to aim where you want it? Or Spellcraft? Or maybe a whole brand new skill? Maybe a feat that allows you to cast where you want? Or does anyone just use a random system to see where exactly the spell falls? Or, just maybe, I'm being to picky on this and I should just let it go?
Vegepygmy
12-26-06, 03:30 PM Currently, I allow the caster to pick any place he wants and that's where the spell happens, no mater how long the player takes to pick the exact perfect spot where the spell affects the baddies but not the allies.It shouldn't take all that long. Remember, area spells always originate from a grid intersection. So there are a very limited number of possible "spots" the player can choose from.

Also, these are totally cool and can help speed things up tremendously: http://www.steelsqwire.com/prod02.htm
Seeker95
12-27-06, 09:54 AM I allow any *player* 30 seconds to describe his (or her) action when I call on him (or her) in the initiative order. This includes declaration of the action and identification of any locations, targets, etc. This 30 seconds does not require that the declared actions be resolved -- dice rolls are "after the action".
Thomas_Covenant
12-27-06, 09:59 AM If it's taking that long and causing problems, seriously consider using templates for cones/spheres/etc.
There's no reason it should take long for placement of AoE spells.

I think 30 seconds is awfully short. As a DM I try to keep in mind the characters know their tactics and spells much better than the player running them, so I allow fair leeway. Once you get more than 4 players though, a strict time limit may well be necessary.
risner
12-27-06, 02:12 PM Or, just maybe, I'm being to picky on this and I should just let it go?

I think you may be too picky. If it is a drag on the game (10 minutes per player), then you may want to start a egg timer (vapor or real) on each player to speed them up.

Look at it this way, the very best chess players don't think 10 minutes on a move, they have a hunch. They can quickly find great moves. Think of the wizards as very good chess players. They can quickly think of the best place to position their spells (in 6 seconds or less) regardless of us mundane level 1 commoners playing the character taking 10 minutes to dream up the best spot.
belewda
12-27-06, 02:29 PM This is slightly off-topic but our DM gives us each about a minute to declare our action once he gets to us. He does make sure to warn folks "ok ed, what do you do? john, you're next get ready." so it isn't a big deal. I do think that if you take more than a minjute to place your spell on the map then you're pushing your luck. Of course, the argument that the wizard is better at it than the player is also pretty valid.

I recommend letting them tweak it as much as they like within reason, setting some time limit that isn't too restrictive and giving them fair warning that their time is going to begin soon.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
OgreBane99 12-26-06, 01:35 PM	I don't know if this has already been covered (and I believe it probably has), but as I have no way to search, I can't know. Anyways, I'm wondering how other DMs or groups handle aiming and targeting spells? Currently, I allow the caster to pick any place he wants and that's where the spell happens, no mater how long the player takes to pick the exact perfect spot where the spell affects the baddies but not the allies. This seems a bit of a stretch to me, and I'd like to find a better system. During the chaos of battle, a character doesn't have 10 minutes to plot out angles and draw out his area of affect spell to make sure it hits only who he wants it to hit. So does anyone maybe use a skill system to solve this? Perhaps a Spot check to aim where you want it? Or Spellcraft? Or maybe a whole brand new skill? Maybe a feat that allows you to cast where you want? Or does anyone just use a random system to see where exactly the spell falls? Or, just maybe, I'm being to picky on this and I should just let it go?
Vegepygmy 12-26-06, 03:30 PM	Currently, I allow the caster to pick any place he wants and that's where the spell happens, no mater how long the player takes to pick the exact perfect spot where the spell affects the baddies but not the allies.It shouldn't take all that long. Remember, area spells always originate from a grid intersection. So there are a very limited number of possible "spots" the player can choose from. Also, these are totally cool and can help speed things up tremendously: http://www.steelsqwire.com/prod02.htm
Seeker95 12-27-06, 09:54 AM	I allow any player 30 seconds to describe his (or her) action when I call on him (or her) in the initiative order. This includes declaration of the action and identification of any locations, targets, etc. This 30 seconds does not require that the declared actions be resolved -- dice rolls are "after the action".
Thomas_Covenant 12-27-06, 09:59 AM	If it's taking that long and causing problems, seriously consider using templates for cones/spheres/etc. There's no reason it should take long for placement of AoE spells. I think 30 seconds is awfully short. As a DM I try to keep in mind the characters know their tactics and spells much better than the player running them, so I allow fair leeway. Once you get more than 4 players though, a strict time limit may well be necessary.
risner 12-27-06, 02:12 PM	Or, just maybe, I'm being to picky on this and I should just let it go? I think you may be too picky. If it is a drag on the game (10 minutes per player), then you may want to start a egg timer (vapor or real) on each player to speed them up. Look at it this way, the very best chess players don't think 10 minutes on a move, they have a hunch. They can quickly find great moves. Think of the wizards as very good chess players. They can quickly think of the best place to position their spells (in 6 seconds or less) regardless of us mundane level 1 commoners playing the character taking 10 minutes to dream up the best spot.
belewda 12-27-06, 02:29 PM	This is slightly off-topic but our DM gives us each about a minute to declare our action once he gets to us. He does make sure to warn folks "ok ed, what do you do? john, you're next get ready." so it isn't a big deal. I do think that if you take more than a minjute to place your spell on the map then you're pushing your luck. Of course, the argument that the wizard is better at it than the player is also pretty valid. I recommend letting them tweak it as much as they like within reason, setting some time limit that isn't too restrictive and giving them fair warning that their time is going to begin soon.