Archmage and Arcane Reach/Touch spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Archmage and Arcane Reach/Touch spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Father Dale
03-21-05, 06:48 PM One of the Archmage's high arcana abilities is "Arcane Reach." Its description is:

Arcane Reach (Su): The archmage can use spells with a range of touch on a target up to 30 feet away. The archmage must make a ranged touch attack. Arcane reach can be selected a second time as a special ability, in which case the range increases to 60 feet. This ability costs one 7th-level spell slot.

Lets say that the archmage uses this ability to deliver a Bestow Curse spell from 20 feet away. Instead of a melee touch, he makes a ranged touch. However, he misses.

Is the Bestow Curse spell discharged, like a ray spell would be (like Enervation), or would it be held and would he be able to try again next round (like Vampiric Touch?

The entry doesn't say that it turns the touch spell into a ray spell, which would mean that it would be discharged.

There is a metamagic feat that grants a similiar ability called Reach Spell (CD). It says that "the spell effectively becomes a ray so you must succeed on a ranged touch attack..." Here, its pretty specific about it being ray-like; hence I would think that the Reach Spell feat means that a missed ranged attack discharged the spell.

But the Archmage's Arcane Reach doesn't say this. So is it treated the same, such that a missed ranged touch is discharged?

My inclination is to say yes, it is discharged, but feedback would be very much appreciated.
Vatras
03-21-05, 09:40 PM You are allowed to "hold the charge" as described in the PHB, which is not used up when you miss. So you should probably not lose it with arcane reach either.
Vanigo
03-21-05, 09:48 PM Yeah, I'd say you can hold the charge, too. I'd say it's more like having a 30-foot reach with your touch attack than it is like turning your touch attack into a ray.
smrtgmp
03-21-05, 10:15 PM I agree. Its still a touch spell.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Father Dale 03-21-05, 06:48 PM	One of the Archmage's high arcana abilities is "Arcane Reach." Its description is: Arcane Reach (Su): The archmage can use spells with a range of touch on a target up to 30 feet away. The archmage must make a ranged touch attack. Arcane reach can be selected a second time as a special ability, in which case the range increases to 60 feet. This ability costs one 7th-level spell slot. Lets say that the archmage uses this ability to deliver a Bestow Curse spell from 20 feet away. Instead of a melee touch, he makes a ranged touch. However, he misses. Is the Bestow Curse spell discharged, like a ray spell would be (like Enervation), or would it be held and would he be able to try again next round (like Vampiric Touch? The entry doesn't say that it turns the touch spell into a ray spell, which would mean that it would be discharged. There is a metamagic feat that grants a similiar ability called Reach Spell (CD). It says that "the spell effectively becomes a ray so you must succeed on a ranged touch attack..." Here, its pretty specific about it being ray-like; hence I would think that the Reach Spell feat means that a missed ranged attack discharged the spell. But the Archmage's Arcane Reach doesn't say this. So is it treated the same, such that a missed ranged touch is discharged? My inclination is to say yes, it is discharged, but feedback would be very much appreciated.
Vatras 03-21-05, 09:40 PM	You are allowed to "hold the charge" as described in the PHB, which is not used up when you miss. So you should probably not lose it with arcane reach either.
Vanigo 03-21-05, 09:48 PM	Yeah, I'd say you can hold the charge, too. I'd say it's more like having a 30-foot reach with your touch attack than it is like turning your touch attack into a ray.
smrtgmp 03-21-05, 10:15 PM	I agree. Its still a touch spell.