Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gnarl 01-22-08, 10:19 AM	Hi, Are you considered balancing when in a grease spell? Do you need to make balance checks when attacked? Do you lose your dexterity bonus to AC? Is there a spell that does this? Thank you for your help, Gnarl
T_Stalker 01-22-08, 10:33 AM	Have you looked at the spell description? It says so right there. http://www.d20srd.com Might want to check it out, since finding the answer to that question on that site would have been easier then come posting here. Or, you might want to, I don't know, check the spell description in the PHB.
Gnarl 01-22-08, 10:48 AM	Have you looked at the spell description? It says so right there. http://www.d20srd.com Might want to check it out, since finding the answer to that question on that site would have been easier then come posting here. Or, you might want to, I don't know, check the spell description in the PHB. It only says that it requires a balance check. It does not say that whether you are 'balancing' or not. It does not say that if you are standing in the middle of a grease spell you need to make a balance check whenever you are struck nor whether you retain your dexterity bonus to AC. That's why I'm asking :D.
Slimgauge 01-22-08, 12:28 PM	It only says that it requires a balance check. It does not say that whether you are 'balancing' or not. It does not say that if you are standing in the middle of a grease spell you need to make a balance check whenever you are struck nor whether you retain your dexterity bonus to AC. That's why I'm asking :D. I'd say you're not considered 'balancing'. Here's why. In the Online SRD balance skill section (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/balance.htm), the two conditions that call for a balance check are 'narrow surface' (<=12 inches wide) or when running or charging across a 'difficult surface'. Walking across a difficult surface does not require a check and failure to run or charge carries no penalty beyond not being allowed to run or charge. In the Online SRD grease spell description (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/grease.htm) it calls for a REFLEX save (not a balance check) when the spell is cast and calls for a balance check when walking (moving at half speed) implying that running and charging are right out. Failure means a fall. The grease spell obviously doesn't make the surface you're standing on narrow, but does make it even more difficult that a 'difficult surface', but does not make one considered 'balancing' if one meerly stands in it. No mention is made in either place about penalties to attacking. If you tried to use the 'accellerated movement' portion of the balance skill rules to move at more than half speed in the grease, if the DM allowed it (since that's technically not RAW) THEN you might be considered balancing. EDIT: I yield to the FAQ answer, below
Vegepygmy 01-22-08, 12:36 PM	3.5 FAQ: Is a character in the area of a grease spell considered flat-footed? Yes. Any character who is attacked while balancing is considered flat-footed unless he has 5 or more ranks of Balance (Player’s Handbook, page 67). If a creature standing in the area of a grease spell takes damage, does it have to succeed on a DC 10 Balance check or fall down? Yes. Any creature who takes damage while balancing must make another Balance check against the same DC (in this case, 10) to remain standing (Player’s Handbook, page 67).