Area affected by Call Lightning [Archive] - Wizards Community

Area affected by Call Lightning [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
squishycube
04-29-04, 09:22 AM Recently I had a discussion about the Area affected by a call lightning (or any spell with a 5 ft. diameter)
There are a few things:
1. A spell with a 5 ft. diameter can never affect more than 25% of a singe square if it is aimed at a square intersection, which spells should be, according to PHB.
2. The PHB also stated that a if a squares far end is touched by a spell, it is affected, if the spell only touches the closest edge, the square is unaffected. This means that, technically, a bolt from Call Lightning could never affect anything at all, if it is aimed to a square intersection.

This would mean a few things:
1. You need to go against the rules and aim the spell at a square center to hit anything
2. The rules about things that are counted from the center of squares state that merely touching the edge of a space is enough (eg. to stop a charge), so it would be possible to hit as much as 4 creatures

Anyone got an idea how to handle this situation?
Gold Katana
04-29-04, 10:20 AM Immediately upon completion of the spell, and once per round thereafter, you may call down a 5-foot-wide, 30-foot-long, vertical bolt of lightning that deals 3d6 points of electricity damage. The bolt of lightning flashes down in a vertical stroke at whatever target point you choose within the spell's range (measured from your position at the time). Any creature in the target square or in the path of the bolt is affected.

You should target a square, not an intersection.
The_Ditto
04-29-04, 10:29 AM a 5' radius spell (or power - the only one that comes readily to mind is Psionic Power: Energy Stun) ... affects 4 squares ...

xx
xx

Because it's an area spell, you choose a vertex as the target point.

Call Lightning however, is NOT an area spell (strangely enough) ..

Check out the stat block on Call Lightning ..
Range .. check
Effect .. check
Area? ... nope ..

As a constrast, check out Fireball:
Range .. check
Area ... check
Effect ... nope ..

Tells you something, doesn't it??
:smirk:

And as Gold Katana pointed out, in the description it talks about a single, target square ...

Also note, that according to the wording, anyone that's floating/hoverig or flying 30' above that target square will also get "hit" ... since they're in the "path affected" ... (again, note they don't use the word: "area" ...
NightScreamer20
04-29-04, 12:49 PM Ya, each bolt of call lightning is ment for a single ground-based target whether it be the ground itself (in order to hit airborne enemies) or a creature.

Though I did like it when it used to be 10 ft. x 30 ft. and targetted upon an intersection...A bolt of lightning creates an immense amount of heat as well as electrical shock around the area that it strikes...but that is reality, not dnd...so meh.
RodIshiCi
04-29-04, 05:41 PM Well, technically, the bolts called with Call Lightning are area damage since they are 30 ft. long and you could strike 6 medium creatures with each bolt, as long they stay flying one over the other. :D
But, yes, anything that has a 5 ft. wide effect should be targeted in the center of a square, not at an intersection.

I wonder how line effects would work exactly, tough. When it strikes exactly at an intersection, it affects all the four squares surrounding it. Might it would be 10 ft. wide if shot straight to north?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
squishycube 04-29-04, 09:22 AM	Recently I had a discussion about the Area affected by a call lightning (or any spell with a 5 ft. diameter) There are a few things: 1. A spell with a 5 ft. diameter can never affect more than 25% of a singe square if it is aimed at a square intersection, which spells should be, according to PHB. 2. The PHB also stated that a if a squares far end is touched by a spell, it is affected, if the spell only touches the closest edge, the square is unaffected. This means that, technically, a bolt from Call Lightning could never affect anything at all, if it is aimed to a square intersection. This would mean a few things: 1. You need to go against the rules and aim the spell at a square center to hit anything 2. The rules about things that are counted from the center of squares state that merely touching the edge of a space is enough (eg. to stop a charge), so it would be possible to hit as much as 4 creatures Anyone got an idea how to handle this situation?
Gold Katana 04-29-04, 10:20 AM	Immediately upon completion of the spell, and once per round thereafter, you may call down a 5-foot-wide, 30-foot-long, vertical bolt of lightning that deals 3d6 points of electricity damage. The bolt of lightning flashes down in a vertical stroke at whatever target point you choose within the spell's range (measured from your position at the time). Any creature in the target square or in the path of the bolt is affected. You should target a square, not an intersection.
The_Ditto 04-29-04, 10:29 AM	a 5' radius spell (or power - the only one that comes readily to mind is Psionic Power: Energy Stun) ... affects 4 squares ... xx xx Because it's an area spell, you choose a vertex as the target point. Call Lightning however, is NOT an area spell (strangely enough) .. Check out the stat block on Call Lightning .. Range .. check Effect .. check Area? ... nope .. As a constrast, check out Fireball: Range .. check Area ... check Effect ... nope .. Tells you something, doesn't it?? :smirk: And as Gold Katana pointed out, in the description it talks about a single, target square ... Also note, that according to the wording, anyone that's floating/hoverig or flying 30' above that target square will also get "hit" ... since they're in the "path affected" ... (again, note they don't use the word: "area" ...
NightScreamer20 04-29-04, 12:49 PM	Ya, each bolt of call lightning is ment for a single ground-based target whether it be the ground itself (in order to hit airborne enemies) or a creature. Though I did like it when it used to be 10 ft. x 30 ft. and targetted upon an intersection...A bolt of lightning creates an immense amount of heat as well as electrical shock around the area that it strikes...but that is reality, not dnd...so meh.
RodIshiCi 04-29-04, 05:41 PM	Well, technically, the bolts called with Call Lightning are area damage since they are 30 ft. long and you could strike 6 medium creatures with each bolt, as long they stay flying one over the other. :D But, yes, anything that has a 5 ft. wide effect should be targeted in the center of a square, not at an intersection. I wonder how line effects would work exactly, tough. When it strikes exactly at an intersection, it affects all the four squares surrounding it. Might it would be 10 ft. wide if shot straight to north?