attack casting [Archive] - Wizards Community

attack casting [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BlaiseC
10-04-04, 02:40 PM I've run into a snag and I'm wondering if it should even be there. When a sorcer casts a ranged attack spell, is it considered a touch attack or a ranged attack? (example would be Ice Knife from Tome and Blood). The DM I've been playing with has been considering most of my spells as touch but in the campaign I'm running, I'm not sure that is how I should be doing it. Also, when we roll for the attack and fail to hit the AC, does that just mean the spell sails off into the stratosphere or do it just fizzle out?

thanks a bunch,
blaise
DemonMonkeyBoy
10-04-04, 02:57 PM :b: Every spell should list the type of attack needed to hit with the spell. The spell you listed says a normal attack is required. If your DM changed this ask him why. Most spells that require an attack are touch attacks range or melee, but not all.

Missing depends on the spell, DM and how you use soft cover rules. Any spell that requires an attack roll I would use the same rules as an other missle weapon.
BlaiseC
10-04-04, 04:02 PM This sentence didn't make as much sense to me as it should have.

Most spells that require an attack are touch attacks range or melee, but not all.

Are you saying that most spells would be considered a "ranged touch" or a "melee touch"? In that case, does the creature use their touch AC or melee AC?
DemonMonkeyBoy
10-04-04, 05:19 PM :b: No, your right that was a bad sentence.

I'll try again. The spell will list if it is a range touch attack or a touch attack (melee). In either case you use the creatures touch AC.

How does that sounds?
kSquared
10-04-04, 05:29 PM A ranged touch attack is identical to a melee touch attack except that the creature doesn't have to be in a square you threaten. Both use touch AC.

As far as I know, there's no such thing as just a "ranged attack" spell. It's either a ranged touch attack or it hits your target with a failed saving throw. Spells with names that include things like ray, arrow, orb are good bets for having ranged touch attacks. Read the description and you'll know for sure.
mbfu3k
10-04-04, 08:00 PM A ranged touch attack is identical to a melee touch attack except that the creature doesn't have to be in a square you threaten.

There's one difference between ranged touch attack spells and melee touch attack spells: melee touch attack spells (ie, spells with a range of Touch) allow you to hold the charge and are not wasted if you miss the attack. Thus, you can keep trying to hit with a touch spell until you make it.

Ranged touch attack spells (eg, rays or most missile spells) and regular ranged attack spells (eg, Ice Knife) are wasted if you miss (unless they specifically state what happens if you miss, as Ice Knife does).
HeavenShallBurn
10-04-04, 08:43 PM As far as I know, there's no such thing as just a "ranged attack" spell.
Best example: "Telekinesis"
kSquared
10-04-04, 09:10 PM HSB, I see your point. :) But I'd question whether that's really a ranged attack as opposed to a specialized attack roll:

You must succeed on attack rolls (one per creature or object thrown) to hit the target with the items, using your base attack bonus + your Intelligence modifier (if a wizard) or Charisma modifier (if a sorcerer).No range increment on telekinesed objects, you don't use Dexterity modifiers, etc. The spell doesn't even contain the word "ranged".

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BlaiseC 10-04-04, 02:40 PM	I've run into a snag and I'm wondering if it should even be there. When a sorcer casts a ranged attack spell, is it considered a touch attack or a ranged attack? (example would be Ice Knife from Tome and Blood). The DM I've been playing with has been considering most of my spells as touch but in the campaign I'm running, I'm not sure that is how I should be doing it. Also, when we roll for the attack and fail to hit the AC, does that just mean the spell sails off into the stratosphere or do it just fizzle out? thanks a bunch, blaise
DemonMonkeyBoy 10-04-04, 02:57 PM	:b: Every spell should list the type of attack needed to hit with the spell. The spell you listed says a normal attack is required. If your DM changed this ask him why. Most spells that require an attack are touch attacks range or melee, but not all. Missing depends on the spell, DM and how you use soft cover rules. Any spell that requires an attack roll I would use the same rules as an other missle weapon.
BlaiseC 10-04-04, 04:02 PM	This sentence didn't make as much sense to me as it should have. Most spells that require an attack are touch attacks range or melee, but not all. Are you saying that most spells would be considered a "ranged touch" or a "melee touch"? In that case, does the creature use their touch AC or melee AC?
DemonMonkeyBoy 10-04-04, 05:19 PM	:b: No, your right that was a bad sentence. I'll try again. The spell will list if it is a range touch attack or a touch attack (melee). In either case you use the creatures touch AC. How does that sounds?
kSquared 10-04-04, 05:29 PM	A ranged touch attack is identical to a melee touch attack except that the creature doesn't have to be in a square you threaten. Both use touch AC. As far as I know, there's no such thing as just a "ranged attack" spell. It's either a ranged touch attack or it hits your target with a failed saving throw. Spells with names that include things like ray, arrow, orb are good bets for having ranged touch attacks. Read the description and you'll know for sure.
mbfu3k 10-04-04, 08:00 PM	A ranged touch attack is identical to a melee touch attack except that the creature doesn't have to be in a square you threaten. There's one difference between ranged touch attack spells and melee touch attack spells: melee touch attack spells (ie, spells with a range of Touch) allow you to hold the charge and are not wasted if you miss the attack. Thus, you can keep trying to hit with a touch spell until you make it. Ranged touch attack spells (eg, rays or most missile spells) and regular ranged attack spells (eg, Ice Knife) are wasted if you miss (unless they specifically state what happens if you miss, as Ice Knife does).
HeavenShallBurn 10-04-04, 08:43 PM	As far as I know, there's no such thing as just a "ranged attack" spell. Best example: "Telekinesis"
kSquared 10-04-04, 09:10 PM	HSB, I see your point. :) But I'd question whether that's really a ranged attack as opposed to a specialized attack roll: You must succeed on attack rolls (one per creature or object thrown) to hit the target with the items, using your base attack bonus + your Intelligence modifier (if a wizard) or Charisma modifier (if a sorcerer).No range increment on telekinesed objects, you don't use Dexterity modifiers, etc. The spell doesn't even contain the word "ranged".