Blade Barrier spell [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blade Barrier spell [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aylwin
08-28-07, 08:00 AM I have a player in my game who plays a battle cleric. One of his favorite spells is Blade Barrier, which he insists can be cast so that it twists and winds it's way through a room so that you can hit multiple targets. He also insisted (and I quickly shot him down on this point) that if you fail the intial saving throw when it is cast in someones square, they take full damage, and then they have to make another saving throw the next round taking full or half damage.

I can't find anything in the description of the spell that says you can't zig zag the barrier. (or any other wall spell for that matter) Does anyone know if there is an "official" answer to this?

Aylwin
Gold Katana
08-28-07, 09:07 AM An immobile, vertical curtain of whirling blades shaped of pure force springs into existence. Any creature passing through the wall takes 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 15d6), with a Reflex save for half damage.
If you evoke the barrier so that it appears where creatures are, each creature takes damage as if passing through the wall. Each such creature can avoid the wall (ending up on the side of its choice) and thus take no damage by making a successful Reflex save.

I find no RAW definition of "wall" in D&D, however I take it to mean a FLAT surface. IMC, this would fall under Rule 0 and that would be my ruling. In nearly 30 years of playing, I've never had a player attempt to snake the wall, though.

When the spell is cast, any threatened creatures make a saving throw. Success means no damage, pick a side.
Pindar
08-28-07, 09:10 AM Well the spell already says what happens when you cast on an area where someone is so either he hasn't actually read the spell or hoped you hadn't.

Under effect in the spell description there is no S which means it isn't shapeable.

So you get a straight line or a circle.
Gold Katana
08-28-07, 09:20 AM Ah, yes - the old "S" factor. Good call, Pindar!
tarkin
08-28-07, 10:54 AM Please note, that if the player is smart he will take the feat Sculpt Spell from Complete Arcane.

While this won't entirely do what he wants, it will make the Blade Barrier much more shapeable than it is now.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aylwin 08-28-07, 08:00 AM	I have a player in my game who plays a battle cleric. One of his favorite spells is Blade Barrier, which he insists can be cast so that it twists and winds it's way through a room so that you can hit multiple targets. He also insisted (and I quickly shot him down on this point) that if you fail the intial saving throw when it is cast in someones square, they take full damage, and then they have to make another saving throw the next round taking full or half damage. I can't find anything in the description of the spell that says you can't zig zag the barrier. (or any other wall spell for that matter) Does anyone know if there is an "official" answer to this? Aylwin
Gold Katana 08-28-07, 09:07 AM	An immobile, vertical curtain of whirling blades shaped of pure force springs into existence. Any creature passing through the wall takes 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 15d6), with a Reflex save for half damage. If you evoke the barrier so that it appears where creatures are, each creature takes damage as if passing through the wall. Each such creature can avoid the wall (ending up on the side of its choice) and thus take no damage by making a successful Reflex save. I find no RAW definition of "wall" in D&D, however I take it to mean a FLAT surface. IMC, this would fall under Rule 0 and that would be my ruling. In nearly 30 years of playing, I've never had a player attempt to snake the wall, though. When the spell is cast, any threatened creatures make a saving throw. Success means no damage, pick a side.
Pindar 08-28-07, 09:10 AM	Well the spell already says what happens when you cast on an area where someone is so either he hasn't actually read the spell or hoped you hadn't. Under effect in the spell description there is no S which means it isn't shapeable. So you get a straight line or a circle.
Gold Katana 08-28-07, 09:20 AM	Ah, yes - the old "S" factor. Good call, Pindar!
tarkin 08-28-07, 10:54 AM	Please note, that if the player is smart he will take the feat Sculpt Spell from Complete Arcane. While this won't entirely do what he wants, it will make the Blade Barrier much more shapeable than it is now.