Blinding Color Surge (PHB2) question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blinding Color Surge (PHB2) question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MOTHdevil
04-22-07, 11:37 AM I imagine this has already been gone over before, but does anyone know what WOTC intended in governing the secondary spell effect of BCS?

(excerpt in question)
You also gain the benefit of invisibility for the duration of the spell, even if the target creature succeeds on its save...

This effect remains at the duration of 1 rd/level.

Since the thematics and primary effect for the spell indicate a surge causing blindness, I would think it stands to reason the target considers you invisible, with no disrupting of the effect until the duration ends. (i.e. the invisibility effect specified works as per PH's Greater Invisibility, against that one specific target.)

But the problem is, I'm second guessing that, since the description rather vaguely has an italicized (but lower case) "invisibilty." But still, the effect of a blinding surge suddenly being rendered inert because I attacked my target in a subsequent round seems pretty absurd.

One of the more rules-savvy guys in my group agrees with me and thinks the Greater Invisibility effect is the one implied, since it's only against a single target and therefore balanced.

Any other schools of thought on this?
jaelis
04-22-07, 11:42 AM You have a chance to make the target blind. You also become invisible for 1 round per level. The invisibility effect applies to everyone, not just the target.

Compared to regular invisibility, you're trading a shorter duration for an offensive side effect.
CantripN
04-22-07, 11:49 AM The flavor is that you "toss" your colour at the target, becoming invisible for a while in turn. You really are invisible, as per Invisibility, to all. The act of tossing colour at the target may blind him, as well.
MOTHdevil
04-22-07, 12:02 PM Ah... So the two effects are mutually exclusive of each other. I didn't really get that, but as written, yeah that makes sense.

Thanks, guys. :)

(not nearly as good a spell as I thought, considering I already have good ol' fashioned regular vanilla Invisibility.)
SunTzuWarmaster
04-22-07, 05:40 PM Step 1 - Throw color at enemy (flavor)
Step 1a - you are now Invisible (as per the Invisibility spell, with decreased duration)

Step 2 - opponent makes Will save
Step 2a - if fail, target is blind for 1 round.
Step 2b - if make, target procedes normally (although cannot see you because you are invisible).

Step 3 - procede with the rest of the round (typically moving out of threatened range without provoking AoOs because you are invisible).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MOTHdevil 04-22-07, 11:37 AM	I imagine this has already been gone over before, but does anyone know what WOTC intended in governing the secondary spell effect of BCS? (excerpt in question) You also gain the benefit of invisibility for the duration of the spell, even if the target creature succeeds on its save... This effect remains at the duration of 1 rd/level. Since the thematics and primary effect for the spell indicate a surge causing blindness, I would think it stands to reason the target considers you invisible, with no disrupting of the effect until the duration ends. (i.e. the invisibility effect specified works as per PH's Greater Invisibility, against that one specific target.) But the problem is, I'm second guessing that, since the description rather vaguely has an italicized (but lower case) "invisibilty." But still, the effect of a blinding surge suddenly being rendered inert because I attacked my target in a subsequent round seems pretty absurd. One of the more rules-savvy guys in my group agrees with me and thinks the Greater Invisibility effect is the one implied, since it's only against a single target and therefore balanced. Any other schools of thought on this?
jaelis 04-22-07, 11:42 AM	You have a chance to make the target blind. You also become invisible for 1 round per level. The invisibility effect applies to everyone, not just the target. Compared to regular invisibility, you're trading a shorter duration for an offensive side effect.
CantripN 04-22-07, 11:49 AM	The flavor is that you "toss" your colour at the target, becoming invisible for a while in turn. You really are invisible, as per Invisibility, to all. The act of tossing colour at the target may blind him, as well.
MOTHdevil 04-22-07, 12:02 PM	Ah... So the two effects are mutually exclusive of each other. I didn't really get that, but as written, yeah that makes sense. Thanks, guys. :) (not nearly as good a spell as I thought, considering I already have good ol' fashioned regular vanilla Invisibility.)
SunTzuWarmaster 04-22-07, 05:40 PM	Step 1 - Throw color at enemy (flavor) Step 1a - you are now Invisible (as per the Invisibility spell, with decreased duration) Step 2 - opponent makes Will save Step 2a - if fail, target is blind for 1 round. Step 2b - if make, target procedes normally (although cannot see you because you are invisible). Step 3 - procede with the rest of the round (typically moving out of threatened range without provoking AoOs because you are invisible).