Can spells with a verbal component be cast underwater? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can spells with a verbal component be cast underwater? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Pyrolocutus
06-11-06, 01:17 AM As the topic says. If it matters, spells like Water Breathing have a verbal component. I'd appreciate it if anyone who says yes could perhaps cite an offical wizards book.
questionc
06-11-06, 05:08 AM Sorry to be the guy saying no, but... no.

Anyhow, here's the pertinent srd text.A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. A silence spell or a gag spoils the incantation (and thus the spell). A spellcaster who has been deafened has a 20% chance to spoil any spell with a verbal component that he or she tries to cast.
Seeker95
06-11-06, 08:41 AM I have a slightly different take on the matter, but only slightly. If you can breathe under water, you can cast spells with a verbal component. Otherwise, you can't.

Casting water breathing requires that you be above water at the time of casting. If you want an emergency version of the spell, that's what contingency is for.
Roxlimn
06-11-06, 09:48 AM No rule exists to say that you can't cast spells when you can't breathe, so it's probably going to have to be house-ruled. I would say yes, for the sake of simplicity.
Pyrolocutus
06-11-06, 12:53 PM Sorry to be the guy saying no, but... no.

Anyhow, here's the pertinent srd text.

One point that was brought up is that it doesn't necessarily invalidate being able to cast spells underwater. As long as you have oxygen in your lungs, it should be possible to "speak strongly", it's just what you say will be distorted when it hits the water. Plus you'll run out of oxygen quicker, of course.
Decree Of Boredom
06-11-06, 10:47 PM No rule exists to say that you can't cast spells when you can't breathe, so it's probably going to have to be house-ruled. I would say yes, for the sake of simplicity.
But unless you can speak without oxygen, I doubt you can give verbal components. A warforged or a zombie could pull it, and I'd let an aquatic race do it any day, but otherwise, no spells for you.
Pandaemoni
06-11-06, 11:46 PM One point that was brought up is that it doesn't necessarily invalidate being able to cast spells underwater. As long as you have oxygen in your lungs, it should be possible to "speak strongly", it's just what you say will be distorted when it hits the water. Plus you'll run out of oxygen quicker, of course.

At the very least the water should give you at leat the same 20% failure chance as deafness (because you can't really hear what you're saying (at least not properly)). Due to the mechanical difficulty of speaking underwater, I'd think the chance should be greater.

Personally, I'd rule the water as being akin to a "gag" for anyone not able to breathe normally in the water.
Loki5654
06-12-06, 01:28 AM How about a Concentration check DC20+Spell's Level. And if you fail and lose the spell you also subtract the spell's level from the total number of rounds you can hold your breath.

Just a thought.
Seeker95
06-12-06, 10:21 AM As the most recent replies sugget: It is a DM's decision. Any ruling is a houserule.
DeVir
06-12-06, 01:36 PM oh yes you can talk underwater :)

we had that problem in our round, so we went to a schwimming pool and tried to talk while diving/underwater, it worked fine ^^
j/k :) hehe

since there is no rule for that and no possible way to make a rule for everything, rule it yourself dear DM - and say "yes, it works" :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pyrolocutus 06-11-06, 01:17 AM	As the topic says. If it matters, spells like Water Breathing have a verbal component. I'd appreciate it if anyone who says yes could perhaps cite an offical wizards book.
questionc 06-11-06, 05:08 AM	Sorry to be the guy saying no, but... no. Anyhow, here's the pertinent srd text.A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. A silence spell or a gag spoils the incantation (and thus the spell). A spellcaster who has been deafened has a 20% chance to spoil any spell with a verbal component that he or she tries to cast.
Seeker95 06-11-06, 08:41 AM	I have a slightly different take on the matter, but only slightly. If you can breathe under water, you can cast spells with a verbal component. Otherwise, you can't. Casting water breathing requires that you be above water at the time of casting. If you want an emergency version of the spell, that's what contingency is for.
Roxlimn 06-11-06, 09:48 AM	No rule exists to say that you can't cast spells when you can't breathe, so it's probably going to have to be house-ruled. I would say yes, for the sake of simplicity.
Pyrolocutus 06-11-06, 12:53 PM	Sorry to be the guy saying no, but... no. Anyhow, here's the pertinent srd text. One point that was brought up is that it doesn't necessarily invalidate being able to cast spells underwater. As long as you have oxygen in your lungs, it should be possible to "speak strongly", it's just what you say will be distorted when it hits the water. Plus you'll run out of oxygen quicker, of course.
Decree Of Boredom 06-11-06, 10:47 PM	No rule exists to say that you can't cast spells when you can't breathe, so it's probably going to have to be house-ruled. I would say yes, for the sake of simplicity. But unless you can speak without oxygen, I doubt you can give verbal components. A warforged or a zombie could pull it, and I'd let an aquatic race do it any day, but otherwise, no spells for you.
Pandaemoni 06-11-06, 11:46 PM	One point that was brought up is that it doesn't necessarily invalidate being able to cast spells underwater. As long as you have oxygen in your lungs, it should be possible to "speak strongly", it's just what you say will be distorted when it hits the water. Plus you'll run out of oxygen quicker, of course. At the very least the water should give you at leat the same 20% failure chance as deafness (because you can't really hear what you're saying (at least not properly)). Due to the mechanical difficulty of speaking underwater, I'd think the chance should be greater. Personally, I'd rule the water as being akin to a "gag" for anyone not able to breathe normally in the water.
Loki5654 06-12-06, 01:28 AM	How about a Concentration check DC20+Spell's Level. And if you fail and lose the spell you also subtract the spell's level from the total number of rounds you can hold your breath. Just a thought.
Seeker95 06-12-06, 10:21 AM	As the most recent replies sugget: It is a DM's decision. Any ruling is a houserule.
DeVir 06-12-06, 01:36 PM	oh yes you can talk underwater :) we had that problem in our round, so we went to a schwimming pool and tried to talk while diving/underwater, it worked fine ^^ j/k :) hehe since there is no rule for that and no possible way to make a rule for everything, rule it yourself dear DM - and say "yes, it works" :)