Command, 3.0 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Command, 3.0 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DM Zoc
03-01-04, 04:28 AM According to the rules, you either know a language or you don't; if you know how to speak it at all, then your vocabulary covers everything.

By the 3.0 wording, Command can be used as a sort of one-shot kill in certain situations; for example, if you're in a tower, you can Command your enemy to autodefenestrate, and if he knows one lick of common then he'll probably die. Are there any other situations where the correct word can make something way too easy?
Seeker95
03-01-04, 10:16 AM autodefenestrate will not work in the command spell. Although the word is clear enough in its meaning, the outcome is sure to result in certain death*, and as such, would not work.

*Assuming the window is high enough off the ground that the commanded creature would associate the drop with death. The command would be very useful for removing an opponent from a first or second story room with a window.
DM Zoc
03-01-04, 11:31 PM This would cause a bonus of 4 to the saving throw, at most, right? I can't find anything in 3.0 Command that stops people from killing themselves.
Boudewijn Brendergast
03-02-04, 03:15 AM IMO if a player uses a word that would make me, the DM, go "Duh????", the command spell wouldn't work.
In our group a player chooses to word the command spell in english or dutch, but once chosen, can't change.

Although english isn't my first language, I seriously doubt that many people whose is know what autodefenestrate means... Apart from those that read these boards...
Seeker95
03-02-04, 09:02 AM Originally posted by Boudewijn Brendergast
IMO if a player uses a word that would make me, the DM, go "Duh????", the command spell wouldn't work.
So, in your campaign world, command is more useful if your DM is a genius, and less useful if your DM scores low on the verbal.

In game mechanics terms, this would also imply that command works better on creatures with a high intelligence and poorly on creatures with a low intelligence. Interesting -- a mental domination spell that works better if your opponent is smarter than you. :P
Boudewijn Brendergast
03-02-04, 09:20 AM :bounce:

You take it one step further than what I meant, but I see your point.

I like to see myself as not being one of the dumber people, but if a player would come up with a word like that and I really wouldn't have a clue what it means, the target of the spell probably won't either. If the other players start laughing at me for not knowing the word, I would be persuaded to allow the use of it effectively...

But, yes, if you'd use "autodefenestrate" against a creature with intelligence 3 I'd probably have him give you a good thumping "for using big words".
On a wizard with a high intelligence I would allow it, maybe even if you'd have to explain to me exactly what you want him to do.
Darkwin6
03-02-04, 12:43 PM www.dictionary.com claims autodefenestrate to be two words.
auto defenestrate

Also:
It's definition of defenestrate is:
To throw out of a window.

This could easily cause the DM to roll a grapple check, because what's getting thrown out the window might just be YOU! :devil:
Seeker95
03-02-04, 01:22 PM Originally posted by Darkwin6
This could easily cause the DM to roll a grapple check, because what's getting thrown out the window might just be YOU! :devil: Assuming the command to autodefenestrate is allowed, the target will have to make an opposed grapple check anyway! The DM just needs to make sure the target declares in advance which hand is rolling the grapple check, and which is rolling the opposing check!
primemover003
03-02-04, 03:35 PM I as the DM would drop a heavy piller on you if you used that in a game. I didn't even know what it meant till the definition was posted. There is Common and there is Common. Autodefenestrate is hardly a common word. I'd cause the creature to act confused for one round and do nothing. K.I.S.S.
RLWilde
03-03-04, 12:04 AM Originally posted by Seeker95
In game mechanics terms, this would also imply that command works better on creatures with a high intelligence and poorly on creatures with a low intelligence. Interesting -- a mental domination spell that works better if your opponent is smarter than you.
Except that more intelligent characters are more likely to gravitate towards the classes with better Will saves... so while the spell may work better, it also works less often.
DM Zoc
03-03-04, 12:22 AM Actually, I was just abusing the fact that there are no degrees of competence in language skills; you either know everything or you know nothing.
primemover003
03-03-04, 05:52 PM That's what the DM's job is... to adjucate the response of each and every NPC and monster. So if you confuse your DM you confuse the NPC/Monster.

We don't like being confused, see. Vinny Remove his Dice...:sad: :OMG! :dice: :dice: :bigeyes:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DM Zoc 03-01-04, 04:28 AM	According to the rules, you either know a language or you don't; if you know how to speak it at all, then your vocabulary covers everything. By the 3.0 wording, Command can be used as a sort of one-shot kill in certain situations; for example, if you're in a tower, you can Command your enemy to autodefenestrate, and if he knows one lick of common then he'll probably die. Are there any other situations where the correct word can make something way too easy?
Seeker95 03-01-04, 10:16 AM	autodefenestrate will not work in the command spell. Although the word is clear enough in its meaning, the outcome is sure to result in certain death, and as such, would not work. Assuming the window is high enough off the ground that the commanded creature would associate the drop with death. The command would be very useful for removing an opponent from a first or second story room with a window.
DM Zoc 03-01-04, 11:31 PM	This would cause a bonus of 4 to the saving throw, at most, right? I can't find anything in 3.0 Command that stops people from killing themselves.
Boudewijn Brendergast 03-02-04, 03:15 AM	IMO if a player uses a word that would make me, the DM, go "Duh????", the command spell wouldn't work. In our group a player chooses to word the command spell in english or dutch, but once chosen, can't change. Although english isn't my first language, I seriously doubt that many people whose is know what autodefenestrate means... Apart from those that read these boards...
Seeker95 03-02-04, 09:02 AM	Originally posted by Boudewijn Brendergast IMO if a player uses a word that would make me, the DM, go "Duh????", the command spell wouldn't work. So, in your campaign world, command is more useful if your DM is a genius, and less useful if your DM scores low on the verbal. In game mechanics terms, this would also imply that command works better on creatures with a high intelligence and poorly on creatures with a low intelligence. Interesting -- a mental domination spell that works better if your opponent is smarter than you. :P
Boudewijn Brendergast 03-02-04, 09:20 AM	:bounce: You take it one step further than what I meant, but I see your point. I like to see myself as not being one of the dumber people, but if a player would come up with a word like that and I really wouldn't have a clue what it means, the target of the spell probably won't either. If the other players start laughing at me for not knowing the word, I would be persuaded to allow the use of it effectively... But, yes, if you'd use "autodefenestrate" against a creature with intelligence 3 I'd probably have him give you a good thumping "for using big words". On a wizard with a high intelligence I would allow it, maybe even if you'd have to explain to me exactly what you want him to do.
Darkwin6 03-02-04, 12:43 PM	www.dictionary.com claims autodefenestrate to be two words. auto defenestrate Also: It's definition of defenestrate is: To throw out of a window. This could easily cause the DM to roll a grapple check, because what's getting thrown out the window might just be YOU! :devil:
Seeker95 03-02-04, 01:22 PM	Originally posted by Darkwin6 This could easily cause the DM to roll a grapple check, because what's getting thrown out the window might just be YOU! :devil: Assuming the command to autodefenestrate is allowed, the target will have to make an opposed grapple check anyway! The DM just needs to make sure the target declares in advance which hand is rolling the grapple check, and which is rolling the opposing check!
primemover003 03-02-04, 03:35 PM	I as the DM would drop a heavy piller on you if you used that in a game. I didn't even know what it meant till the definition was posted. There is Common and there is Common. Autodefenestrate is hardly a common word. I'd cause the creature to act confused for one round and do nothing. K.I.S.S.
RLWilde 03-03-04, 12:04 AM	Originally posted by Seeker95 In game mechanics terms, this would also imply that command works better on creatures with a high intelligence and poorly on creatures with a low intelligence. Interesting -- a mental domination spell that works better if your opponent is smarter than you. Except that more intelligent characters are more likely to gravitate towards the classes with better Will saves... so while the spell may work better, it also works less often.
DM Zoc 03-03-04, 12:22 AM	Actually, I was just abusing the fact that there are no degrees of competence in language skills; you either know everything or you know nothing.
primemover003 03-03-04, 05:52 PM	That's what the DM's job is... to adjucate the response of each and every NPC and monster. So if you confuse your DM you confuse the NPC/Monster. We don't like being confused, see. Vinny Remove his Dice...:sad: :OMG! :dice: :dice: :bigeyes: