Cones and Cover [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cones and Cover [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fanged Fremont
08-01-05, 03:22 PM Someone casts burning hands. The cone covers an area where a bunny is hiding behind a rock with total concealment. Does the bunny take damage? The spells says anyone in cone, but if the bunny is behind the rock is he in the cone? What if the bunny was behind a gelatinous cube taking up the entire hallway? What if the bunny was behind an ogre.
primemover003
08-01-05, 03:46 PM The Bunny would not take any damage. The only types of spells that can avoid total cover are Spreads, as they turn corners.
Nagol
08-01-05, 03:51 PM Burning Hands is a cone-shaped burst. Bursts will not penetrate total cover (cover -- not concealment) unlike Spreads. So the bunny lives another day in your first two cases.

As for the ogre case, it depends on the ruling whether the ogre provides total cover or not. If he does, then then bunny lives. If he does not, the bunny is crisped.

Here are the relevant sections from the SRD -- I added emphasis to the vital areas.

Burst, Emanation, or Spread: Most spells that affect an area function as a burst, an emanation, or a spread. In each case, you select the spell’s point of origin and measure its effect from that point.
A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, even including creatures that you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners). The default shape for a burst effect is a sphere, but some burst spells are specifically described as cone-shaped. A burst’s area defines how far from the point of origin the spell’s effect extends.
An emanation spell functions like a burst spell, except that the effect continues to radiate from the point of origin for the duration of the spell. Most emanations are cones or spheres.
A spread spell spreads out like a burst but can turn corners. You select the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all directions. Figure the area the spell effect fills by taking into account any turns the spell effect takes.
Cone, Cylinder, Line, or Sphere: Most spells that affect an area have a particular shape, such as a cone, cylinder, line, or sphere.
A cone-shaped spell shoots away from you in a quarter-circle in the direction you designate. It starts from any corner of your square and widens out as it goes. Most cones are either bursts or emanations (see above), and thus won’t go around corners.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fanged Fremont 08-01-05, 03:22 PM	Someone casts burning hands. The cone covers an area where a bunny is hiding behind a rock with total concealment. Does the bunny take damage? The spells says anyone in cone, but if the bunny is behind the rock is he in the cone? What if the bunny was behind a gelatinous cube taking up the entire hallway? What if the bunny was behind an ogre.
primemover003 08-01-05, 03:46 PM	The Bunny would not take any damage. The only types of spells that can avoid total cover are Spreads, as they turn corners.
Nagol 08-01-05, 03:51 PM	Burning Hands is a cone-shaped burst. Bursts will not penetrate total cover (cover -- not concealment) unlike Spreads. So the bunny lives another day in your first two cases. As for the ogre case, it depends on the ruling whether the ogre provides total cover or not. If he does, then then bunny lives. If he does not, the bunny is crisped. Here are the relevant sections from the SRD -- I added emphasis to the vital areas. Burst, Emanation, or Spread: Most spells that affect an area function as a burst, an emanation, or a spread. In each case, you select the spell’s point of origin and measure its effect from that point. A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, even including creatures that you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners). The default shape for a burst effect is a sphere, but some burst spells are specifically described as cone-shaped. A burst’s area defines how far from the point of origin the spell’s effect extends. An emanation spell functions like a burst spell, except that the effect continues to radiate from the point of origin for the duration of the spell. Most emanations are cones or spheres. A spread spell spreads out like a burst but can turn corners. You select the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all directions. Figure the area the spell effect fills by taking into account any turns the spell effect takes. Cone, Cylinder, Line, or Sphere: Most spells that affect an area have a particular shape, such as a cone, cylinder, line, or sphere. A cone-shaped spell shoots away from you in a quarter-circle in the direction you designate. It starts from any corner of your square and widens out as it goes. Most cones are either bursts or emanations (see above), and thus won’t go around corners.