Post/Author/DateTime	Post
quatrilien 04-19-05, 03:27 PM	The campaign I'm running now is having a little problem with the Balor's death throes. The MM doesn't specifically say what kind of damage it causes when it explodes (and thus no real means of protecting once self from its death, other than having lots of hit points or attacking it from afar): When killed, a balor explodes in a blinding flash of light that deals 100 points of damage to anything within 100 feet I would like to assume that the damage is fire-based but would like a 2nd opinion.
Shemeska the Marauder 04-19-05, 07:12 PM	I'd say it was simply raw damage potential. Balors are Tanar'ri, beings of raw hatred, destruction and malign chaos personified and taken flesh. You kill it and it seeks to take you with it it. Raw destruction. I'd treat it as typeless damage.
The Immortal VonKat 04-19-05, 07:26 PM	I was sorely tempted to say "the type of damage that makes sorcerers and wizards go 'ack!'", but Shemmy has a great point as well, so listen to him, for he is most wise. *nod nod* Seriously, I'd hate to be the sorcerer/wizard/psion/wimp caught in that explosion...ooh, fun idea! Gate a weakened Balor into a populated town, kill it, and run like hell. KABOOM! Dead commoners! It's brilliant!
mvincent 04-19-05, 07:48 PM	I would like to assume that the damage is fire-based but would like a 2nd opinion. You can do anything you like in your game (and this certainly seems like a reasonable house rule, given the fiery nature of Balors). Officially, it doesn't appear to be fire damage. The other Balor attacks specifically mention being fire damage... this one does not. Myself, I would treat it as similar to the "explosive runes" spell, which is force damage. Oddly, the RAW text would support an interpretation of the attack doing light-based damage... (but I certainly wouldn't interpret it that way).
E-Arkham 04-19-05, 07:51 PM	What's hilarious is that balors can gate in other balors, but demons and devils are loathe to gate in their peers due to "owing" them favors later. Which means that a balor isn't going to gate in another balor until he's badly hurt... <poink> Gated balor #2 appears. Balor2: "Dude... you don't look so goo... NOOOOOOOOOOooooo!" <first balor explodes> Kep
quatrilien 04-20-05, 01:11 AM	Thanks! Yeah, I kinda expected that it would be a typeless damage - hence making them even deadlier. Which means that a balor isn't going to gate in another balor . . . Which brings me to my second question about another Balor's ability (and that of other fiends) - summoning. Can a summoned balor summon another balor. I remember reading somewhere some time ago that the monster summoning spells do not actually bring a physical creature into existance but more or less a manifestation of such a creature and thus, not capable of using its summoning ability (if it had one). On the other hand, I always assumed that fiends "gated" their brethren in (rather than "summoned" them). This would mean, among other things, that a Balor who "gated" in another Balor would have gated in a unique and real Balor, completed with all its abilities (and ability to gate in yet another Balor). Any opinions out there? Other than the fact that the Balor would be reluctant to call on favors of other fiends, this could lead to an entire army of nasties!
spyderfreek 04-20-05, 02:20 AM	I think I remember something to this effect: A summoned demon/devil cannot use its summoning powers for 1 hour after it is summoned. A summoned creature remains for 1 hour or untill destroyed. At least I think I remember that.
IceFractal 04-20-05, 03:25 AM	Balors eh? What about the "Balor Bomb" trick? Basically, if you can get three or more Balors exploding all near each-other, then any other Balors caught in the blast area will also explode, causing a chain reaction. So if you gather a bunch of Balors together, spread them out either densely (for more damage), or widely (for a larger area), and then kill several center ones at once (with Holy Word, for instance), then the chain reaction will cause a huge explosion killing everything in a large area.
Shemeska the Marauder 04-20-05, 09:15 AM	I think I remember something to this effect: A summoned demon/devil cannot use its summoning powers for 1 hour after it is summoned. A summoned creature remains for 1 hour or untill destroyed. This is a 3rd edition rule change actually. I know that in 2e (not sure about earlier) fiends were damn deadly with their summoning ability since they could literally 'chain summon' and start multiplying exponentially if you gave them the opportunity to summon, have those critters summon, and then those, etc. I'm rather ambivalent on the issue since it does make it easier on PCs fighting fiends. But of course, I'm quite willing to go against the RAW for certain Yugoloths, true Tanar'ri, and any Baatezu of Erinyes rank or higher.
mvincent 04-20-05, 12:01 PM	Can a summoned balor summon another balor. From the rules in the magic section: "A summoned creature cannot use any innate summoning abilities it may have" From the rules under monster special abilities: "A creature that has just been summoned cannot use its own summon ability for 1 hour" On the other hand, I always assumed that fiends "gated" their brethren in (rather than "summoned" them). In 3.5, it is a summon ability.