Beholder ability questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Beholder ability questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
nudnic
06-07-06, 03:42 PM The antimagic cone of a beholder extends forward 150'. I'm guessing the cone has a 90 degree arc?

The antimagic cone supresses the abilities of magic items within it and effects summoned cretures. It also prevents spell casters from casting spells within or into the the area.

If I understand correctly it also effects the beholder's eye rays, they can not be used within the area or arc covered by the anti magic cone?

I assume that this cone covers a 90 degree arc around the creature and that the it is vulnerable to magical attack in the other 270 degrees?

Spells cast through the cone would be nullified. For example a spellcaster attempts to cast fireball behind the beholder but the line between the caster and ground zero of the fireball passes through the antimagic cone.

Can the beholder close it's central eye to turn off the antimagic cone? And if so I would guess that this would last the round until the beholder's next initiative?
Golem011
06-07-06, 03:54 PM How to calculate a cone... explaining it without pictures is hard.

But moving onto your other questions:

Yes, the beholder can't fire eye rays within its cone, but it can, for instance, use disintegrate to make rocks drop on the PCs from above, or throw objects at them from outside the cone with telekinesis.

Yes, it is vulnerable where its cone does not affect.

Yes, I think it would be nullified.

And yes, the beholder can close its eye. It's in the beholder entry. However, some people houserule that a beholder can 'blink', which I believe entitles it to a free action at the end of the turn to close/open it (along with the decision at the beginning of the turn to open or close). I would say this would up the CR a bit.
Talisman
06-07-06, 05:17 PM Here's how to figure a D&D cone:

Draw or imagine a line straight out from the monster to the distance indicated.
Now draw a second line the same length across the tip of the first line, forming a T.
Now draw two lines from the crossbars of the T to the base (the monster). Viola!

All D&D cones follow this ratio (height = base) unless they specify otherwise. I usually cut cone templates of the size I need out of cardstock before hand; then I can just hold it over the battlemat and say "Yep, it got all of you." Saves many arguments.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nudnic 06-07-06, 03:42 PM	The antimagic cone of a beholder extends forward 150'. I'm guessing the cone has a 90 degree arc? The antimagic cone supresses the abilities of magic items within it and effects summoned cretures. It also prevents spell casters from casting spells within or into the the area. If I understand correctly it also effects the beholder's eye rays, they can not be used within the area or arc covered by the anti magic cone? I assume that this cone covers a 90 degree arc around the creature and that the it is vulnerable to magical attack in the other 270 degrees? Spells cast through the cone would be nullified. For example a spellcaster attempts to cast fireball behind the beholder but the line between the caster and ground zero of the fireball passes through the antimagic cone. Can the beholder close it's central eye to turn off the antimagic cone? And if so I would guess that this would last the round until the beholder's next initiative?
Golem011 06-07-06, 03:54 PM	How to calculate a cone... explaining it without pictures is hard. But moving onto your other questions: Yes, the beholder can't fire eye rays within its cone, but it can, for instance, use disintegrate to make rocks drop on the PCs from above, or throw objects at them from outside the cone with telekinesis. Yes, it is vulnerable where its cone does not affect. Yes, I think it would be nullified. And yes, the beholder can close its eye. It's in the beholder entry. However, some people houserule that a beholder can 'blink', which I believe entitles it to a free action at the end of the turn to close/open it (along with the decision at the beginning of the turn to open or close). I would say this would up the CR a bit.
Talisman 06-07-06, 05:17 PM	Here's how to figure a D&D cone: Draw or imagine a line straight out from the monster to the distance indicated. Now draw a second line the same length across the tip of the first line, forming a T. Now draw two lines from the crossbars of the T to the base (the monster). Viola! All D&D cones follow this ratio (height = base) unless they specify otherwise. I usually cut cone templates of the size I need out of cardstock before hand; then I can just hold it over the battlemat and say "Yep, it got all of you." Saves many arguments.