Quick question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Quick question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
aotrscommander
06-26-07, 02:25 PM Quick query; I suspect I know the answer, but it doesn't hurt to check: Offensive Prescience doesn't affect powers like Crystal Shard or Swarm of Crystals, does it?
Millenia
06-26-07, 02:32 PM Actually, it does. The power just says "damage rolls," so...
Tempest Stormwind
06-26-07, 02:35 PM Quick query; I suspect I know the answer, but it doesn't hurt to check: Offensive Prescience doesn't affect powers like Crystal Shard or Swarm of Crystals, does it?

Boosts to "damage rolls" that do not specify "weapon damage" are not defined as working any particular way in the game. This is true even of magical damage boosts.

Strictly RAW, it applies to both those powers, although +1 damage on an area power by sensing the future seems kind of odd.

My rule of thumb for such effects is that unless they specify what they apply to, it applies to any effect that requires an attack roll and deals hit point damage, just like the Spell Specialization feats (Complete Arcane). Under this rule, Crystal Shard would work but not Swarm of Crystals (and similarly, you couldn't use it to boost ability damage or negative levels or whatnot from other spells or powers, since those aren't HP damage). This is, of course, only my personal ruling on it; individual groups should come up with one that works for them.
aotrscommander
06-26-07, 02:45 PM Boosts to "damage rolls" that do not specify "weapon damage" are not defined as working any particular way in the game. This is true even of magical damage boosts.

Strictly RAW, it applies to both those powers, although +1 damage on an area power by sensing the future seems kind of odd.

My rule of thumb for such effects is that unless they specify what they apply to, it applies to any effect that requires an attack roll and deals hit point damage, just like the Spell Specialization feats (Complete Arcane). Under this rule, Crystal Shard would work but not Swarm of Crystals (and similarly, you couldn't use it to boost ability damage or negative levels or whatnot from other spells or powers, since those aren't HP damage). This is, of course, only my personal ruling on it; individual groups should come up with one that works for them.

Works for me!

My first thought was pretty much what you're suggesting, but then I wasn't sure about it (seeing as most spells don't give you pluses to other spells damage).

Cheers, folks!

Edit: Actually, though I won't, I could justify it working on Swarm of Crystals in this instance as the power has been re-flavoured to Bloodletting (and SoC to Bone Storm), so the insight bonus could mean that it highlight the blood on the victims, making it easier to hurt them with the shards of pointy death...Or something!
InkBlot
06-26-07, 08:02 PM BStrictly RAW, it applies to both those powers, although +1 damage on an area power by sensing the future seems kind of odd.
How so? You sense how your enemies will move, so you know exactly to launch the swarm to make sure the largest amount of crystals strike them.

For example, Malmont the mind taker has a glimpse of the future. He sees a blackbird flying over his head, and group of kobolds suddenly turning to face him. Half a minute later, Malmont is about to be eviscerated by the Blackspear kobold's fiercest warriors. A blackbird flies over his head, and he knows then to launch a swarm of crystals into the ranks of kobolds. The kobolds, as predicted, all turn to look at Malmont (or the bird flying over Malmonts head) and all get eye-sockets full of 6-inch-long crystal shards.
Tempest Stormwind
06-26-07, 09:02 PM How so? You sense how your enemies will move, so you know exactly to launch the swarm to make sure the largest amount of crystals strike them. In the same way that "a little to the left" won't help too much when nuking the site from orbit.For example, Malmont the mind taker has a glimpse of the future. He sees a blackbird flying over his head, and group of kobolds suddenly turning to face him. Half a minute later, Malmont is about to be eviscerated by the Blackspear kobold's fiercest warriors. A blackbird flies over his head, and he knows then to launch a swarm of crystals into the ranks of kobolds. The kobolds, as predicted, all turn to look at Malmont (or the bird flying over Malmonts head) and all get eye-sockets full of 6-inch-long crystal shards.D&D already has rules for hitting vulnerable spots -- critical hits. Which you can't score with area powers.

If I look in the room and see monsters, I can fill it with a fireball. If I look in the room and see monsters, and get a flash of precognitive insight, I can still fill it with a fireball. The room's full of fire either way; I don't see how the vision helped you aim the fire better.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
aotrscommander 06-26-07, 02:25 PM	Quick query; I suspect I know the answer, but it doesn't hurt to check: Offensive Prescience doesn't affect powers like Crystal Shard or Swarm of Crystals, does it?
Millenia 06-26-07, 02:32 PM	Actually, it does. The power just says "damage rolls," so...
Tempest Stormwind 06-26-07, 02:35 PM	Quick query; I suspect I know the answer, but it doesn't hurt to check: Offensive Prescience doesn't affect powers like Crystal Shard or Swarm of Crystals, does it? Boosts to "damage rolls" that do not specify "weapon damage" are not defined as working any particular way in the game. This is true even of magical damage boosts. Strictly RAW, it applies to both those powers, although +1 damage on an area power by sensing the future seems kind of odd. My rule of thumb for such effects is that unless they specify what they apply to, it applies to any effect that requires an attack roll and deals hit point damage, just like the Spell Specialization feats (Complete Arcane). Under this rule, Crystal Shard would work but not Swarm of Crystals (and similarly, you couldn't use it to boost ability damage or negative levels or whatnot from other spells or powers, since those aren't HP damage). This is, of course, only my personal ruling on it; individual groups should come up with one that works for them.
aotrscommander 06-26-07, 02:45 PM	Boosts to "damage rolls" that do not specify "weapon damage" are not defined as working any particular way in the game. This is true even of magical damage boosts. Strictly RAW, it applies to both those powers, although +1 damage on an area power by sensing the future seems kind of odd. My rule of thumb for such effects is that unless they specify what they apply to, it applies to any effect that requires an attack roll and deals hit point damage, just like the Spell Specialization feats (Complete Arcane). Under this rule, Crystal Shard would work but not Swarm of Crystals (and similarly, you couldn't use it to boost ability damage or negative levels or whatnot from other spells or powers, since those aren't HP damage). This is, of course, only my personal ruling on it; individual groups should come up with one that works for them. Works for me! My first thought was pretty much what you're suggesting, but then I wasn't sure about it (seeing as most spells don't give you pluses to other spells damage). Cheers, folks! Edit: Actually, though I won't, I could justify it working on Swarm of Crystals in this instance as the power has been re-flavoured to Bloodletting (and SoC to Bone Storm), so the insight bonus could mean that it highlight the blood on the victims, making it easier to hurt them with the shards of pointy death...Or something!
InkBlot 06-26-07, 08:02 PM	BStrictly RAW, it applies to both those powers, although +1 damage on an area power by sensing the future seems kind of odd. How so? You sense how your enemies will move, so you know exactly to launch the swarm to make sure the largest amount of crystals strike them. For example, Malmont the mind taker has a glimpse of the future. He sees a blackbird flying over his head, and group of kobolds suddenly turning to face him. Half a minute later, Malmont is about to be eviscerated by the Blackspear kobold's fiercest warriors. A blackbird flies over his head, and he knows then to launch a swarm of crystals into the ranks of kobolds. The kobolds, as predicted, all turn to look at Malmont (or the bird flying over Malmonts head) and all get eye-sockets full of 6-inch-long crystal shards.
Tempest Stormwind 06-26-07, 09:02 PM	How so? You sense how your enemies will move, so you know exactly to launch the swarm to make sure the largest amount of crystals strike them. In the same way that "a little to the left" won't help too much when nuking the site from orbit.For example, Malmont the mind taker has a glimpse of the future. He sees a blackbird flying over his head, and group of kobolds suddenly turning to face him. Half a minute later, Malmont is about to be eviscerated by the Blackspear kobold's fiercest warriors. A blackbird flies over his head, and he knows then to launch a swarm of crystals into the ranks of kobolds. The kobolds, as predicted, all turn to look at Malmont (or the bird flying over Malmonts head) and all get eye-sockets full of 6-inch-long crystal shards.D&D already has rules for hitting vulnerable spots -- critical hits. Which you can't score with area powers. If I look in the room and see monsters, I can fill it with a fireball. If I look in the room and see monsters, and get a flash of precognitive insight, I can still fill it with a fireball. The room's full of fire either way; I don't see how the vision helped you aim the fire better.