Ability Focus and Spells?? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ability Focus and Spells?? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kazeous
05-01-07, 06:46 PM Can the feat "Ability Focus" be used to add a +2 on the DCs of all spells? I know this sounds/seems broken, but it says that the only prerequisite for Ability Focus is a "Special Attack". After looking at several creatures in the Monster Manual with spellcasting classes, their ability to cast is listed as a "Special Attack". Just wondering if this is legit or not, since it seems slightly overpowered, yet delightfully evil.
wonlee76
05-01-07, 09:00 PM I would say yes but it only applies to one of the creature's spell-like abilities rather than all spell like abilities it has access to.
Part-Human2
05-01-07, 09:30 PM I've seen it argued that it does because sometimes "Spellcasting" is listed as a Special Attack. I can't imagine that was the intent, nor can I image a DM accepting that argument.
runestar
05-01-07, 09:36 PM Well, the FAQ does state that ability focus applies to just a single SLA.
Since SLAs and spells are listed together, one could infer that the same limitation applies to spells as well.

But I admit that it is a very lame attempt to justify poor game design, in that the interpretation seems somewhat forced.:P
Kazeous
05-01-07, 09:42 PM Thanks folks. Just needed some light shed on my question. Been wondering for a while. Still, it can be worthwhile, if you love a certain spell.
Vegepygmy
05-02-07, 12:18 AM The ability to cast spells is not a "special attack." The spells you are able to cast are.
NeoDX90
05-02-07, 10:42 AM Well, the FAQ does state that ability focus applies to just a single SLA.
Since SLAs and spells are listed together, one could infer that the same limitation applies to spells as well.

But I admit that it is a very lame attempt to justify poor game design, in that the interpretation seems somewhat forced.:P

That's how I always interpreted it, though, the Warlock makes me wonder. I know that the WotC books don't always give the best advice on character builds :D , but they do recommend the Ability Focus feat. With the Warlock, would you have to pick a single Invocation when you select the feat?

Poor Warlock
Puca
05-02-07, 10:51 AM With the Warlock, would you have to pick a single Invocation when you select the feat?Yes and no.

You could pick Ability Focus (Baleful Utterance) and it would only apply to your Baleful Utterances.

But you could also pick Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast) and it would apply to any save on your Eldritch Blast. (That means for any Blast Essence Invocation you apply to it.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kazeous 05-01-07, 06:46 PM	Can the feat "Ability Focus" be used to add a +2 on the DCs of all spells? I know this sounds/seems broken, but it says that the only prerequisite for Ability Focus is a "Special Attack". After looking at several creatures in the Monster Manual with spellcasting classes, their ability to cast is listed as a "Special Attack". Just wondering if this is legit or not, since it seems slightly overpowered, yet delightfully evil.
wonlee76 05-01-07, 09:00 PM	I would say yes but it only applies to one of the creature's spell-like abilities rather than all spell like abilities it has access to.
Part-Human2 05-01-07, 09:30 PM	I've seen it argued that it does because sometimes "Spellcasting" is listed as a Special Attack. I can't imagine that was the intent, nor can I image a DM accepting that argument.
runestar 05-01-07, 09:36 PM	Well, the FAQ does state that ability focus applies to just a single SLA. Since SLAs and spells are listed together, one could infer that the same limitation applies to spells as well. But I admit that it is a very lame attempt to justify poor game design, in that the interpretation seems somewhat forced.:P
Kazeous 05-01-07, 09:42 PM	Thanks folks. Just needed some light shed on my question. Been wondering for a while. Still, it can be worthwhile, if you love a certain spell.
Vegepygmy 05-02-07, 12:18 AM	The ability to cast spells is not a "special attack." The spells you are able to cast are.
NeoDX90 05-02-07, 10:42 AM	Well, the FAQ does state that ability focus applies to just a single SLA. Since SLAs and spells are listed together, one could infer that the same limitation applies to spells as well. But I admit that it is a very lame attempt to justify poor game design, in that the interpretation seems somewhat forced.:P That's how I always interpreted it, though, the Warlock makes me wonder. I know that the WotC books don't always give the best advice on character builds :D , but they do recommend the Ability Focus feat. With the Warlock, would you have to pick a single Invocation when you select the feat? Poor Warlock
Puca 05-02-07, 10:51 AM	With the Warlock, would you have to pick a single Invocation when you select the feat?Yes and no. You could pick Ability Focus (Baleful Utterance) and it would only apply to your Baleful Utterances. But you could also pick Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast) and it would apply to any save on your Eldritch Blast. (That means for any Blast Essence Invocation you apply to it.)