Divine spell power and synergy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Divine spell power and synergy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
thatcash
06-05-07, 05:45 AM I have a question about if the synergy bonus for having 5 ranks in Knowledge (religion) adds to the turning check for the Divine Spell Power feat.

In the CD, on page 80, the feat says: "You can spend a turn or rebuke attempt as a free action and roll a turning check (with a +3 bonus, plus any other modifiers you'd normally apply to your turning check)."

One side says that I'm not making a turning check vs undead. Since I'm using the check to power a Divine feat, the bonus to turn undead is no longer a normal bonus. A normal bonus would be something like the Charisma bonus to turning checks. The Charisma bonus is non-specific. If it was a generic modifier that could be applied anytime, then yes it would apply to my Divine feat. In a turning scenario, I would apply the bonus, making it a "normal" modifier.

I've argued that it does apply because you have to spend an undead turning/ rebuke attempt. I'm using my divine connection to channel positive energy to power my spell instead of turning an undead creature. I can't use my separate turn lycanthropes pool to power the feat, for example.

The entire group DM's, so "ask your DM" isn't an option. :D
Kouk
06-05-07, 06:56 AM Wow, this is a tough one.

The Divine feats are described in the beginning of the chapter as using up your Turn Undead ability, so that suggests that you are actually making a turning check against undead.

The text of the feat though doesn't say one way or the other, so I guess I would go with you on this one - if only because there should be some benefit to you having a Synergy with Knowledge Religion. If you are taking feats that are powered by your ability to turn undead, it suggests that undead aren't a serious problem in your campaign (they aren't in most campaigns) so the Synergy would go to waste most of the time.
Axiomatic_vampire
06-05-07, 06:57 AM You get the synergy bonus from Kn. Religion

UNLESS you're doing it to fuel holy word shenanigans, in which case you actually take a penalty.

And your karma bead explodes.
thatcash
06-05-07, 10:57 AM If you are taking feats that are powered by your ability to turn undead, it suggests that undead aren't a serious problem in your campaign (they aren't in most campaigns) so the Synergy would go to waste most of the time.
Sadly, our current adventure is *name of module for those that haven't played it*-->City of the Spider Queen<--, which has mobs and mobs of undead. Since most of them are damn near unturnable at 18th level, even having one divine feat ends up being pretty useful.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
thatcash 06-05-07, 05:45 AM	I have a question about if the synergy bonus for having 5 ranks in Knowledge (religion) adds to the turning check for the Divine Spell Power feat. In the CD, on page 80, the feat says: "You can spend a turn or rebuke attempt as a free action and roll a turning check (with a +3 bonus, plus any other modifiers you'd normally apply to your turning check)." One side says that I'm not making a turning check vs undead. Since I'm using the check to power a Divine feat, the bonus to turn undead is no longer a normal bonus. A normal bonus would be something like the Charisma bonus to turning checks. The Charisma bonus is non-specific. If it was a generic modifier that could be applied anytime, then yes it would apply to my Divine feat. In a turning scenario, I would apply the bonus, making it a "normal" modifier. I've argued that it does apply because you have to spend an undead turning/ rebuke attempt. I'm using my divine connection to channel positive energy to power my spell instead of turning an undead creature. I can't use my separate turn lycanthropes pool to power the feat, for example. The entire group DM's, so "ask your DM" isn't an option. :D
Kouk 06-05-07, 06:56 AM	Wow, this is a tough one. The Divine feats are described in the beginning of the chapter as using up your Turn Undead ability, so that suggests that you are actually making a turning check against undead. The text of the feat though doesn't say one way or the other, so I guess I would go with you on this one - if only because there should be some benefit to you having a Synergy with Knowledge Religion. If you are taking feats that are powered by your ability to turn undead, it suggests that undead aren't a serious problem in your campaign (they aren't in most campaigns) so the Synergy would go to waste most of the time.
Axiomatic_vampire 06-05-07, 06:57 AM	You get the synergy bonus from Kn. Religion UNLESS you're doing it to fuel holy word shenanigans, in which case you actually take a penalty. And your karma bead explodes.
thatcash 06-05-07, 10:57 AM	If you are taking feats that are powered by your ability to turn undead, it suggests that undead aren't a serious problem in your campaign (they aren't in most campaigns) so the Synergy would go to waste most of the time. Sadly, our current adventure is name of module for those that haven't played it-->City of the Spider Queen<--, which has mobs and mobs of undead. Since most of them are damn near unturnable at 18th level, even having one divine feat ends up being pretty useful.