Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Phrennzy 08-17-05, 04:13 PM	Can an Ettin spellcaster cast a spell from both heads on it's action? Is there a feat that would allow it to do so? What about a spell from one head while the other controls the attacks? I think it's a pretty good idea - I want feedback before I use it. I'm leaning towards one head using one hand to cast with, while the other head uses the other hand to hack with.
DmMagnus 08-17-05, 04:36 PM	That would make him very powerfull. I would have put a int requierment (13 or another number as you see it fit). Hmm good idea anyway, but would a 6 headed hydro do the same? I think it would make it Uber powerfull!
High Octane 08-17-05, 04:41 PM	I would think that spellcasting, although it only requires one hand FREE, would require movement of more than your arm. At the very least answer me this, can an ettin take 2 standard actions? If so, maybe he can cast twice. If not, no way. Even if you decide he can, I would assign a concentration check to it.
dasneakygit 08-17-05, 04:46 PM	I'd go for it but i would stick a percent chance of spell failure on it to balance it out and not over power it to much. Plus add in the comical aspect of a 2 headed critter trying to get the spell to work and his left side mesing with his right side every so often. Maybe instead of leveling normally you could use a gesalt character for the ettin to show the different personallities. Ok i am rambling now.
primemover003 08-17-05, 04:58 PM	Several two headed Outsider types have a special ability called Double Mind or something similar (see Demogorgon, BoVD and Bazim-Gorag, Champions of Ruin). Due to havign two brains they can use an extra action each round that is purely mental, like using a skill, a spell-like ability, supernatural ability, etc. I'm not sure if Spellcasting is in that list of abilities as spells often have material and somatic componants... If the Ettin was a Warlock however...
DmMagnus 08-17-05, 05:01 PM	I would think that spellcasting, although it only requires one hand FREE, would require movement of more than your arm. At the very least answer me this, can an ettin take 2 standard actions? If so, maybe he can cast twice. If not, no way. Even if you decide he can, I would assign a concentration check to it. Would you think a chimera or hydra or other monsters with many heads, have more standard actions? :confused: If the multiheads can have extra standard actions they will become "Overbadasses"! (the CR should be increased) WotC should make an article about this!
Phrennzy 08-17-05, 05:07 PM	Several two headed Outsider types have a special ability called Double Mind or something similar (see Demogorgon, BoVD and Bazim-Gorag, Champions of Ruin). Due to havign two brains they can use an extra action each round that is purely mental, like using a skill, a spell-like ability, supernatural ability, etc. I'm not sure if Spellcasting is in that list of abilities as spells often have material and somatic componants... If the Ettin was a Warlock however... That's it. The firebringer. From the Dungeon mag. That's what made me think of this. I'll check that out. Thanks.
VirgilCaine 08-17-05, 05:21 PM	See the Half-Ettin template on the main D&D site for the "Two Headed Casting" feat that allows a half-ettin's second head to cast a second spell per round.
MinusInnocence 08-17-05, 05:33 PM	Yeah. I don't see why spell-like abilities should be a problem for the Ettin, but actual spells are a little more complicated. More is involved than just moving your hand, as another poster noted; the head has to have complete mastery over its side of the body and be mindful of what the other head is doing because its movements might disrupt the casting. To compound the issue, they don't have an empathic link or anything; they're really two separate entities sharing one corporeal form. It's just a big mess. At least a Concentration check, if not a chance of spell failure.