Areas of Effect: Difference between revisions
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: A spell or ability that produces a line area of effect will usually require line of sight to all squares in the path, which may prevent certain squares from being included in the path. For example, the line's path cannot go around the corner of a wall unless the caster can actually perceive the squares around that corner that they want to draw the line effect through. If a requirement for line of sight is not listed in the description, it should generally be assumed that it is required. Note that "line of sight" simply means you are able to perceive it; despite the name of the term, any sense that would let you target the space without a miss chance (e.g. [[Tremorsense]]) will suffice (not just sight-based senses). | : A spell or ability that produces a line area of effect will usually require line of sight to all squares in the path, which may prevent certain squares from being included in the path. For example, the line's path cannot go around the corner of a wall unless the caster can actually perceive the squares around that corner that they want to draw the line effect through. If a requirement for line of sight is not listed in the description, it should generally be assumed that it is required. Note that "line of sight" simply means you are able to perceive it; despite the name of the term, any sense that would let you target the space without a miss chance (e.g. [[Tremorsense]]) will suffice (not just sight-based senses). | ||
: <h5>Creatures</h5> | |||
: A spell with this kind of area affects creatures directly (like a targeted spell), but it affects all creatures in an area of some kind rather than individual creatures you select. The area might be a spherical burst, a cone-shaped burst, or some other shape, although all areas are abstracted to cubes for play on a grid. A common type of creature effecting spells will effect a number of creatures who are within a certain distance of each other. The simplest way to work this out in play is to choose the closest creature that the caster wishes to effect, and count out from there to the maximum distance, although again, clever players will be able to come up with all sorts of interesting options. | |||
: Many spells affect living creatures, which means all creatures other than constructs and undead. Creatures in the spell's area that are not of the appropriate type do not count against the creatures affected. | |||
: <h5>Objects</h5> | |||
: A spell with this kind of area affects objects within an area you select (as Creatures, but affecting objects instead). | |||
: <h5>Other</h5> | |||
: A spell can have a unique area, as defined in its description. | |||
In some cases, blocking terrain contained in the area of effect of a cone, blast, or burst might cause squares beyond them, but still in the area of effect, to be sheltered or unaffected by the spell or effect in question. As a general rule, if the effect being created is relying on direct force (such as a blast of wind), or is made up of solid elements (such as spears of stone), blocked squares should, at a minimum, provide a cover bonus to any Reflex saves of creatures sheltering behind them. Effects that produce a liquid or gas effect might simply flow around blocking squares, affecting all unblocked squares equally. The GM is the final arbiter of this sort of thing. Note that creatures in the area of effect do NOT count as blocking; only squares that cannot be passed through with normal movement count as blocking. This particular issue doesn't happen with Line areas of effect, since they can simply choose a path that goes around a blocked square. | In some cases, blocking terrain contained in the area of effect of a cone, blast, or burst might cause squares beyond them, but still in the area of effect, to be sheltered or unaffected by the spell or effect in question. As a general rule, if the effect being created is relying on direct force (such as a blast of wind), or is made up of solid elements (such as spears of stone), blocked squares should, at a minimum, provide a cover bonus to any Reflex saves of creatures sheltering behind them. Effects that produce a liquid or gas effect might simply flow around blocking squares, affecting all unblocked squares equally. The GM is the final arbiter of this sort of thing. Note that creatures in the area of effect do NOT count as blocking; only squares that cannot be passed through with normal movement count as blocking. This particular issue doesn't happen with Line areas of effect, since they can simply choose a path that goes around a blocked square. | ||