Areas of Effect

Areas of Effect

In Epic Path, areas of effect, distances, and movement are simplified by using a straight '1 for 1' counting convention, even when counting diagonally. Specifically, moving orthogonally (north, south, east, west; from one edge of a square to another) costs the same as moving diagonally (northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest; from one corner of a square to another). There is no penalty for moving in diagonal lines, or for counting distances across diagonal lines. This has the effect of greatly simplifying the work of determining ranges and allows high-maneuverability classes to play much faster.

ALL areas of effect are simplified.

Templates are no longer used for circles or cones. The area of effect for all common cones and circles are represented as squares. This makes it very easy to visualize where an area of effect lays on a map, and allows custom sizes or widened spells to be applied or added very easily.

Placement Rules

A variety of areas of effect are used by spells and other effects in Epic Path. The most common of these are Cones, Blasts, Bursts, and Lines, but many other shapes are also possible. In cases where a non-standard area of effect is used, the spell or effect should describe, in detail, how the shape of that effect is placed. For Cones, Blasts, Bursts, and Lines, follow the rules below. If the spell or effect specifies a Cone, Blast, Burst, or Line area of effect, but then describes the effect differently than the rules listed below, refer to the specific spell or effect, rather than these general rules.

Cones

Many spells and effects start from the caster and blast outward. A common example of this would be a dragon's breath weapon, but a number of spells, such as Burning Hand of the Magus, also use this area of effect.

A cone effect is a square area that must have an edge or corner adjacent to the caster or creator of the effect. That is, one edge or corner of the cone must touch an edge or corner of the caster's space. If the caster is sized-large or larger, the cone needs to touch any edge or corner of at least one square of the caster's space. The cone's point of origin is considered to be this point that touches the caster's space.

Once the origin point is determined, the area of effect is placed in a square-shaped area equal to size specified.

Blasts

Bursts

Lines