Topic: Range / Area of Effect of Spells

[Marc R]

This argument also suggests a range of "Self" for Fire Bolt: The spell that gives you the ability to shoot a bolt of fire from your hand.

Actually, the lightning bolt example is exactly the same thing. . .there again are two resolutions going on, one to cast, another to attack.

You cast, spend the PP, roll the spell successfully. . .the bolt has gone nowhere (it is indeed still in your palm)

You roll the attack, and the "attack range" applies on the table as part of the missile/ranged Elemental attack logic. . .the range in that instance applies purely in the sense of missile attack logic and really isn't a "spell casting range" at all IMO.

I think there's quite a few spells that seem to stir up "Area of Effect", "Range" and the "Attack Range" of a ranged attack in a confusing manner.

[yammahoper]

Two rolls for a bolt spell?  We always use one.  The fumble range is included on the attack table, so why roll twice?  Only if a SCSM was required would their be two rolls, critical results not being part of the conversation right now.

[providence13]

It might be silly,(and I might be wrong) but doesn't RAW require the SCSM roll to make sure that it's not a Fumble from a low roll?

Two chances to screw it up.

[Marc R]

You can SCSM on a bolt. . .for the sake of this discussion, assume you are overcasting your lightning bolt.

It does make what I'm trying to point out cleaner and easier.

First you cast a spell, any spell, it either fails or succeeds. . if it fails it goes to the spell failure table per spell resolution.

With a lightning bolt, you can fail, and eat a spell failure result. . .but if it succeeds, you exit spell mechanics and resolve it how you would a missile attack.

i.e. it misses or hits for X hits Y critical result. . . .

If the GM is using fire into melee rules it might hit someone other than the intended target.

What I'm saying is that the range for a lightning bolt is essentially the range of a longbow, not the range of a Sleep V spell.

[yammahoper]

I believe the casting roll IS the attack roll.  Just one roll.  Just like a BAR spell attack.  A SCSM is a seperate roll but part of a single action.

[Old Man]

I believe the casting roll IS the attack roll.  Just one roll.  Just like a BAR spell attack.  A SCSM is a seperate roll but part of a single action.

I do that in 2nd Ed. (use one roll to resolve ESF and the BAR/EAR roll.)
 My reasoning is that if you succeed, then your spell is going to be really good as well. Sort of a benefit for the person taking the risk.

Ciao,
Old Man

[Marc R]

I'd still like to see the mage toss a lighningbolt off target into the back of the fighter blocking in front of him. . .

I found the dual failure path of EAR in RM2 kind of irritating. . .you could super roll the cast, then blow the attack roll and miss. . . .

But the GM pointed out there's two rolls on the BAR too. . .the roll to cast, then the RR.

[rdanhenry]

The elemental attack spell failure table includes several targeting mishap results. An expanded table could include more. That would make a fine Guild Companion article, one you've fulfilled your wish.

[Marc R]

My wish?

[rdanhenry]

Adding a "target nearest friendly individual within range" is easy enough to add. That'll put that lightning bolt right into your meat-shield as desired.

[Marc R]

It's more that when you SF, it's usually either just barely. . .or super high from doing something stupid you really shouldn't have tried with all the penalties. . .so most rolls are 1-100 or 200+ skipping over the misfires probability wise.