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Hello, we have a player in our game who is a metal gate Kineticist. They are attempting to use all three magnetic pinion attacks against one target instead of three separate ones. Ability text:
"Small pieces of metal fly from you, propelled with magnetism at great velocity. Make ranged impulse attack rolls against up to three creatures within 60 feet of you; you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your attack roll against any target wearing metal armor or made of metal. All three attacks count toward your multiple attack penalty, but it doesn't increase until after all the attacks. The metal pieces deal 1d4 bludgeoning damage and 1d4 piercing damage on a hit (or double damage on a critical hit)."
There isn't language preventing this. On the contrary, it states "up to three creatures" and then afterwards says "All three attacks".
I will add that this ability is not only 3 actions, but is also Overflow meaning it takes your entire turn with no movement and you lose your Kinetic Aura, using an action to recast next turn. This means this ability is only available every other turn.
I've ruled that this CAN target the same enemy with all three pinions as other cantrips/spells in other classes have very specific wording to note if the player can/cannot target the same enemy more than once.
First example is Slashing Gust: "You slash your hand through the air, channeling miniature ripples of air from each finger to slice your enemy. If you have two hands free, you can target two creatures with this spell; otherwise, you target one."
It clearly states it targets one creature per free hand and NOT two gusts against the same enemy.
Second example is Magic Missile: "You send a dart of force streaking toward a creature that you can see. It automatically hits and deals 1d4+1 force damage. For each additional action you use when Casting the Spell, increase the number of missiles you shoot by one, to a maximum of three missiles for 3 actions. You choose the target for each missile individually. If you shoot more than one missile at the same target, combine the damage before applying bonuses or penalties to damage, resistances, weaknesses, and so forth."
This clearly says that you CAN target the same target and adds no confusion.
Can we get an official ruling on Magnetic Pinions whether the wording means that it is meant for 3 separate targets or can all 3 attacks be used similar to magic missile against 1, 2, or 3 targets. Help is appreciated!
Additional Note: Metal Kineticist has so far been received in the community as the lowest tier of Single Gate with low damage or too niche abilities which gives me the belief that this early (level 1) ability was intended to help beef the Metal gate up to match where it lacks punch. If not, in my opinion, there isn't a good reason to take it at all. The composite feats for metal are even lacking.
Thanks!