Solomon Gaius's page

While clarifying that my statements are in no way official for the purpose of PFS or other RAW systems, I can certainly clarify the RAI when I wrote the spell for the Andoran book (I think I originally called it "Escape Clause" or something similarly painful).

It is written the way it is on purpose; it is intended as a means for you to bust OTHER people out. Thematically, it was written with the slaver-busters of Andoran in mind, freeing people from their shackles and so on. The presumption is that you are already free and you are freeing others.

Casting the spell does use your immediate action, so you can't double up on immediate actions. As to WHY you can't use it on yourself; well, it's a 1st level spell. It's not SUPPOSED TO do everything.

Still a handy spell, as a 1st level spell should be, but not one that allows you to chortle evilly and never need to worry about being grappled again.

OK - thanks for the clarification there Jason, its much appreciated.

My bard's evil chortle has been stifled and a wary look yet remains on his face in dungeons whilst he contemplates the enumerable grappling beasties that can ruin his day.

Thanks to everyone else for your ideas and thoughts as well. The fact that you still need to make a concentration check in a grapple despite using an immediate action spell had completely gone over my head. I could of sworn you didn't need to make a concentration check in those circumstances, but I stand well corrected.

So I had just picked the Liberating Command spell for my Bard, chortling away that I never need fear being stuck in a grapple again when another player in the party pointed something out.

Its not that good for the caster. Casting the spell is an Immediate action, if you have used an Immediate action to cast the spell (which you get one per turn) then his argument is, you cannot in turn take another immediate action to make your Escape Artist check.

Yes it will help other party members who have some ranks in the skill etc. But for the poor old caster - no dice. So my question is - do you think this was intended in the design of the spell, should it be a Free Action to make the Escape Artist check instead. Should the spell maybe give you a free Immediate Action, similar to the way that Touch Spells almost give you a standard action to make your Touch attack in addition to casting the spell.

What do you think?

Spell below:

Liberating Command
School transmutation; Level bard 1, cleric 1, druid 1, paladin 1, ranger 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time 1 immediate action
Components V
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)

If the target is bound, grappled, or otherwise restrained, he may make an Escape Artist check to escape as an immediate action. He gains a competence bonus on this check equal to twice your caster level (maximum +20). This spell has no effect if the target could not get free by using the Escape Artist skill (for example, if he were under the effects of a hold person spell or paralyzed by Strength damage).