The default target in one creature. I suppose the dretch could target no one with his scare ability, but who would know?
would targeting itself count as 0 targets? ;)
"One creature every three levels"
Level 0 : One creature,
Level 3 : Two creatures,
Level 6 : Three creatures...
etc...
I say level 0 in that I think you can be caster level 0 (a rogue using the 'Use Magic Device' feat).
Ultradan
"One creature every three levels"
Level 0 : One creature,
Level 3 : Two creatures,
Level 6 : Three creatures...
etc...I say level 0 in that I think you can be caster level 0 (a rogue using the 'Use Magic Device' feat).
Ultradan
Considering the spell efect and caster level (2nd), the Dretch can scare one target, once per day.
I think the caster level (2nd) is listed just to determine the DC of the spell - 12.
M
Considering the spell efect and caster level (2nd), the Dretch can scare one target, once per day.
I think the caster level (2nd) is listed just to determine the DC of the spell - 12.
M
I don't think that could be right; a spell's caster level has no effect on the DC. DCs for spell-like abilities are calculated as 10 + Spell Level + Cha modifier. I always assumed that in the case of spells that say "X target per X caster levels" always have a minimum number of targets equal to 1, since often enough you come across cases like this where a creature's effective caster level for its spell-like abilities isn't high enough to even cast a given spell normally.
The dretch uses scare as a 2nd level caster, so it can target one living creature (the spell says 1 target per three levels).
The dretch also happens to be a 2 Hit Die creature. What I'm not sure about is if you advance the dretch to 4 Hit Die, will its caster level increase to be able to target two living creatures. I'd rule that it does, but maybe that's just me.
As for the rogue activating the spell, from either a wand or scroll, via the Use Magic Device skill, the number of targets is based on the caster level of the scroll or wand, not the caster level of the person using the scroll or wand. This is true for all wands/potions/scrolls, reguardless of who uses the magic item... even when a 10th level wizard uses a wand of magic missiles created at caster level 1st... it only does 1 magic missile 1d4+1 damage.
And VedicCold is right about the save DC... caster level is not part of the equation.
Spell DC = 10 + spell level + applicable ability modifier
The dretch has an 11 Charisma, so no bonus to add. Scare is a 2nd-level spell, so the DC is 10 + 2 + 0 = 12.
If the dretch takes a potion of eagle's spelndor, the DC would increase to 14.
I don't think that could be right; a spell's caster level has no effect on the DC. DCs for spell-like abilities are calculated as 10 + Spell Level + Cha modifier. I always assumed that in the case of spells that say "X target per X caster levels" always have a minimum number of targets equal to 1, since often enough you come across cases like this where a creature's effective caster level for its spell-like abilities isn't high enough to even cast a given spell normally.Considering the spell efect and caster level (2nd), the Dretch can scare one target, once per day.
I think the caster level (2nd) is listed just to determine the DC of the spell - 12.
M
Good catch - I stand corrected.
M
Actually, I don't think htere is any rule for advancing caster level with hit dice for most spell like abilities. In fact, I can think of several examples (the succubus paladin on WotC's site, for one) that gains extra hit dice (given, they are from a class, not racial), but this does not increase the caster level of the spell. It's up to the DM, but personally, I'd just make up a Monstrous feat that let a creature's caster level for its spell like abilities increase with its hit dice at some rate: +1 caster level per +1 or +2 HD, I'm not sure which would be more appropriate, but I'd lean towards the latter.
Yeah, what Saern said makes sense.
I figured I'd be wrong about that. My first reaction to increase the caster level along with HD is that it makes that part of the creature a stronger threat at higher levels without extra work on the DM.
The default target in one creature.
I've never seen any mention of a minimum of 1 target for targeted spells in the rules.
"One creature every three levels"
Level 0 : One creature,
Level 3 : Two creatures,
Level 6 : Three creatures...
etc...
This math is just wrong.
While ruling that the dretch can target one creature with it's scare ability is reasonable, I think the monster entry is still wrong. The scare spell was changed for v3.5 from all targets within 15 ft. to 1 target per 3 levels. I think they forgot to update the dretch.
I think the best fix is to substitute "cause fear" for "scare", but I'm not a game designer.
From the excellent customer service folks at WotC:
The scare ability will affect a minimum of one creature. So even this little Dretch will still be able to scare at least one creature. If you advance him, he would of course be able to affect more depending on what his caster level became."
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Actually, I don't think htere is any rule for advancing caster level with hit dice for most spell like abilities. In fact, I can think of several examples (the succubus paladin on WotC's site, for one) that gains extra hit dice (given, they are from a class, not racial), but this does not increase the caster level of the spell. It's up to the DM, but personally, I'd just make up a Monstrous feat that let a creature's caster level for its spell like abilities increase with its hit dice at some rate: +1 caster level per +1 or +2 HD, I'm not sure which would be more appropriate, but I'd lean towards the latter.
For the most part creatures with spell-like abilities have a caster level equal to their _Racial Hit Dice_. So if a Dretch took levels in rogue/paladin/wizard etc... the caster level for its 'scare' ability would be unchanged. But, if the same Dretch were just advanced in racial hit die, to be say 6 HD it would then have a Caster Level of 6 for any spell-like abilities (in this case 'Scare', and would then get 2 targets).
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Hmm, I've been led to believe that CL doesn't scale with HD (except w/ certain templates, like the half-fiend & half-celestial). Certainly, an outsider's CL would grow by 2 for every CR (making an advanced Balor's blasphemy v. brutal v. quickly... that is mroe brutal than it is now ;)). Actually, there was a feat in Dungeon (tied to a Shackled City adventure) that granted a creature up to +4 to its CL (not exceeding its racial HD) in a mimicry of Practiced Spellcaster from Complete Divine and Complete Arcane.