... namely CLW...
If the spell assigned to a wand is a touch spell, does the wand wielder need to touch the wand to the subject to activate the spell.
If so, then my party is going to b#&#~. If not, then I can definitely see some munchkin'ism - what would the range be? Do they have to make a ranged touch attack for the ray?
... namely CLW...
If the spell assigned to a wand is a touch spell, does the wand wielder need to touch the wand to the subject to activate the spell.
This is how I've always played it...
A spell in a wand has exactly the same range and/or target entry as the spell in question. Being in a wand does not change that, which means that a CLW wand-user must touch the target of the spell.
Yup, it's still a touch spell.
You could rule that the wand has to touch the subject, or that the wand wielder has to touch the subject, or that either of these is acceptable. But putting a spell into a wand doesn't give it range.
And don't forget that casting a touch spell into a threatened area creates an attack of opportunity....
And don't forget that casting a touch spell into a threatened area creates an attack of opportunity....
Actually, this is a point where the wand has an advantage. Wands are spell trigger items, and using a spell trigger item is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
And don't forget that casting a touch spell into a threatened area creates an attack of opportunity....
I've worked a ton of hours this week (I was near 50 before today even began), so forgive my ignorance. Can you show me a quote from the rules that says delivering a touch spell provokes an attack of opportunity. Certainly casting a touch spell provokes, just like any other spell (and assuming you're threatened). But I recall that delivering a touch spell - even a hostile one - doesn't provoke. In the case of a hostile target, you're considered "armed."
I've worked a ton of hours this week (I was near 50 before today even began), so forgive my ignorance. Can you show me a quote from the rules that says delivering a touch spell provokes an attack of opportunity.
You misunderstand him. He's saying that casting the spell provokes an AoO, not delivering it.
As has been pointed out, however, activating a wand does not provoke an AoO, so it doesn't matter that casting a spell does.
Certainly casting a touch spell provokes, just like any other spell (and assuming you're threatened). But I recall that delivering a touch spell - even a hostile one - doesn't provoke. In the case of a hostile target, you're considered "armed."
Correct.
You have to touch them in some way. The Complete Arcane actually has a feat about attacking with a wand.
I with the majority: Touch.
However, the whole casting a touch spell and delivering it has always bothered me. If you're threatened when casting it you must accept an AoO but when you deliver it your are not treated as unarmed and so don't for that action. This I am okay with.
Bit isn't this only relevant when holding a charge? I mean, I presume the casting of a touch spell and delivering it is a standard action so therefore the casting incurs the AoO. I'm sure you can't cast it, move into touch range and then deliver. Have I got this right? Did I explain this properly??? :///
As a house rule, I have often allowed wands of touch spells to be adjusted to a ranged touch of 30 feet. This helps out the party healer in some situations, and has not yet been abused by any of my players.
There is a meta-magic feat, Reach Spell, out of Complete Divine, I believe, that gives a touch spell a ranged touch of 30 feet. It increases the spell level by 1 or 2 (I don't recall which), but it can be applied to a spell when creating a wand. However, if you enjoy your houserule have a blast.
Certainly casting a touch spell provokes, just like any other spell (and assuming you're threatened). But I recall that delivering a touch spell - even a hostile one - doesn't provoke. In the case of a hostile target, you're considered "armed."
Yeah, the casting causes the AoO. The fact that you are touching them implies you are next to him, so touching him with the spell would have the cumulative effect of getting you smacked.
Pg 141 of PHB says touch attacks are "armed." So no AoO on that alone. However, you can Cast the spell, then move, then touch. Your touch spell may be delivered by the end of the round, and you can move before or after. So to avoid the AoO you should cast it out of range, then advance up and touch them with it.
Note: Familiars can deliver some touch spells.
The feat from CA for wands is wandstrike.
To Orcwart: If you look in the Player's Handbook under "touch spells" in, I believe, the Combat chapter, you'll see that there is a special rule allowing you to cast, move and then deliver the touch spell all in a single round.
I'm sure you can't cast it, move into touch range and then deliver.
As SgtHulka has already noted, that is exactly what you can do.
The feat from CA for wands is wandstrike.
Yeah, that's the one.
To Orcwart: If you look in the Player's Handbook under "touch spells" in, I believe, the Combat chapter, you'll see that there is a special rule allowing you to cast, move and then deliver the touch spell all in a single round.
Just saw it. Thanks for that. :D
If you really want a great backup weapon for your mid-level wizard, I highly recommend crafting a 5th level wand of shocking grasp (3.5e). Touch attack to hit, 5d8 damage, no AOO, no save, and costs 1250 gp to craft. That's 25 gp per HIT, not per attack, since the charge is held until you strike your target.
If you've got a good enough AC, you can take out just about any big straight-up fighter type in hand to hand combat. Put it in the hand of your armored, shielded, reduced, blurred, mirror imaged halfling wizard some day.
Another idea for casting healing spells at a range can be found in Monte Cook's original Arcana Unearthed, and reprinted in his new Arcana Evolved. I don't usually use source material from other companies like Sword & Sorcery, but since Monte Cook is one of the writers of the Player's Handbook I gave these two books a read. If you haven't seen them, they are worth a look; just get the newer one as it reprints everything in the older one. Anyway...
In these books there are cermonial feats, one of which is called Blessed Mage. It allows healing spells to be cast at +1 effective caster level and allows the use of the "Blessed" template for any beneficial spell that would be cast on an ally. The blessed spell doubles the range of any beneficial spell cast on allies, and gives touch spells a range of 25 feet. The feat requires that the character has a truename to learn the feat, and to use the Blessed template requires that the target has a truename, that the caster knows this truename, and that the caster includes a specific verbal component.
Monte's Arcana books are not for everyone; I certainly didn't like them at first. However, they are well thought-out, and there are lots of interesting ideas in them. And, truenames and ceremonial feats have actually become a part of the regular rules, having been published in the Player's Handbook II and the Tome of Magic.
Just wondering about Spectral Hand and if a multiclassed Necromancer/Cleric could use that spell to deliver a heal spell. The SRD says "allowing you to deliver a low-level, touch range spell at a distance" but it doesn't say if it is limited only to arcane spells as opposed to divine.
Any touch range spell of 4th level or lower can be delivered by a spectral hand. It doesn't matter whether the spell being delivered is arcane or divine. So heal is out (because it's a 6th level spell), but cure critical wounds is okay.
Now here's something which will get you arguing. Does a disintegrate ray provoke an attack of opportunity if cast in melee, if you succeed at casting defensively?
I say it does. Why? It's a ranged attack, and so provokes an AoO in melee ;)
I say it does. Why? It's a ranged attack, and so provokes an AoO in melee ;)
That's correct, so why the ;)?
I think all the important questions regarding touch spells have been answered here, so really there is nothing more to add. I just thought I'd say hi! :)
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I say it does. Why? It's a ranged attack, and so provokes an AoO in melee ;)That's correct, so why the ;)?
I think the ;-) is because many players and DMs would interpret the 'shooting' of the ray to be part of the somatic component of the spell, and therefore, since the defensive cast succeeded, the wizard sticks his finger in the right direction and lets fly while the opponent is looking the wrong way.
I can see both sides; if a caster with a Shocking Grasp charge held is considered armed, could the same apply to a caster with a Scorching Ray 'in the chamber'?
A ruling from the game designer or The Sage would be welcome, if they're haunting these boards....
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With respect to the healing debate; I can see how the caster can reach in to help an ally, who reaches back for the cure.
It's a bit like the baton pass in a relay race...:-)
However there are times when it does seem to be taking liberties, like when the ally is spark out on the floor with an enemy standing over him, it does seem unfeasible to bend over and reach between the enemy's legs.
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If you really want a great backup weapon for your mid-level wizard, I highly recommend crafting a 5th level wand of shocking grasp (3.5e). Touch attack to hit, 5d8 damage, no AOO, no save, and costs 1250 gp to craft. That's 25 gp per HIT, not per attack, since the charge is held until you strike your target.
If you've got a good enough AC, you can take out just about any big straight-up fighter type in hand to hand combat. Put it in the hand of your armored, shielded, reduced, blurred, mirror imaged halfling wizard some day.
Not a bad idea. Not at all.
I've worked a ton of hours this week (I was near 50 before today even began), so forgive my ignorance. Can you show me a quote from the rules that says delivering a touch spell provokes an attack of opportunity.You misunderstand him. He's saying that casting the spell provokes an AoO, not delivering it.
As has been pointed out, however, activating a wand does not provoke an AoO, so it doesn't matter that casting a spell does.
Certainly casting a touch spell provokes, just like any other spell (and assuming you're threatened). But I recall that delivering a touch spell - even a hostile one - doesn't provoke. In the case of a hostile target, you're considered "armed."Correct.
Yep, that was what I meant. Everyone is absolutly correct, and doing this with a wand does NOT provoke an attack of opportunity. Sorry about the confusion I created...had been a long week for me too. *quietly bows out of conversation with foot firmly in mouth*
Another nasty aspect of delivering touch spells. When you do so, you can choose to deal damage as well, though it's counted as an unarmed strike in all ways (attacks of opportunity, damage, etc.).
Imagine now a monk choosing to do this. Give him a ring of shocking grasp and watch the fun.