Spell effects and who it effects

[DmRrostarr]

The wording for some of the spell effects in the Spell Compendium has me and my players scratching our heads.

Case in point: Blessed Aim

"Effect: 50-ft radius spread centered on you"

When you look at the spell description it states, "this spell grants your allies within the spread a +2 morale bonus on ranged attack rolls."

I guess my question is, does the caster get hosed? Is he NOT included in the spell effect?

I look at spells like 'bless' and they go out of the way and point out the caster is included.

So did they just mess up in the Spell Compendium or was this intentional?

Thanks in advanced for any help!!

[Rezdave]

DmRrostarr wrote:

"Effect: 50-ft radius spread centered on you"

When you look at the spell description it states, "this spell grants your allies within the spread a +2 morale bonus on ranged attack rolls."

I guess my question is, does the caster get hosed? Is he NOT included in the spell effect?

Caster does not gain the bonus. I wouldn't say he's "hosed" because it's a huge AoE and he's now surrounded by a lot of friends who shoot more accurately.

Rez

[ArchLich]

It does sound like a party support spell not an awesome priest archer spell.

Seems fair to me.

[Xellan]

Nor would it be particularly game breaking to grant the priest the benefits of the spell.

Who are you if not your own ally?

[Moff Rimmer]

Xellan wrote:

Nor would it be particularly game breaking to grant the priest the benefits of the spell.

Who are you if not your own ally?

This is what I would rule. What difference does it really make?

[Rezdave]

Moff Rimmer wrote:

Xellan wrote:

Nor would it be particularly game breaking to grant the priest the benefits of the spell.

Who are you if not your own ally?

This is what I would rule. What difference does it really make?

The duration is Minutes, not Rounds, for a +2 Bonus. Also the AoE is HUGE. This spell is not meant to be a personal buff, but a party-support spell.

If you want to include the caster, the Duration should be 1 Rnd/Lvl and the AoE should be 10' radius.

Remember, this is a 1st Level spell.

Rez

[Rezdave]

Xellan wrote:

Who are you if not your own ally?

By definition of the word you are not your own Ally. Besides, haven't you every heard of someone "who is their own worst enemy?"

Rez

[ArchLich]

I would have to say that I would rule "caster not included" with a duration longer then rounds, that large an area of effect and only 1st level.

(Thanks for the clarity Rezdave.)

[Doug Sundseth]

The usual definition is that "your allies" includes you, but that "an ally" cannot be you. (The latter is largely because of degenerate uses of White Raven Tactics, as I understand it.)

[Sir_Wulf]

The spell has some limits already, in that it only effects missile weapons and doesn't stack with bless or bardsong. I've ruled it as affecting the caster as well as others in the area.

[Rezdave]

Doug Sundseth wrote:

The usual definition is that "your allies" includes you, but that "an ally" cannot be you.

Ok ... from the PHB Glossary p.304 ally: A creature friendly to you. In most cases references to "allies" includes yourself.

So I guess I'm wrong on this one, but I stand by what I said above about the whole excessive duration/AoE issue. I guess in this case I'd leave the duration and reduce the AoE to 10' radius, or maybe 20', but not 50'.

Rez

[Kang]

I consider myself to be my most trustworthy ally, personally.

Rezdave wrote:

Ok ... from the PHB Glossary p.304 ally: A creature friendly to you. In most cases references to "allies" includes yourself.

Thanks for the rules quote! You just saved me from going on a rant about how can anyone possibly use people's ability to be their own enemies as support for claim that they can't just as easily be their own allies...

Kang