Channel energy rules clarification

[morningsunshine]

On page 40 of the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, the second paragraph under Channel Energy states:

"A good cleric..... channels positive energy and can CHOOSE to deal damage to undead creatures OR to heal living creatures. An evil cleric ...... channels negative energy and can CHOOSE to deal damage to living creatures OR to heal undead creatures."

I am taking this to mean that when you release your wave of energy, you need to decide if your going to damage or heal---not both. The reason I think this is because of the words in caps:choose and or. It is a very intense topic of discussion on what that means with our home group.

Any other insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

[ZappoHisbane]

morningsunshine wrote:

On page 40 of the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, the second paragraph under Channel Energy states:

"A good cleric..... channels positive energy and can CHOOSE to deal damage to undead creatures OR to heal living creatures. An evil cleric ...... channels negative energy and can CHOOSE to deal damage to living creatures OR to heal undead creatures."

I am taking this to mean that when you release your wave of energy, you need to decide if your going to damage or heal---not both. The reason I think this is because of the words in caps:choose and or. It is a very intense topic of discussion on what that means with our home group.

Any other insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'm not sure how it can be interpreted any other way. Unless the real issue with with the word CAN. Does that mean he doesn't HAVE to choose, therefore doing both?

I don't think that interpretation is valid however. First of all, it's very ticky-tack and lawyerish. Second, in the Beta it was explictly stated that Channel Energy healed AND dealt damage at the same time. The wording was changed for a reason.

[Quandary]

Agreed.

I don't think it realistically could be clearer than the current text,
bar instructions to beat one's self over the head with the rulebook.

[James Risner]

morningsunshine wrote:

wave of energy, you need to decide if your going to damage or heal---not both.

Correct, it was both AND make them run away in Beta. It was changed for balance reasons.

I played a 10th level 3.5 Cleric with PRPG Beta turning rules in Ravenloft. One combat incapacitated the whole party except me on round two IIRC. One PC (a hard core fighter) was also dominated and attacking me. I was against 5 undamaged Vampires (no spawns.) One had like 4th level spells in Sorc and Wizard (he was an Ultimate Magnus.) I killed all the vampires solo while defending against (without killing) the dominated PC. I was GOD incarnate. That was wrong on so many levels. I'm glad they made the change.

[DM_Blake]

James Risner wrote:

morningsunshine wrote:

wave of energy, you need to decide if your going to damage or heal---not both.

Correct, it was both AND make them run away in Beta. It was changed for balance reasons.

I played a 10th level 3.5 Cleric with PRPG Beta turning rules in Ravenloft. One combat incapacitated the whole party except me on round two IIRC. One PC (a hard core fighter) was also dominated and attacking me. I was against 5 undamaged Vampires (no spawns.) One had like 4th level spells in Sorc and Wizard (he was an Ultimate Magnus.) I killed all the vampires solo while defending against (without killing) the dominated PC. I was GOD incarnate. That was wrong on so many levels. I'm glad they made the change.

On the other hand, you have a sweet sweet GOD incarnate story. Under the offical Core rules, all you would have is an angsty TPK story.

So it's not all good...

[darth_borehd]

Is there a feat you can take that will let you do both again?

[Set]

darth_borehd wrote:

Is there a feat you can take that will let you do both again?

There should be.

[MattyWhiskers]

Set wrote:

darth_borehd wrote:

Is there a feat you can take that will let you do both again?

There should be.

As someone who played the Beta version and now has completely switched to Pathfinder, I was able to game play both ways with my cleric. While I agree the rule on Channeling Energy needed to be balanced, I was a bit confused about how channeling energy (Positive or Negative) could not have an inherent effect on a character of the opposite side (i.e. Positive damaging undead or Negative damaging living automatically).

I do like the idea of there being a feat to heal AND harm at the same time, just like with what they did with Turn Undead. There would need to be a few guidelines included. First, I would say to make it fair or balanced, it should be a full round action instead of a standard action as it is now. Second, it should probably be at a higher level, like 9th (Caster or Character level, that is). Third, if the standard D6 progression would be deemed too high or powerful, maybe dropping it down to a D4 would be better (I think the D6 progression should stay, personally). All other prerequisites would still apply.