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| 1 person marked this as FAQ candidate. |
Ok, so here I have a first level character trying to cast this spell and up come a dozen questions about how the spell actually functions mechanics-wise.
#1) Do you actually target a creature(s) with the spell or just an area?
-1a) If it's a creature than it can effect any other creature within
30' feet if the HD rolled are enough (going from lowest HD first
and then closest to point of origin). Thus it can effect a
creature beyond your initial range for the spell. Normally, this
type of targeting is indicated with a "Targets" heading under the
spell which in this case does not exist.
-1b) If it's an area, than how big is it? It defines the distance
between creatures but not the area it effects.
#2) The spell seems to indicate that what it effects is not entirely under the spellcasters control. Thus the creatures with the fewest HD within the area (whatever it is?!) are effected first. Yet it goes on to indicate that it is possible to effect only one creature, giving it a -2 penalty to it's save. If it's not under the spellcasters control, than is it just pure luck or a very difficult situation to set up (i.e. that no other creatures are within 30' of the target) that only one creature is effected.
-2a) If it's uncontrolled than does it effect friends? And if that's
the case than you can only cast it out to 25' feet at 1st level
so you are yourself very likely to be in the area should you
roll high enough HD.
#3) So early in the spell description it says the affected creatures stare blankly at you and then it later says you can make a simple request of the creature while it is fascinated. So does it try and accomplish the request during the spell or does it begin trying after the spell expires and just stare until then?
-3a) It kind of has the effect of a poor man's Suggestion spell.
What makes the suggestion spell more powerful? (as a third
level spell it should be) Because even after the hypnotism
request spell wears off the request seems to stay in place.
That's a whole lot of vagueness for one 1st level spell...
you are right, it is rather muddy, I'd say you cast it on one creature or on a group, it does seem like you do not have control if cast in a group, much like the sleep spell does.
It seems best if you cast a 30'diameter spread for the area affected, I'll have to assume you yourself won't be affected.
well agreed it is pretty good as a spell, though 1 round cast time, it only shifts creatures 2 attitudes towards friendly, and just 2d4 hitdice of creatures. suggestion doesnt have a somatic component ?
hmm well it has some uses suggestion doesn't have, I think the 1st lvl spell is restrictive against many opponenets and harder to use in combat.
I too am interested in the answer to this question. Does anybody have any info?
If your allies are in the area are they also affected? C'mon, I know some of you old timers :D have the answer to this...
It seems the spell is supposed to work like sleep, but it was badly written. The issue is we don't know what the intended "radius burst" is. I think we should hit the FAQ button.
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Ok, so here I have a first level character trying to cast this spell and up come a dozen questions about how the spell actually functions mechanics-wise.
#1) Do you actually target a creature(s) with the spell or just an area?
It is indeed an area effect. All affected creatures must be within 30-ft. of one another and must be within the spell's range.
Hypnotism[/i]]
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Area several living creatures, no two of which may be more than 30 ft. apart
#2) The spell seems to indicate that what it effects is not entirely under the spellcasters control. Thus the creatures with the fewest HD within the area (whatever it is?!) are effected first. Yet it goes on to indicate that it is possible to effect only one creature, giving it a -2 penalty to it's save. If it's not under the spellcasters control, than is it just pure luck or a very difficult situation to set up (i.e. that no other creatures are within 30' of the target) that only one creature is effected.
You are correct, which creatures are affected isn't entirely under the control of the caster (as with the sleep spell) but is on par for a 1st level spell's capability.
What the caster does have control over is where and when the spell is cast. If there is only one target in range (and you're not in combat) then they will only effect that single target per the spell's description. There is a multi-variant effect depending on the circumstances of the spell's use. Some conditions may be harder to achieve than others with non-combat application being the best use of the spell.
-2a) If it's uncontrolled than does it effect friends? And if that's the case than you can only cast it out to 25' feet at 1st level so you are yourself very likely to be in the area should you roll high enough HD.
As with other area spells (burning hands, colorspray, etc.) you do not want your allies to be in the area of effect so you'll need to make sure they are not within 30ft. of your desired target(s) or are more powerful (i.e. higher hit dice) so that they aren't likely to be affected. Again, since the application is best used in non-combat this should be relatively simple to achieve.
We should assume the caster is not affected by their own voice and spell. A agree that should indeed by clarified in an FAQ.
#3) So early in the spell description it says the affected creatures stare blankly at you and then it later says you can make a simple request of the creature while it is fascinated. So does it try and accomplish the request during the spell or does it begin trying after the spell expires and just stare until then?
-3a) It kind of has the effect of a poor man's Suggestion spell.
What makes the suggestion spell more powerful? (as a third...
Yes it is a poor man's suggestion. Suggestion can make targets do something they wouldn't ordinarily do without endangering themselves and can have a triggering event as well as last several hours. A request via hypnotism will only allow the targets affected to submit to an immediate request they would only perform for others they have the same attitude towards. So what the request can get the caster is much more limited in duration and scope compared to suggestion.
For example, after visiting the evil duke's castle to parlay (unsuccessfully I might add) the party wizard stops by the castle gate house and (after determining the guard just started his shift) casts suggestion on the guard and states:
"As an honored guest to the Duke, I would appreciate if you would immediately open the gates upon my return to the castle."
Two hours later when the party returns to the castle in full force and ready to take down the evil duke the castle gates open immediately...
That is of course far beyond the capability of the hypnotize spell.
So if I cast this during combat and it affects an enemy combatant, what types of suggestions could I make that would be beneficial?