A situation came up in yesterday's game where my barbarian needed to channel energy whilst raging. We assumed you could do it as supernatural abilities don't provoke and therefore probably don't require concentration, but I can't find that written anywhere in the book.
Is there an official ruling on that combo, or reference to supernatural abilities [not] requiring concentration anywhere? A search on the messageboards just brought up an old question about the beta rules.
I'm assuming spell-like abilities (domain powers) can't be used whilst raging. Is that right?
There's a barbarian/monk in a Pathfinder AP that uses ki points while raging.
I think a barbarian channeling energy is right out-- it requires you to present your holy symbol strongly. Domain powers, however, I would allow, since most of them don't require much more than the decision to use them.
There's a barbarian/monk in a Pathfinder AP that uses ki points while raging.
I think a barbarian channeling energy is right out-- it requires you to present your holy symbol strongly. Domain powers, however, I would allow, since most of them don't require much more than the decision to use them.
Is there anything that says a holy symbol needs to be wielded in one hand to use channel energy, or does it just need to be worn/possessed? Supernatural abilities don't need components, so I read the reference about using the symbol as flavour text. It may of course be an exception to the rule, but it matters when using weapon and shield.
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I can only speak to my own games, as I'm not really a rules lawyer type...
That being said, if you were playing that PC in my game, I'd allow you to channel while raging. You're probably not attacking in the same round that you're channeling, so you end up losing most of the benefits of your rage that round, essentially wasting a daily round of the ability. It's not exactly overpowered - it should be a valid option, IMHO.
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Channel energy is a supernatural ability that releases a weave of energy by channeling faith through the holy or unholy symbol.
Rage prohibits charisma, dex, or intelligence-based skills, or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
Channel energy is not a skill. It doesn't require patience since it requires the same amount of time as a single attack, which obviously the barbarian can do.
It doesn't require concentration, since it has no duration. There's nothing to "concentrate" on. Also, there are many spells who's duration is listed by concentration + x rounds. This ability doesn't list a requirement of concentration to maintain. Another argument as to why it doesn't.
Channel energy does not require a holy symbol to be held in a hand. The cleric must simply be able to present her holy symbol to use this ability. Thus, the simplest way to handle that is to place it on the shield or the pommel of the weapon or weapons, or even as a tattoo on the back of the hand. Thus, it's present whenever you need it.
As a final word, in case your DM decides that you can't do it while raging, take the moment of clarity rage power to allow you to activate it anyhow.
I like the clean dividing line of...
If it provokes AoOs then it requires concentration.
Thus spells and spell like abilities cannot be used while raging. Supernatural abilities can be used while raging.
Clean and simple.
The raging cleric surrounded by undead roaring and sending out a huge burst of energy that obliterates the vile creatures threatening to overpower him?
Awesome.
Exactly. I don't think there's a solid rule clarification on the issue, but flavor and balance wise it seems fine.