I want to verify one thing in the spell Pyrotechnics. It’s written that:
Smoke Cloud: All within the cloud take –4 penalties to Strength and Dexterity (Fortitude negates).
Is it really -4 for the 2 abilities or like when you’re blind, it’s “only” -4 for Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks?
It's a penalty to Strength and Dexterity, period. So it would affect attack rolls, AC, Reflex saves, melee weapon damage, etc.
I want to verify one thing in the spell Pyrotechnics. It’s written that:
Smoke Cloud: All within the cloud take –4 penalties to Strength and Dexterity (Fortitude negates).
Is it really -4 for the 2 abilities or like when you’re blind, it’s “only” -4 for Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks?
As Lathiira said; it isn't "hard" to carry make Str and Dex checks in the smoke, it is smoke inhalation and so it weakens the creatures (unless they don't breathe).
Doesn't say that you need to breathe nor see to be affected. Smoke should cause vision impairments anyway. It is implied by the description of the cloud as "choking", but I wouldn't use that as a RAW justification of the effects unless I really felt like rules-lawyering (and badly). Using the RAI, however, you could make a case that anyone trying to breathe is affected by the strength and dex penalties. You'd have to hold your breath to avoid them, following the rules for that. But visibility would be reduced regardless for normal vision (and darkvision, as the spell itself calls out). You'd want blindsight to navigate it; even scent wouldn't help, as it's smoke that will foul up anyone's sense of smell.
In short, pyrotechnics creates a nasty smoke cloud, the kind firefighters use oxygen tanks for and hope they can navigate through.
Can I throw a question in as well.
Does the target need to breath or see to be affected by the smoke?
Of course the spell doesn't say, but it certainly makes a case for only breathing creatures being affected (by the ability penalties). The description calls it "a choking cloud of smoke", and this effect specifically rules out Spell Resistance. That says to me that this use of the spell creates an actual cloud of thick smoke rather than a magical cloud, and therefore you should apply some realistic physics to it.
I'm sure some people will jump all over this as not RAW, but if all you care about is winning a case in court....when do you PLAY?