Selective Channel + Darkness

[knightofstyx]

Can you select whom you want your channeling to target with the feat if you can't reliably discern their location due to some method of concealment (fog, darkness, invisible)?

[Kierato]

I wouldn't think so, but I'm not sure.I would like an answer to this too.

[Blake Duffey]

knightofstyx wrote:

Can you select whom you want your channeling to target with the feat if you can't reliably discern their location due to some method of concealment (fog, darkness, invisible)?

This 'targeting' question is a good one - I asked about the smite evil ability in a previous thread.

(my paladin was getting stabbed from a guy in the next square - but he was invisible - and my ability to activate my smite against him was in question)

There wasn't a real consensus in that thread... So I look forward to responses...

[Berto]

knightofstyx wrote:

Can you select whom you want your channeling to target with the feat if you can't reliably discern their location due to some method of concealment (fog, darkness, invisible)?

TLTR: My interpretation of the information I provided below makes me think you would not be able to Selective Channel without the ability to see said target; however, you may interpret it differently.

According to the second paragraph below Channel Energy would work even if the caster is unable to see the targets; however, the Selective Channel feat states: When you channel energy, you can choose a number of targets in the area up to your Charisma modifier. These targets are not affected by your channeled energy.

However the term target states: (this is on page 213 and 214) Target or Targets: Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting
the spell.

Page 214, heading: Effect, subheading Burst, Emanation, or Spread

Most spells that affect an area function as a burst, an emanation, or a spread. In each case, you select the spell’s point of origin and measure its effect from that point.

A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, including creatures that you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners). The default shape for a burst effect is a sphere, but some burst spells are specifically described as cone-shaped. A burst’s area defines
how far from the point of origin the spell’s effect extends.

[knightofstyx]

Your interpretation and citations look solid to me. No selective channeling if the targets have full concealment: Got it!

Thanks everyone.

[james maissen]

knightofstyx wrote:

Your interpretation and citations look solid to me. No selective channeling if the targets have full concealment: Got it!

Only if you take the spell definition for target as the definition for the supernatural ability being augmented by a feat. To whit it's the feat that has the targets and no spell is involved, so the spell definition of target is no more apt than using 'target' to mean what you are aiming your bow at..

I think it's firmly up to the DM, though if it happened in my game I think that I would not let them exclude creatures that were not visible to them.

-James

[Jess Door]

james maissen wrote:

knightofstyx wrote:

Your interpretation and citations look solid to me. No selective channeling if the targets have full concealment: Got it!

Only if you take the spell definition for target as the definition for the supernatural ability being augmented by a feat. To whit it's the feat that has the targets and no spell is involved, so the spell definition of target is no more apt than using 'target' to mean what you are aiming your bow at..

I think it's firmly up to the DM, though if it happened in my game I think that I would not let them exclude creatures that were not visible to them.

-James

I would if the character could touch them.

for example, the fighter and rogue are in front of the cleric, and darkness falls. The cleric could stumble forward and grab the shirts of some people in front of him that he thinks is the fighter and/or rogue. He could then exclude them from the channel. He wouldn't know - he could just have grabbed the BBEG's surcoat, after all. But I would allow it in that case.

[Kierato]

Another thought is to house rule it to exclude a 5 ft. square.