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The spell says immediately upon completion of the spell. It's a full round casting time. It also says it's a standard action to call a bolt.
So, the way I've interpreted it is that at the completion of the spell, right before the druid goes again, he can call a bolt of lightning. Then he has his normal standard and move action for his turn, during which he can NOT call a second bolt of lightning. Or can he? Argh!
SCENARIO 1
Round 1: Druid starts casting Call Lightning.
Druid finishes Call Lightning, bolt does 3d6 to something.
Round 2: Druid has Standard and Move actions, can NOT throw a second bolt yet.
OR...
SCENARIO 2
Round 1: Druid begins casting.
Druid finishes casting.
Round 2: Druid uses standard action to fire bolt.
OR...
SCENARIO 3
Round 1: Druid begins.
Druid finishes, 3d6 to something.
Round 2: Druid uses a standard action to do another 3d6 to something.
I've seen it argued all three ways, and I've been going with Scenario 1 upon review, but initially interpreted it as Scenario 2.
I think it''s Scenario 2, because you finish Casting the spell and get your Bolts before your turn, meaning technically it's a new round for you when you finish (remember, rounds are measured between your initiative for you, though there is also the overhead round for making life easier for those "In 2D6 rounds X appears" situations)
so you can cast the spell, get your bolts, and then standard for more bolts.
at least, that's How I'd rule it.
After reading the spell and the description of a 1 round casting time, I would go with scenario 1.
The effects of a 1 round casting time go off immediately before your next turn, and that is when you may call down your first bolt (immediately upon finishing the spell) and on your next turn (right after you finished casting the spell) you may spend a standard action to call another bolt.
Related question:
If something poisons you, and you have to make Fort saves, is that every round on his initiative, or on yours?
The spell says immediately upon completion of the spell. It's a full round casting time. It also says it's a standard action to call a bolt.
So, the way I've interpreted it is that at the completion of the spell, right before the druid goes again, he can call a bolt of lightning. Then he has his normal standard and move action for his turn, during which he can NOT call a second bolt of lightning. Or can he? Argh!
SCENARIO 1
Round 1: Druid starts casting Call Lightning.
Druid finishes Call Lightning, bolt does 3d6 to something.
Round 2: Druid has Standard and Move actions, can NOT throw a second bolt yet.OR...
SCENARIO 2
Round 1: Druid begins casting.
Druid finishes casting.
Round 2: Druid uses standard action to fire bolt.OR...
SCENARIO 3
Round 1: Druid begins.
Druid finishes, 3d6 to something.
Round 2: Druid uses a standard action to do another 3d6 to something.I've seen it argued all three ways, and I've been going with Scenario 1 upon review, but initially interpreted it as Scenario 2.
Upon reading the spell, it would seem that Scenario 1 is correct by the rules. I have always played it as Scenario 2, however.
Edit: Upon rereading the spell, S3 seems more correct. Aww, who am I kidding. I have no earthly idea.
For reference, the text of the spell is:
thereafter, you may call down a 5-foot-wide, 30-foot-long, vertical
bolt of lightning that deals 3d6 points of electricity damage. The
bolt of lightning flashes down in a vertical stroke at whatever
target point you choose within the spell’s range (measured from
your position at the time). Any creature in the target square or in
the path of the bolt is affected.
You need not call a bolt of lightning immediately; other actions,
even spellcasting, can be performed first. Each round after the first
you may use a standard action (concentrating on the spell) to call a
bolt. You may call a total number of bolts equal to your caster level
(maximum 10 bolts).
If you are outdoors and in a stormy area—a rain shower, clouds
and wind, hot and cloudy conditions, or even a tornado (including
a whirlwind formed by a djinni or an air elemental of at least Large
size)—each bolt deals 3d10 points of electricity damage instead of 3d6.
This spell functions indoors or underground but not underwater.
"Immediately upon completion of the spell" would seem to indicate that the first bolt occurs on the caster's initiative after the spell is completed, much like a summon monster spell.
"...and once per round thereafter..." would seem to indicate that the caster can immediately summon another bolt as a standard action, effectively gaining two "strokes" in the same turn. Given the casting time, this seems reasonable. I think. Definitely in need of a clarification.
I always imagined scenario 2 to be the correct one, too, because I saw it as the druid brewing up the storm in his casting time and afterwards being able to call the lightning strokes from it. I think I'll keep sticking to that one.
From the wording itself it's a little hard to tell, but I'd say that coming into effect "just before the beginning of your turn" (1 round casting) and "immediately upon completion of the spell [...] you may call" are meant to describe the same moment for you to act, namely the start of your turn. "Immediately" should not be read as "take an immediate action".
I think it''s Scenario 2, because you finish Casting the spell and get your Bolts before your turn, meaning technically it's a new round for you when you finish (remember, rounds are measured between your initiative for you, though there is also the overhead round for making life easier for those "In 2D6 rounds X appears" situations)
so you can cast the spell, get your bolts, and then standard for more bolts.
at least, that's How I'd rule it.
just Fixing that I meant scenario 1, where you conjure the storm and get two bolts.
I see it as the first round is generating the storm, with a(plural) target(s) in mind (so that when the storm forms, you get your bolt(s) for free) and then you can pick and choose afterwards.
I humbly suggest that perhaps a few clicks on the FAQ would be a good way to indicate to Paizo that a clarification might be in order.
In the section describing how you cast bolts after the first the text states: "Each round after the first" implying not on the first, "you may use a standard action (concentrating on the spell) to call a
bolt."
So, you get a bolt when the spell completes but you can't use a standard action to call a bolt in the round you completed the spell. You can only call down bolts "once per round thereafter". (After the round you completed the spell)
IMHO
"You need not call a bolt of lightning immediately; other actions,
even spellcasting, can be performed first"
suggest a scenario 3.
In the section describing how you cast bolts after the first the text states: "Each round after the first" implying not on the first, "you may use a standard action (concentrating on the spell) to call a bolt."
"Each round after the first" might just as well mean that you get NO bolt in the first round (while you're casting); it even says "You need not call a bolt of lightning immediately".
1 round = Cast Call Lighting = Full-Round Action.
2nd round = Spell effect takes place (3d6 to one target). = It comes into effect just before the beginning of your turn in the round after you begain casting the spell.
2nd round = You then act normally after the spell is completed (what in the world does that mean !!), well i guess you can take another standard action or move action to Redirect the spell to hit another target for 3d6 damage, or choose to not do so, and take some other standard action or move action instead.
3rd round = Free to perform some other action, cast, move, or concentrate and use a standard action to drop another lighting bolt on someones head.
.................
Anyway a spell that take one round to cast is a full-round action. It comes into effect just before the beginning of your turn in the round after you began casting the spell. You then act normally after the spell is completed...... page 187.
1 round = Cast Call Lighting = Full-Round Action.
2nd round = Spell effect takes place (3d6 to one target). = It comes into effect just before the beginning of your turn in the round after you begain casting the spell.
2nd round = You then act normally after the spell is completed (what in the world does that mean !!), well i guess you can take another standard action or move action to Redirect the spell to hit another target for 3d6 damage, or choose to not do so, and take some other standard action or move action instead.
3rd round = Free to perform some other action, cast, move, or concentrate and use a standard action to drop another lighting bolt on someones head.
.................
Anyway a spell that take one round to cast is a full-round action. It comes into effect just before the beginning of your turn in the round after you began casting the spell. You then act normally after the spell is completed...... page 187.
According to my understanding of the rules as they are written, this reading of the rules sounds correct to me.
Well, whew! I was really scared that I was the only one that I had no idea how this spell read. Now I know that everyone is confused. Maybe I'll look into the FAQs to see if we can get some "official" clarification.
I think the question is, is the round you start casting the spell round 1 or is the one we are refering to as round 2 considered "the first" by the spell. Its unclear.
I vote option 3.
I didn't realize this spell was a full round action. Not sure why it is, since it is fairly on par with spells like flaming sphere. My druid player is going to be mad.
I think the question is, is the round you start casting the spell round 1 or is the one we are refering to as round 2 considered "the first" by the spell. Its unclear.
I vote option 3.
I didn't realize this spell was a full round action. Not sure why it is, since it is fairly on par with spells like flaming sphere. My druid player is going to be mad.
The round you start casting a the spell is round 0. Otherwise, a if a first level character casts summon monster, it's over before it starts.
Since you can only use a standard action to call a bolt "after the first [round]"
0th round: start casting
1st round: optional free bolt(before your turn). Cannot use standard action to bolt.
1) yes, maximize would effect every bolt.
2) (bonus information!) If you are a specific forum (like Rules Questions, Advice etc) just to the right of the forum name at the top of the screen is a link for "start new discussion" or something close to that.
2) 'Add New Thread' actually.