Chill touch question

[Douglas Muir 406]

Yes, I know Chill Touch has been extensively discussed. But I'm not sure this question has been addressed.

Relevant bits from the spell description:

Quote:

Range touch

Targets creature or creatures touched (up to one/level)
Duration instantaneous

A touch from your hand, which glows with blue energy, disrupts the life force of living creatures. Each touch channels negative energy that deals 1d6 points of damage. The touched creature also takes 1 point of Strength damage unless it makes a successful Fortitude saving throw. You can use this melee touch attack up to one time per level.

Okay, so. My understanding is that Bob the Sorceror can cast this spell and then start making touch attacks left, right and center until he's used up that "one time per level". If he's seventh level, he can make seven touch attacks. Do I have this right?

My question, then. There doesn't seem to be a duration for how long he can do this. I mean, on Round 1 he casts and gets a touch attack along with it. Round 2, he gets another. Round 3, he chugs a potion or does something else. Round 4, he makes another touch attack. And he can keep on mixing up other actions with Chill Touch touch attacks until he runs out of "one time per level". Is this correct?

Because if it is, then he could cast Chill Touch every morning, charge himself up, and be ready to start making touch attacks in combat. That would seem... weird.

Any guidance?

Doug M.

[Name Violation]

Touch Spells in Combat

Many spells have a range of touch. To use these spells, you cast the spell and then touch the subject. In the same round that you cast the spell, you may also touch (or attempt to touch) as a free action. You may take your move before casting the spell, after touching the target, or between casting the spell and touching the target. You can automatically touch one friend or use the spell on yourself, but to touch an opponent, you must succeed on an attack roll.

Touch Attacks: Touching an opponent with a touch spell is considered to be an armed attack and therefore does not provoke attacks of opportunity. The act of casting a spell, however, does provoke an attack of opportunity. Touch attacks come in two types: melee touch attacks and ranged touch attacks. You can score critical hits with either type of attack as long as the spell deals damage. Your opponent's AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.

Holding the Charge: If you don't discharge the spell in the round when you cast the spell, you can hold the charge indefinitely. You can continue to make touch attacks round after round. If you touch anything or anyone while holding a charge, even unintentionally, the spell discharges. If you cast another spell, the touch spell dissipates. You can touch one friend as a standard action or up to six friends as a full-round action. Alternatively, you may make a normal unarmed attack (or an attack with a natural weapon) while holding a charge. In this case, you aren't considered armed and you provoke attacks of opportunity as normal for the attack. If your unarmed attack or natural weapon attack normally doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity, neither does this attack. If the attack hits, you deal normal damage for your unarmed attack or natural weapon and the spell discharges. If the attack misses, you are still holding the charge.

[Axl]

Douglas, I believe that your interpretation is correct.

However if the sorcerer casts a spell while holding a charge, the the touch spell dissipates.

Also, if the sorcerer touches anything at all while holding a charge, the touch "attack" occurs. This could be problem if the sorcerer needs to take a pee.

[Grick]

Axl wrote:

Also, if the sorcerer touches anything at all while holding a charge, the touch "attack" occurs. This could be problem if the sorcerer needs to take a pee.

Ah yes, the Paladin's embarrassment: You are never not touching yourself.

[Mage Evolving]

You can hold it as long as you don't touch anyone or anything but that seems impractical. It's only really nice if your dm allows you to use it with a strong unarmed attack (flurry of blows), you are fighting kobolds, or you are trying to gimp a character via a very slow strength drain.