|
| 1 person marked this as FAQ candidate. |
Under the rules for the Paralyzed condition it states:
"A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely mental actions."
So what is a "purely mental action"?
I ask because this question came up in my last session the Cleric in the party got paralyzed, and wanted to use Channel Energy. His argument was that even though he was paralyzed he had used Channel Energy last round, and thus would have been paralyzed in such a way that he would still be "presenting his holy symbol". I allowed it, partially because I thought his argument was relatively solid, and also because the combat might have been a TPK if he hadn't used channel energy that round. But I was left wondering what a mental action actually is.
Any spell that doesn't have Verbal, Somatic or Material components? Maybe some extraordinary abilities? AFAIK, the term isn't defined in the rulebook.
An action that does not require physical movement. A stilled silent spell would be an example. So would an SLA or a psionic power(if the GM allows them). Some supernatural abilities also apply.
Are there any magic items that allow activation by thought alone? Maybe some of the rings.
I had a situation where I was paralysed while under a 'fly' spell. I argued that magical flight was a purely mental activity, and I should still be able to control my movement that way. The GM ruled that I plummeted helplessly.
Mean GM is mean. The rules even say, for paralyzed: "A winged creature flying in the air at the time that it becomes paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls." You should not have fell.
You can't expect a GM to know and follow every little rule. It's not like it explicitly says what does happen to a paralyzed creature who's flying without wings, and the fall damage wasn't that much.
Although, come to think of it, I awoke a demi-lich when I landed, and most of the group had their souls eaten, and it ended the campaign, so I wasn't exactly happy about the decision.
The thread raises a good question. The spell's text says "purely mental action," yet it does not provide a list - and there is no mention of which actions are "purely mental" anywhere else. A Quickened spell? An SLA or Stilled, Silent spell (the two are roughly equivalent)? Which Supernatural abilities would still be effective? - This ought to be addressed.
A quickened spell does not remove somatic or verbal components It just means you can cast quickly. A still spell does not remove the need to talk. A silent spell does not remove the need to move. A stilled and silenced spell would qualify in my opinion. It also qualified under 3.5 rules.
Druid shapechange, so you can play possum.
Silent dimension door.
Concentrate on a spell and roll the Flaming sphere over to the guy who paralyzed you