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Maybe this has been addressed, but I couldn't find with a search.
When used against an object, the ray simply disintegrates as much as a 10-foot cube of nonliving matter. Thus, the spell disintegrates only part of any very large object or structure targeted.
Bolding mine. I'm wondering whether the caster is limited to disintegrating matter within a 10-ft cube shape, or if he can affect an equivalent amount of matter (1,000 cubic feet) in a different shape; say to tunnel a 40-ft long passage that's 5-ft wide by 5-ft high.
As a secondary question, what occurs when a disintegration ray meets a target that is living matter but not a creature such as a tree? Are plants somehow immune to disintegration?
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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1.) The area disintegrated by the spell is defined as a cube, thus it is implied that the area cannot be modified. Now, if directing the spell against an object that happens to be 40'x5'x5', then it would work since it affects the entirety of the target object, but you couldn't use the spell to simply bore a hole through rock in such a way. There are other spells for that kind of thing specifically (such as passwall).
2.) A tree is not a creature, therefore it is an object. Treat accordingly.
2.) A tree is not a creature, therefore it is an object. Treat accordingly.
So, you're suggesting that a tree is non-living matter?
1.) The area disintegrated by the spell is defined as a cube, thus it is implied that the area cannot be modified. Now, if directing the spell against an object that happens to be 40'x5'x5', then it would work since it affects the entirety of the target object
If I may play Devil's advocate...
It seems strange to say, in the first instance, that the spell is limited by the area's size and, in the second instance, that it's limited by the area's volume. That is to say, if we assume that your initial interpretation is correct, wouldn't that likewise limit you to disintegrating only a 10-ft length of a 40'x5'x5' object; the amount of the object which can fit into a 10-ft cube?
A tree is not a creature, therefore it is an object. Treat accordingly.
But it also isn't composed on "nonliving matter" which the spell description stipulates as being a condition for disintegrating an object.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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2.) A tree is not a creature, therefore it is an object. Treat accordingly.So, you're suggesting that a tree is non-living matter?
I'm suggesting that the mechanics of the game divide every physical thing into two types: creatures and objects. If it doesn't have a statblock and it can't take actions, it's an object. A tree fits this description, ergo it is an object.
It seems strange to say, in the first instance, that the spell is limited by the area's size and, in the second instance, that it's limited by the area's volume. That is to say, if we assume that your initial interpretation is correct, wouldn't that likewise limit you to disintegrating only a 10-ft length of a 40'x5'x5' object; the amount of the object which can fit into a 10-ft cube?
You may disintegrate "as much as a 10-ft cube." This implies 100 cubic feet of material. If disintegrating an item larger than 100 cu. ft. (such as disintegrating a section of cavern wall), it destroys a 10' cube as the spell dictates. If used against a standalone object, it is capable of destroying a similar volume of material (i.e. up to 100 cu. ft.).
If you allow disintegrate to "bore holes" at the caster's whim through material, you effectively eliminate the need for spells like passwall which does PRECISELY that same thing (bore holes through material).
As to the second point (re: trees and non-living matter), if the spell can disintegrate a person (which is living) then it can disintegrate a tree (which is also living). The rules pertaining to objects are simply more applicable than the ones for creatures in the case of a tree.
In v3.5, the difference between an object and a creature was the presence or absence of the Wisdom/Charisma scores. That's what you need to have in order to differentiate yourself from your environment and have "awareness." Every creature has those two scores. Without them, you are an object.
RD is correct.
In v3.5, the difference between an object and a creature was the presence or absence of the Wisdom/Charisma scores. That's what you need to have in order to differentiate yourself from your environment and have "awareness." Every creature has those two scores. Without them, you are an object.
So this means trees are immune to disintegrate in all ways? Can't be targeted as creatures and are not unliving.
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In v3.5, the difference between an object and a creature was the presence or absence of the Wisdom/Charisma scores. That's what you need to have in order to differentiate yourself from your environment and have "awareness." Every creature has those two scores. Without them, you are an object.So this means trees are immune to disintegrate in all ways? Can't be targeted as creatures and are not unliving.
By RAW yes. By RAI maybe not.
So is Fatespinner correct on the first point? Are there any opposing views?
So is Fatespinner correct on the first point? Are there any opposing views?
Apart from his miscalculation, yes...;-) It's 1000 cubic feet, not 100.
I don't think that shaping the effect of the disintegration spell was ever intended. Take, for example, a gigantic contruction that stands on several pillars 300' x 300'. Disintegrate a sheared slice of material from one of these pillars 1/10th of a foot thick, and the whole thing topples over.
On the other hand, I would rule that the affected area is spherical. I cannot imagine a death ray that rips cubic holes. 25ft - 30ft diameter is about right.
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In v3.5, the difference between an object and a creature was the presence or absence of the Wisdom/Charisma scores. That's what you need to have in order to differentiate yourself from your environment and have "awareness." Every creature has those two scores. Without them, you are an object.
In pathfinder a creature is defined as Creature: A creature is an active participant in the story or world. This includes PCs, NPCs, and monsters.
So tree is not a creature. The only other classification in the game is object so tree=object.
Regarding how disintegrate works I agree with Fatespinner.
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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On the other hand, I would rule that the affected area is spherical. I cannot imagine a death ray that rips cubic holes. 25ft - 30ft diameter is about right.
Math nitpick:25 foot diameter is way more than 1000 cubic feet (it's about 8181 cubic feet). About 12.5 foot diameter would be correct.
I see it as this: the "disintegration" energy/effect/what have you hits an object and travels through it (instantly) turning it into dust. If you hit an oddly shaped object that fits under 1000 cubic feet, it gets the whole thing. If the object is larger, the "energy" works until a 10 foot cube is gone.
Cube vs. sphere..eh, it's magic.
If you really want to crack down on players using disintegrate for easy travel, rule that a single "object" is a single brick of a wall or rock in a cave in.
Math nitpick:25 foot diameter is way more than 1000 cubic feet (it's about 8181 cubic feet). About 12.5 foot diameter would be correct.
Er... yes. Saw Fatespinner's 100, nitpicked it to 1000, and did the math with 10000.
Mea culpa.
I cannot imagine a death ray that rips cubic holes.
That's because it's not a death ray but rather an excavation ray which happens to obliterate any creatures who get in the way. This spell handedly explains the existence of the countless square-cut 10-ft wide dungeon corridors and dungeon rooms with interior volumes which can be expressed as multiple 10-ft by 10-ft cubes.
If you think I'm kidding, consider for a moment that you've never seen a dungeon with a hill of excavated material on the surface nearby. ;)
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I cannot imagine a death ray that rips cubic holes.That's because it's not a death ray but rather an excavation ray which happens to obliterate any creatures who get in the way. This spell handedly explains the existence of the countless square-cut 10-ft wide dungeon corridors and dungeon rooms with interior spaces which can be easily expressed as multiple 10-ft by 10-ft cubes.
If you think I'm kidding, consider for a moment that you've never seen a dungeon with a hill of excavated material on the surface nearby. ;)
Probably created by that same mad wizard who created the gelatinous cube. Who else thinks in 10' cubes?
Probably created by that same mad wizard who created the gelatinous cube. Who else thinks in 10' cubes?
More likely it's a fantasy laws of physics/magic thing. Empty spaces in subterranean areas tend to form cubically in the same way that crystals, for instance, tend to grow hexagonally. Gelatinous cubes simply evolved to take advantage of this natural/magical phenomenon.
;)
Seems that we have a strong 3-5 person consensus in line with what Fatespinner was saying. So kudos to him and thanks to all for the help.