Words Of Power: Selected Target Word--Ranged Touch or Save?


Rules Questions


Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere--my search-fu didn't turn up a direct answer, but it may be weak...

I'm thinking of converting my favorite blasty fire sorceress concept to Words of Power, as the flexibility of targeting options could make up for the loss of utility spells. (Plus, the Efreeti bloodline arcana lets me grab things like Icy Blast to make fire spells that stagger the target, nice!) However, I'm getting pretty confused about the Selected target word.

To wit, the text says:

Words of Power wrote:


Target A wordspell with this target word affects a single target within range. If the wordspell deals energy damage, this word creates a ray that requires a ranged touch attack to hit, or it can be used as a melee touch attack with no range (decided by the wordcaster when the wordspell is cast). If it is used as a melee touch attack and the attack misses, the wordcaster can hold the charge and try again with subsequent attacks.

...which says to me, that if the spell does energy damage, it requires a ranged touch and grants no save. (And would be eligible for Weapon Focus, etc.) But this does not seem to be consistently followed in the text, including the example spell they gave (the Selected Icy Blast Life Leech--but that spell seems to be illegal anyway, so there you are.)

So does selected + energy damage remove the save in favor of ranged touch? Or does the Effect Word description of a saving throw override that? RAW written seems to me to say so, but the Effect word descriptions seem at variance to this.

It's enough to make me shelve the idea and go back to my traditional combination of rules exploits and spell hacks :D


The spell requires a ranged touch attack, and whether or not it requires a save as well depends on the effect word. The cantrip effect words specifically say that if the spell requires a touch attack, it does not give a save... the other words, however, do (higher level words) which isn't all that inconsistent with comparable spells.

So the answer is "yes, ranged touch attack" and "maybe, gives a save, depends on the effect word's own save entry". Unless the effect word says otherwise it'll end up allowing a save to avoid/partial as well as requiring a ranged touch attack.


*Headsmack* Of course, I somehow managed to mentally conflate the two descriptions.

My goodness, that's some weak tea there. WoP could be a really useful system but the designers seem to have gone out of their way to nerf it. Ranged Touch + Save is where I get off the train, and the (still unmended, even though I think the RAI clearly wanted you to be able to do it) inability to combine instantaneous effects with effects with a longer duration...I dunno. (Shakes head sadly.)


As an optional spell system, you can decide on how this works, but note this section on saving throws:

Saving Throw
Most spells that directly affect creatures with a magical effect should allow a saving throw. Spells that create nonmagical materials that then strike or impede creatures (such as ice storm and sleet storm) do not normally require a saving throw.

Spells that require the caster to make an attack roll to hit (even if it's a ranged touch attack) may or may not require a saving throw (enervation and searing light do not, disintegrate does). Attack effects that do not require rolling damage should always allow a saving throw to reduce or negate the effect; otherwise, the spell becomes an obvious choice for anyone of the level to cast it.

However, there's also this on Reflex Saves:

Reflex Save: Spells with Reflex saves usually create a physical burst or spread in an area, like an explosion, which the target is able to dodge with a successful saving throw. In general, making a successful Reflex save means the target dodged the effect, or the effect rolled over or around the target with a lesser effect. Note that you shouldn't build a spell where the caster makes an attack roll and the target also makes a Reflex saving throw; doing so brings Dexterity into play twice for the same spell (once for the target's AC, once for the target's Reflex save modifier).

My suggestion? If a damage dealing aspect of the spell allows a non-reflex save OR if the spell deals damage without rolling (Harm style), then the save stays. If not? Then you're already rolling to hit once; get rid of any reflex saves for half-damage, but remember to keep all saves for additional effects, which can be negated, even on a successful hit.

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