Are rays targeted spells?

[blahpers]

And, if so, are they creature-targeted spells? The answers has several ramifications:

1. Can you put a ray spell in a dagger +1 of spell storing, given that the spell storing description specifies that the spell must be a targeted spell?
2. Can you (effectively) use a ray spell on a swarm, given that the swarm is immune to spells and effects that target a specific number of creatures?

Arguments I've heard so far:

1. Scorching ray is a targeted spell, as the caster is instructed to choose a number of targets by the description.
2. Ray spells are never targeted spells because they don't have a "Target" section in their spell header; instead, they have an "Effect" section.
3. Ray spells are targeted spells because they are, for all intents and purposes, ranged weapons, right down to the attack roll and how they work when you can't see the intended target.
4. Ray spells are not targeted spells because of the same logic in #3.
5. Ray spells are targeted spells because swarm rules specifically call out disintegrate (a ray spell) as an example of a targeted spell that doesn't effect swarms. (The language is clear enough that, if ray spells are not targeted spells, this text would be in need of erratum.)
6. Ray spells are not targeted spells because if they were, swarms would be immune to them and, thus, swarms are too difficult to ever be less than CR3. (This one came from James Jacobs, IIRC.)

At the risk of begging for FAQ candidacy, an official response would be helpful.

Much obliged.

[King of Vrock]

No a ray is typically an "effect" spell. Look at the info at the top of every spell and you'll see that spells will have a line saying either area, effect, or target.

Example::

Ray of Enfeeblement

School necromancy; Level sorcerer/wizard 1

Casting Time 1 standard action

Components V, S

Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)

Effect ray

Duration 1 round/level

Saving Throw Fortitude half; Spell Resistance yes

A coruscating ray springs from your hand. You must succeed on a ranged touch attack to strike a target. The subject takes a penalty to Strength equal to 1d6+1 per two caster levels (maximum 1d6+5). The subject's Strength score cannot drop below 1. A successful Fortitude save reduces this penalty by half. This penalty does not stack with itself. Apply the highest penalty instead.

versus

Haste

School transmutation; Level bard 3, sorcerer/wizard 3

Casting Time 1 standard action

Components V, S, M (a shaving of licorice root)

Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)

Targets one creature/level, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart

Duration 1 round/level

Saving Throw Fortitude negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)

The transmuted creatures move and act more quickly than normal. This extra speed has several effects.

and finally

Fireball

School evocation [fire]; Level sorcerer/wizard 3

Casting Time 1 standard action

Components V, S, M (a ball of bat guano and sulfur)

Range long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)

Area 20-ft.-radius spread

Duration instantaneous

Saving Throw Reflex half; Spell Resistance yes

A fireball spell generates a searing explosion of flame that detonates with a low roar and deals 1d6 points of fire damage per caster level (maximum 10d6) to every creature within the area. Unattended objects also take this damage. The explosion creates almost no pressure.

Just because the spell can target a creature doesn't make it a target spell, thus if it's not a target spell (pretty much ever y ray is an effect spell) its not legal for spell storing.

--Schoolhouse Vrock

[Godwyn]

A benefit of them not being targeted is that you can fire a ray at something that you otherwise could not target.

I go with #4 myself. They are not targeted because of their quite different mechanics, but I agree it is unclear and could use a faq.

[Cheapy]

Vrock's right; if it doesn't have "Target" in it, it's not really a "target" spell. Kinda weird, but important.

[WRoy]

Do note that for #5 disintegrate is special because it's explicitly mentioned in the swarm creature subtype verbage plus limited to striking a single individual creature regardless of size by the spell's descriptive text. That's what makes it be called out in the swarm text, not the fact that it's a ray effect.

If any other ray has verbage similar to disintegrate's, "Only the first creature or object struck can be affected; that is, the ray affects only one target per casting," then it would probably not affect a swarm.