|
How many FREE ACTION touch attacks can one take in the round that one casts this spell. The indication is 1/level (per spell description). Does that really mean a mage can make 20 attacks per turn at level 20?
The reason I ask isn't because of mages per se (rogue w/ surprise round casts this and mades 20 sneak attacks, plus crippling strike = -40 str no save?...)
I also realize that the description of free action says a gm can limit them. But am wondering because of the spell's 1/level and instantanious duration - doesn't that mean they all have to be taken in the same round?
(Am I a rules mongering diety, who just figured out how to get a rogue to deal 20d6 base, + 200d6 sneak attack, + 20 (possible) str, +40 no save str damage with ranged touch AC as base, or is the theory totally defunct somehow?)
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
|
How many FREE ACTION touch attacks can one take in the round that one casts this spell. The indication is 1/level (per spell description). Does that really mean a mage can make 20 attacks per turn at level 20?
The reason I ask isn't because of mages per se (rogue w/ surprise round casts this and mades 20 sneak attacks, plus crippling strike = -40 str no save?...)
I also realize that the description of free action says a gm can limit them. But am wondering because of the spell's 1/level and instantanious duration - doesn't that mean they all have to be taken in the same round?
You only get one free action touch with the spell. The other touches are held for subsequent rounds, in which you need to make a standard action touch attack (or, based on the rule that "anytime you touch anyone, the spell is dicharged", any number of natural attacks or unarmed strikes that you usually can make) to deliver each one.
If you're a magus, you can cast chill touch, then apply it to every attack with your weapon, using spellstrike, until you've exhausted the spell.
That's my interpretation, and is backed by many others. However, that's not the ONLY interpretation that is out there, and there are entire threads dedicated to just that question.
As cartmanbeck said, there are many different interpretations, but the one he supplied is backed one.
There is a thread on this that has been FAQ'ed and marked by staff as "Answered in the Errata" but I think we're still waiting on it to show up.
See thread here.
We really should find a Chill Touch thread to FAQ again so we can hopefully get an official answer and not have to rehash this question every 9 months.
|
|
p 185:
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 def lection bonus (if
any) all apply normally.
-RAW doesn't state "one" touch attack. The spell's duration of "instantaneous" indicates it doesn't "last until used" ; though I see how that might be argued -
p216
Instantaneous: The spell energy comes and goes the
instant the spell is cast, though the consequences might
be long-lasting.
added - p243, anti-magic field;
"The effects of instantaneous conjurations are not affected by an antimagic field because the conjuration itself is no longer in effect, only its result"
Which means for it to be a "last until used", the Chill Touch has to be a RESULT. The description clearly states you are channelling something, actively... not "effected". hmmm.
-RAW doesn't state "one" touch attack. The spell's duration of "instantaneous" indicates it doesn't "last until used" ; though I see how that might be argued -
Also in that chapter, see the Actions In Combat table and that it has touching 6 FRIENDS with a touch spell as a full round action (which would provoke attacks of opportunities from nearby enemies). Do you HONESTLY think that touching an enemy in the heat of combat 20 times would take less time, be safer, and be easier than touching 6 allies?
p216
Instantaneous: The spell energy comes and goes the
instant the spell is cast, though the consequences might
be long-lasting.added - p243, anti-magic field;
"The effects of instantaneous conjurations are not affected by an antimagic field because the conjuration itself is no longer in effect, only its result"Which means for it to be a "last until used", the Chill Touch has to be a RESULT. The description clearly states you are channelling something, actively... not "effected". hmmm.
As a held touch spell, it either lasts until used or it's duration expires. As an instantaneous spell, it will not expire by time duration. Thus meaning that it lasts until used. Even if the person holding it walks into an anti-magic field, as you've pointed out.
|
|
I can live with the whole charged attack "limitation". Obviously RAI doesn't make sense that one could make 20 attacks in 1 round. Much less is there any way to calculate what the modifiers on the additional attacks would be (+ to hit on multiple attacks typically decrease by 5 per attack).
So holding the charge, and discharging on subsequent touch attacks makes perfect sense, though the spell description is hinky. I am not really happy with the whole "lasts forever" portion of charged spells, but hey, we can't have it all (say someone else casts this spell on a person, and the person dies, do his hands glow for all eternity? Or as long as that casting mage lives? Or what?)
I think I am satisfied with the general idea, though, as I said, I can picture a Benny Hill style attack also. Even against an unwilling target (pat them real fast on the shoulder, head, arm, etc... ). As such it would be per a regular touch attack (at base BAB) per pat. So you'd be rolling 20 d 20, one crit, one miss... and delivering 20 fort saves... yeh, it would be a lot of rolling.
On the plus side RAI terms means that with this spell a Rogue with Major Magic could do 3 attacks which would do fort save 3 str +6 no save str damage in a single full action attack round. +3d6 cold, +30d6 sneak attack... all at touch AC (versus flat footed).
So the only questions left are: GLOWING BLUE - can a rogue with stealth hide with this effect on? And does it disappear if they go invisible? Can a rogue still touch themselves and not be effected (could you commit Benny Hill Slap Suicide?)? The spell description says "hand" not "hands", can I pick which one so that I can keep the glow forever by learning to simply use one hand and never touch anything with the other? Can I sneak attack inanimate objects with this spell allowing a 11d6 attack against them (like sundering or breaking things) if I am a lvl 19+ rogue without risking hurting myself?
The chill touch question has come up before.
The generally accepted answer is what Quinn X posted for you.
Chill touch has one touch in spell combate and then you use up charges with your other attacks or standard actions in subsequent rounds.
That is (lvl8 magus with bab 6/1) round one; spell combate and spellstrike, cast chill touch (8charges) (spellstrike)-2 to attack roll, then for your next two attacks granted by bab at -2. You use spellstrike again and use up two more charges (if both hit). Round 2 FRA no spell combat, use your BAB (spellstrike)with no negative and use up two more charges of chill touch (if they bot hit). Third round repeats 2nd leaving one charge for round 4. You may then for round 5 use spell combate again but put your -2 BAB attacks first and use up the final charge then recast chill touch using only the frist charge and having 7 charges left to use in subsequent rounds.
It's one touch per round (standard action) regularly. 6 willing friendly targets regularly (full round action).