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The fireworks are a flashing, fiery, momentary burst of glowing, colored aerial lights. This effect causes creatures within 120 feet of the fire source to become blinded for 1d4+1 rounds (Will negates). These creatures must have line of sight to the fire to be affected. Spell resistance can prevent blindness.
At the FLGS we have a group of players who likes to use Pyrotechnics in combat. Pregame, they inform the GM that they have a codeword the caster says to cue the other characters to close their eyes when he casts the spell so the PCs are not affected.
While it is a commendable use of teamwork, as it is PFS, I need to keep it within the boundaries of RAW.
Currently, they assume they can--or have been allowed to--close their eyes on someone else's turn to avoid the effect. Should I GM them, I just want to make sure I'm giving them a fair shake for their options:
To avoid the blinding affect of the spell, a player would need to:
1) Close their eyes at the end of their turn (incurring the blind condition) to avoid the fireworks effect.
-or-
2) Ready an action to close their eyes when they hear the codeword.
Also, if the caster is within the 120' radius fireworks, he would have to make a save as well (if he dropped a stinking cloud or fireball on himself, he would also be subject to its effects).
Again, it's PFS so I'm hewing to RAW. Thoughts?
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It's pretty dicey for the caster, I imagine. He has to see the fire to cast the spell on it. Other people... since it's a visual effect, closing your eyes makes sense, but how does that work with the timing? I too would like a good rules explanation for this, rather than relying on fiat all the time.
Sounds like Bluff to send a secret message to me (can you believe we once had a whole skill for this?). That's a pretty cut and dry usage of a skill mechanic... plus it lets wise NPCs have a chance to avert their eyes when the enemy casty says a word and suddenly all his allies cover up.
Speaking of averting their eyes, I think the gaze monster rules might also be of interest to you in adjudicating this case.
I don't know of anything more specific in the RAW than that, but I hope this is helpful.
I'd say it works: reward pre-planning and cooperation and good tactics. PCs can close their eyes when the wizard says "Shazam!" Closing your eyes is a free action.
But they don't get a totally free ride. If their eyes are closed for a couple seconds to avoid being dazzled, they also are closed long enough for a monster to maybe blindside them. So they count as blind till the start of their turn. You don't get to close and open your eyes.
If they want to lose their eyes just long enough at exactly the right moment -- well,that's what the saving throw is for. You pays your money and you takes your chances.
Sounds like they're doing it backwards. Wizard should be saying the code word as a free action first, then delaying until all his allies have closed their eyes. Then the fireworks start.
I don't think they should be able to close their eyes out of turn in reaction to that. If they closed them on their own turn and kept them shut or readied an action to close them (or close them + do something else), fine.
In any case, strictly speaking by RAW, I don't think having your eyes closed actually makes a difference. They shut their eyes, but still have line of sight to the burst.
I would probably give a +4 save bonus for having a better clue when the burst is happening, but not outright protection. That's a houserule, though, and this is for PFS.
I don't think they should be able to close their eyes out of turn in reaction to that. If they closed them on their own turn and kept them shut or readied an action to close them (or close them + do something else), fine.
In any case, strictly speaking by RAW, I don't think having your eyes closed actually makes a difference. They shut their eyes, but still have line of sight to the burst.
I would probably give a +4 save bonus for having a better clue when the burst is happening, but not outright protection. That's a houserule, though, and this is for PFS.
You need to have line of sight to the effect, being (voluntary) blinded can obstruct your line of sight. Though it's use seems iffy, I guess it should be ok if they keep their eyes shut till their initiative comes up.