I don't mind players planning tactics, etc.
But equally I don't like it when it interferes with the game play;
"Oh, don't move there - if you move here instead, I'll be able to charge (or Joe will be able to set up a flank, or ...)" every time somebody repositions their character on the battle grid.I've adopted a technique from one of our local GMs; if combat is beginning to bog down then I still allow this sort of tactical discussion, etc., but only between rounds.
I prefer when this sort of thing is handled in-character, but it works just fine. "Try and circle around behind him, and leave me a clear path to that one there."
If it really bugs you, you can even declare a table rule that if you're discussing tactics out of character, you're also discussing them IN character, and anyone who understands your language is overhearing it.
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You need about a square foot for line of effect for a spell, looking through the keyhole doesn't cut it. They're not squashing creativity, nor are they poor dms, they're playing by the rules.
An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell's line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell's line of effect.
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I don't mind players planning tactics, etc.
But equally I don't like it when it interferes with the game play;
"Oh, don't move there - if you move here instead, I'll be able to charge (or Joe will be able to set up a flank, or ...)" every time somebody repositions their character on the battle grid.I've adopted a technique from one of our local GMs; if combat is beginning to bog down then I still allow this sort of tactical discussion, etc., but only between rounds.
I prefer when this sort of thing is handled in-character, but it works just fine. "Try and circle around behind him, and leave me a clear path to that one there."
If it really bugs you, you can even declare a table rule that if you're discussing tactics out of character, you're also discussing them IN character, and anyone who understands your language is overhearing it.
Two or three (or five) seconds don't bug me. It's when you get 20, 30 or more seconds of discussion of just where each character is going to move this round, and what path they are going to take. There isn't enough time to hold this discussion in-character.
The rules are the physics of the world the characters live in. Knowing the AoO odds is no worse than knowing 45 feet is too far to run and still attack 'that round'. It is unfair of a GM to require a lack of that awareness, or to punish that awareness.
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You need about a square foot for line of effect for a spell, looking through the keyhole doesn't cut it. They're not squashing creativity, nor are they poor dms, they're playing by the rules.
I disagree completely. When a barred window suddenly becomed a shuttered window to keep me from castign spells though it, it is a form of cheating.
I disagree completely. When a barred window suddenly becomed a shuttered window to keep me from castign spells though it, it is a form of cheating.You need about a square foot for line of effect for a spell, looking through the keyhole doesn't cut it. They're not squashing creativity, nor are they poor dms, they're playing by the rules.
There is a slight difference between the two (what the rules are and when object suddenly become different objects).
Also the glass is enough to block line of effect.
You can't charm through windows or the like (of course a fireball will likely blow the window out with damage but even then the spell won't move pass the glass before it takes out the glass).
You can still summon to spots on the other side of glass, or telporting to that spot.
Also if you need a foot by foot hole to cast a spell through I will have all my characters carry a lattace to protect them vs your spells if you ever DM for me.
Alright -- I was going to be nice with this but that's done then.
I suggest some time you actually read the magic section. Especially if you think you might want to play a spell caster someday.
Line of EffectA line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is canceled by a solid barrier. It's like line of sight for ranged weapons, except that it's not blocked by fog, darkness, and other factors that limit normal sight.
You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you cast a spell on You must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of any spell you cast.
A burst, cone, cylinder, or emanation spell affects only an area, creature, or object to which it has line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst's center point, a cone-shaped burst's starting point, a cylinder's circle, or an emanation's point of origin).
An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell's line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell's line of effect.
Notice where it says "an otherwise solid barrier"... which isn't lattice (being a non-solid barrier).
But hey it's cool, you spout off and I'll simply quote rules.
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Alright thank you for correcting me. I aprecate that.
Thank you
Although my point still stands. That a DM will change things.
Thursday. The Gm read from the box text windows closed by barred windows. I say I use shift to teleport on the other side of the bars. I am told I do not have line of sight to the other side? I quote I can see through the bars. There are no bars they are shuttered closed.
So I try to ask my questions to bait the DM to admit before I declare my intentions.
My understanding of line of effect were not perfect, but either way. My point is. Some DMs will metagame against the players once they know what they plan.
Ok A lattice with a sheet over it.
Oh yeah, a DM can change things -- full agreement.
And when a DM changes the environment around it is annoying -- full agreement.
A lattice with a sheet of significant size probably would block like of effect and sight -- until it was destroyed by something (I know we both could come up with a thousand ways for that to happen). During the time it's there it would block a medusa's gaze, or a charm spell or anything else coming from that direction for the time being. Stops you in the opposite direction too, but I've see such tricks before.
Common methods include using the shrink item spell on wall portions, and for some really funny times use several shrink items to make a huge body of water to drop wherever you will. Think about how many marbles you can hold -- now imagine them all turning into 40 cubic feet of water each.
It's not... practical, but it can be a lot of fun. Other options are releasing several fires that you shrunk all at the same time too.
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Um, there are two meanings for the term a "barred window". One type is a shuttered window, being held closed by a bar placed into receiving trough, like the way most bathroom stall doors lock. The phrase "shut and bar the windows" means to lock them in such a manner.
A window with metal bars running across it, like in a cell, is also called a "barred window", or "prison window". They are sometimes also fitted with glass panes, sometimes shutters, or sometimes otherwise open.