RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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The warpriest can use his fervor ability to cast as a swift action, but "the spell can target only the warpriest, even if it could normally affect other or multiple targets."
So if I swift-cast Magic Circle vs Evil or Archon's Aura and target just myself, do I still get the spell's aura that affects other creatures?
If I swift-cast Contagious Zeal targeting myself, can I still (as the spell says) pick one ally per round to share its effect with?
I get the impression that this technically works (the rule says I can only target myself with the spell, and I am doing that) but it's not the intent of the rule (because the spell could "normally affect other" creatures), so I'm curious if there's official word or FAQ on this, or how people would rule this. Thanks!
I would say that the Magic Circle and the Archon’s Aura would work. They only affect a single target, but that effect radiates out from you.
The magic is still only targeting a single creature even if the benefits affect others.
The wording on the Magic Circle is that anyone in the area gains the effects of a protection from evil, not everyone in the area gains protection from evil. You are applying an effect to an area and anyone in the area is getting the benefit. It is the same thing for the Archon’s Aura.
Contagious Zeal on the other hand is affecting two creatures. If you are choosing a target that is affecting more than one target.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Contagious Zeal on the other hand is affecting two creatures. If you are choosing a target that is affecting more than one target.
CZ targets a single creature when you cast it, but later than the time of casting, "once per round, the target can select one other creature to gain this bonus as well."
Contagious Zeal is still targeting more than just the caster. The fact it happens latter does not matter.
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Interesting question...
The confusion is arising because the fervor ability says "this spell can only target the warpriest" but doesn't actually say it has to be a targeted spell. Then it goes on to say "even if it could normally affect other or multiple targets" implying that no other targets can be subject to the spell's effects.
So I'd say that any spell that creates a radius or area effect only affects the warpriest. Bless would only bless the warpriest. Magic circle against evil would give benefits to the warpriest, but couldn't affect others in the area. Archon's aura wouldn't have give any benefits. Contagious zeal couldn't affect any other creatures.
That's not a perfect answer, I know. The ability could be interpreted as the following:
This spell can only target the warpriest, even if it could normally have multiple targets.
In which case magic circle and archon's aura would still work normally. But I believe the word "affect" is in the description deliberately.
I have to disagree with the arguments/interpetations presented so far.
IMO, when fervor says the spell can only target you, it is referring to the target line of a spells description.
So for example:
Bless - Area The caster and all allies within a 50-ft. burst, centered on the caster - however, see my last note below
Haste - Targets one creature/level, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
Any Cure spell - Target creature touched
In these cases, while such spells could normally target one or more creatures that may or may not include the caster, only the warpriest is a valid target in this particular instance. Once the spell casting has been completed, the actual effects of the spell still do what they say they do.
So for example, bless is not an aura, so only the caster gets the bless benefit. Same with prayer, haste, etc.
However, the effects of spells like Magic Circle and Archon's area is to grant the targeted creature an aura that then effects those within that aura appropriately.
Likewise, a spell like Burning Gaze would still work just fine to harm enemies. The target is still you (the caster), while the effects of the spell is to give you the option of doing a burning gaze attack which functions as expected. Contagious Zeal is like burning gaze in this regard. The target at spell casting time is the qualified caster. The benefits of the spell afterword are not a target of the spell in the sense of the spells casting.
Similarly a spell like shock shield would work just fine to damage enemies within the 5' radius burst effect it can provide.
Note, I recognize that some spells I listed above are not on the WP spell list, these are just spells that came to mind that exhibit effects that would not be hindered by the Fervor target self exclusion.
I should further note, that by RAW, bless and prayer would not be valid spells to use with Fervor, as being area spells that don't directly target a creature. But I personally would allow either in my game.