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1. Can it occupy the same square as an opponent? (I think not).
2. Since it is a force effect, does hit Touch AC or normal AC? (I think normal AC).
3. Does it benefit from spells cast on me prior to its casting? For instance, if I have Divine Favor active does the SW gain +1 attack and +1 damage? (I think yes).
Thanks.
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1. It doesn't occupy a square.
2. Normal AC, but it hits and does full damage to incorporeal creatures.
3. Mostly not - your combat actions don't affect the weapon. It only possibly benefits from effects that increase the damage of your spells. For divine favour, the spell makes an attack, not you, and it doesn't do weapon damage, so neither bonus applies.
3. Mostly not - your combat actions don't affect the weapon. It only possibly benefits from effects that increase the damage of your spells. For divine favour, the spell makes an attack, not you, and it doesn't do weapon damage, so neither bonus applies.
This part is false.
Spiritual weapon benefits from any effect that would increase or modify weapon-like spells. Ie anything that will benefit a ray should also benefit Spiritual Weapon.
See FAQ response;
Ray: Do rays count as weapons for the purpose of spells and effects that affect weapons?
Yes. (See also this FAQ item for a similar question about rays and weapon feats.)
For example, a bard's inspire courage says it affects "weapon damage rolls," which is worded that way so don't try to add the bonus to a spell like fireball. However, rays are treated as weapons, whether they're from spells, a monster ability, a class ability, or some other source, so the inspire courage bonus applies to ray attack rolls and ray damage rolls.
The same rule applies to weapon-like spells such as flame blade, mage's sword, and spiritual weapon--effects that affect weapons work on these spells.
I bolded the part that is of particular interest.
It's because it makes an attack roll, but doesn't count as its own creature (like a summon).
There you are then. It seems a very questionable example of a weapon-like spell, considering the caster doesn't take actions to attack with it, but directs it to attack.
Yes, I agree. I had been doing it wrong for a while too. It isn't intuitively seen as a weapon-like spell since it auto-attacks by itself. But, it still uses some of your stats, after all.
I think the stuff in there about combat actions and feats n whatnot is just to prevent people thinking they can get stuff like Weapon Focus, or perform a trip etc. They only attack, and aren't 'actual' weapons, despite having a form like one.
I have been doing it wrong too, though I will continue doing it wrong..
I have been doing it wrong too, though I will continue doing it wrong..
Why? Not like an extra d8+3 damage a round is exactly scary.
I have been doing it wrong too, though I will continue doing it wrong..Why? Not like an extra d8+3 damage a round is exactly scary.
Scary, not really. but it does make the spell much more effective, in many cases two to three times as much DPR on average. Certainly not insignificant.
More importantly, I just do not feel the spiritual weapon is so much a personal effect that should be affected, it just doesn't feel right.
I have been doing it wrong too, though I will continue doing it wrong..Why? Not like an extra d8+3 damage a round is exactly scary.Scary, not really. but it does make the spell much more effective, in many cases two to three times as much DPR on average. Certainly not insignificant.
More importantly, I just do not feel the spiritual weapon is so much a personal effect that should be affected, it just doesn't feel right.
It has to be directed. The caster is in full control of it.
It also breaks invis, again, implying full control.
It has to be directed. The caster is in full control of it.I have been doing it wrong too, though I will continue doing it wrong..Why? Not like an extra d8+3 damage a round is exactly scary.Scary, not really. but it does make the spell much more effective, in many cases two to three times as much DPR on average. Certainly not insignificant.
More importantly, I just do not feel the spiritual weapon is so much a personal effect that should be affected, it just doesn't feel right.
He has to point it at a target to attack, it doesnt otherwise require his attention. Arguably not very different from a summoned monster.
Though I am inclined to agree on the invisibility part, good point I suppose. hmm... undecided as of yet, I will mull it over for a bit for my home games. :-)
Summoned monsters benefit from things like haste and already have a much higher potential DPR and/or can be summoned multiple st a time. Just throwin' it out there.'
Though I am inclined to agree on the invisibility part, good point I suppose. hmm... undecided as of yet, I will mull it over for a bit for my home games. :-)
The line that convinced me (I had the same opinion as you), was "if you are not directing it, the weapon returns to you and hovers."
another question-if I have blessing of fervor active and I cast Spiritual weapon and I choose extra attack, does it gain an extra attack? if not, what if i have the weapon active and then cast blessing of fervor?
another question-if I have blessing of fervor active and I cast Spiritual weapon and I choose extra attack, does it gain an extra attack? if not, what if i have the weapon active and then cast blessing of fervor?
Blessing of Fervor only applies to creatures. Spiritual Weapon isn't a creature. Spiritual Ally is debatable, but I'll go ahead and say no to that too.
Effects like Inspire Courage, which affect all Damage Rolls in a set radius, would apply to the Spiritual Weapon. Similarly, Greater Magic Weapon could apply to it as well, but that's iffy.