Earth Elemental Wizard - Acid Cloud

[Eric Sklavos]

I think this has been touched on before, but I'd like to get a second opinion.

Acid Cloud (Su):

As a standard action, you can create a 5-foot-radius cloud of acid vapor within 30 feet that lasts for 1 round. This cloud deals 1d6 points of acid damage + 1 point for every two wizard levels you possess to all creatures in the cloud and sickens them for 1 round. A successful Fortitude save negates the sickened effect and halves the damage. The DC of this save is equal to 10 + 1/2 your wizard level + your Intelligence modifier. Creatures that begin their turn inside the cloud can move out that turn without penalty, but those that enter the cloud are affected. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.

The situation:

Wizard conjures an Acid Cloud on top of 2 enemies. Enemy 1 steps out of the Acid Cloud on its turn. Enemy 2 stays in Acid Cloud on its turn.

When do they take damage?

Thank you.

[Malag]

It's slightly vague, but term "can move out" could be somewhat interpreted that the effect takes place after a single move action is spent, but I would avoid asking yourself that question. It's much simpler to ask yourself "Did the enemy move out this turn immediately or not?".

Adam

[Eric Sklavos]

Malag wrote:

It's slightly vague, but term "can move out" could be somewhat interpreted that the effect takes place after a single move action is spent, but I would avoid asking yourself that question. It's much simpler to ask yourself "Did the enemy move out this turn immediately or not?"

Is there damage dealt right when the cloud goes into effect? Does Enemy 2 take damage a second time?

[Malag]

Eric Sklavos wrote:

Is there damage dealt right when the cloud goes into effect?

I would say no, since it would be contradictory to sentence "Creatures that begin their turn inside the cloud can move out that turn without penalty, but those that enter the cloud are affected".

Eric Sklavos wrote:

Does Enemy 2 take damage a second time?

I would say no. Damage is dealt only once during opponents turn.

[Gauss]

The spell only lasts 1 round, the intent appears to be that a creature will suffer the effects only once.

1) When the spell is cast those in the cloud suffer the effects.
2) When it is your turn if you move into the cloud you suffer the effects.
3) There is no wording stating that you suffer the effects a second time (in the same round) if you STAY in the cloud. So you do not.

Summary: Damage only occurs when it is cast or if you move into the cloud. It does not occur if you stay in the cloud.

[Eric Sklavos]

Gauss wrote:

Summary: Damage only occurs when it is cast or if you move into the cloud. It does not occur if you stay in the cloud.

That makes the most sense to me.

Thank you.