Spellcasting. How does it work?

[Marros Shipsail]

Hello. The moment I discovered Pathfinder, I knew I wanted to play a spellcaster, such as a cleric. I am still a little fuzzy with casting though. I know that ranged touch attacks are automatic hits and you just roll damage, but how would one go about casting a spell like obscuring mist? What do I need to roll for? I've tried reading the rulebook, but I am still unsure. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[WalterGM]

Hey Marros! So first off, these are the Pathfinder Society (or PFS for short) forums--which are for a specific kind of Pathfinder play. You're probably looking for the Pathfinder rules forums.

But since you're new, I'm happy to answer your question :)

So spells are either targeted or not targeted. Target spells are ones that you roll to hit and if you hit they deal damage. Non targeted spells are ones that effect an area equally. They generally have saving throws associated with them. These saving throws typically negate some negative effect from the spell. Some spells are rather innocuous or don't deal damage, and these spells don't have saving throws associated with them. Obscuring Mist is an example of one such spell. When you cast it (a standard action, as most spells are), it just happens in the squares around you. No attack roll is needed.

The magic chapter in the Core Rulebook has some diagrams with how these area spells work, or you can click on the link in this sentence. Here is the specific chart.

Anyway, hope that helps get you pointed in the right direction!

[Efreeti]

Some spells (like obscuring mist) you don't have to roll for. You just select the area you wish to obscure, and voila!
Some others, (like charm person) you don't have to roll for. You choose a target and it rolls a save against your dificulty (10+spell level+WIS mod+other modifiers, if you are a cleric).
Some you do have to roll for. For touch attacks, you roll an attack against their touch armour class (so it's usualy quite easy to hit, but not automatic). Your attack modifier is your BAB (0 at first level for most caster classes)+relevant ability modifier (Strenght for melee, Dexterity for ranged or if you have weapon finesse)+other modifiers.

Hope this is helpful. As further advice, for your first spellcaster, I'd recoment an spontaneous caster (Sorcerer for arcane, Oracle for divine magic) over a prepared one (Wizard or Cleric, respectively). That way, you don't have to worry about how many of each spell you prepare each morning, and you only have to deal with a reduced number of spells, instead of the overwhelming mass that is all spells avaliable to your class.

Best of luck.

[Nefreet]

Greetings, Marros.

Spellcasting can be intricate and confusing. After nearing 21 years of doing RPGs, I still prefer characters that just swing sticks at monsters. I think I went years before making my first spellcaster, or even wanting to, so I understand a bit where you're at.

The Magic Chapter isn't light reading, either. Some spells require you to roll a d20, and some don't. Some require your enemies to roll one. And some require no rolls at all.

Take Fireball, for example. You don't need to roll an attack roll at all (unless you're aiming it through a tiny hole). When you cast it, you pick an intersection on the grid map your figurines are on, and everything within 20ft of that point gets burnt. Unattended objects take damage, and creatures need to make a Reflex save or suffer as well.

But, look at Acid Arrow. It has the same range as Fireball, but it isn't an automatic hit. You actually need to roll an attack. Luckily, it's just against your enemy's Touch AC, so it's usually not as difficult as firing an actual arrow, but it's still not guaranteed.

And still other spells aren't offensive at all. Obscuring Mist just fills an area with fog. You just spend your standard action to cast it, and you're done.

You just have to read the spell's description to figure out what's required. Pathfinder has lots of spells out there. Time will help you master them.

[Zauron13]

While I agree with all that had been said, a few things I'd like to address anyway.

Ranged Touch Attack : these are not auto hits. Basically, you would roll as if you were doing a regular ranged attack (Dex mod, BAB, etc). The only difference is that the target has to use their Touch AC, which means no bonus from that Full plate or chain shirt.

Melee Touch: same as ranged, but use your modifiers for Melee.

Other than that, it really is just best to read through some spells. Feel free to ask for help from other players at the table too!

[Yuri Sarreth]

If you can find a Pathfinder Society game in your area that would be a great way to start learning how it all actually works. They have premade characters that you can just show up at the game and say you would like to try.

I'm sure any player in the group would love to help you out and show you the ropes and this way you get to see the way things actually work right then and there.

Check with the local game store that sells the Pathfinder books, I'll bet they have games or can point you to where you can find them.

[nosig]

"Spellcasting. How does it work? "

It's Magic!

sorry, couldn't help that...

[Marros Shipsail]

Thanks everyone! All of this was very helpful!

[kinevon]

nosig wrote:

"Spellcasting. How does it work? "

It's Magic!

sorry, couldn't help that...

Shouldn't that have been a link?