Using Node of Blasting Offensively

[vonFiedler]

Node of Blasting is a spell that causes one touched object to, when touching a creature with a mind, deal 6d6 damage and stagger for 1 minute.

RAI this reads strictly like a trap spell. You put it on something unattended and later on some goof walks over and tries to pick it up.

But RAW, unlike most traps, I see no reason why I can't use this on an enemy's equipment in combat. It says nothing about the object being unattended, which is a common restriction for these purposes. It doesn't even have a long casting time. It's a standard action.

Now I think I've seen a dozen different ways people say it could or should work in home games, but I'm interested in using this in PFS, so I'd like to be sure I can get away with it.

I've heard "you can't just touch someone's attended items". I'd love to know if and where this is officially stated. It makes common sense that you'd have to contest this somehow, which isn't built into Node of Blasting, but not having the mechanics for this doesn't mean you CAN'T do it when the spell says Touch on Object with no restrictions.

Even if I was right, I would think this exploit would have been FAQed out of the game. But strictly speaking, I don't think I'm wrong. Any insights?

[Saethori]

One part is true: You can't "just touch" someone's attended items. Since they are trying not to be hit by you, their equipment, too, would be similarly evasive. You will need to make a touch attack against them.

But, yes, you can definitely use Node of Blasting on carried equipment. I would let the victim drop a carried item in response if they knew you just put a trap on it (by making a successful Spellcraft check) but otherwise it would detonate on them more-or-less immediately.

[Zwordsman]

I've used it with Mage hand, and Telekinesis with it before.

[ShieldLawrence]

Telekinesis, Telekinetic Projectile, weapons held by undead minions, lots of options for offensive uses.

[Lost In Limbo]

1. Lay arrow or other projectile on a piece of cloth.

2. Cast node of blasting on the head of the projectile.

3. Wrap head of projectile with said cloth, bring very careful not to let the metal touch your skin.

4. Store projectile carefully, until ready for use.

5. Immediately before firing projectile tear away cloth.

6. Profit.

[ShieldLawrence]

Lost In Limbo wrote:

1. Lay arrow or other projectile on a piece of cloth.

2. Cast node of blasting on the head of the projectile.

3. Wrap head of projectile with said cloth, bring very careful not to let the metal touch your skin.

4. Store projectile carefully, until ready for use.

5. Immediately before firing projectile tear away cloth.

6. Profit.

I'm not sure an arrowhead constitutes an object in of itself. Using arrows isn't very effective unless you're mindless.