SFS 4-11: A World's Ambition

[Mr. Bonkers]

As I was rereading the scenario before I run it in a couple of days, a couple of questions popped up:

1). Is there any way in SFS to recover from a Disintegrate effect? Because I can see it happen in this scenario.

If the answer is no, should I just avoid using the infest ability? Because an irreversible death at this high a level is just a slap in the face, especially since it can happen so early in the scenario.

2). Bitic and his helper are mentioned to have modified ranged laser weaponry that deals various damage types. I cannot find the weapon in the stat blocks, however. Can I just assume it deals the same damage as their ranged options presented in the stat blocks? Because I think I'll describe it as some sort of nanite cover around their weapon, that ceases it's cohesion on the weapons when the enemy is defeated (allowing them to have the laser weaponry mentioned, without doing something strange to the party's loot).

3). More of a general question: can one cast spells that target through the see-through wall? I mean things like Slow, Mind Thrust, Hold Person, Slice Reality, Summon Monster, etc. I actually think not, but I cannot find the rules around it. I know Laser Weapons can go through (non-magical) see-through barriers, but I do not know about such spells.

[Quentin Coldwater]

1) I don't know, but as for the second question: Normally, I'd advise against using such abilities, but it's such a key part of this creature. Otherwise, it does its other nasty attack, which has Dismantle. The DC of that is only 17, but both abilities are super awful (but also really cool to see in action, to be honest). I'd lean towards yes, simply because otherwise there's no real tension in this fight.

3) Starfinder's Line of Effect rules state (emphasis mine):

Quote:

If a weapon, spell, ability, or item requires an attack roll and has a range measured in feet, it normally requires that you (or whoever or whatever is using the ability) have a line of effect to the target to be effective (subject to GM discretion). A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what an attack or ability can affect. A line of effect is blocked by a solid barrier that can stop the effect in question (such as a wall, for most effects), but it is not blocked by purely visual restrictions (such as smoke or darkness). You cannot have line of effect that exceeds planetary range, unless otherwise indicated.

You must have a clear line of effect to any creature or object you wish to target or to any space in which you wish to create an effect without an area. For effects with an area, you must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of the effect. An effect that is a burst, cone, cylinder, or emanation affects only an area, creature, or object within line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst’s center point, a cone-shaped burst’s starting point, the center point of a cylinder’s circle, or an emanation’s point of origin). For definitions of these specific terms, see Area on page 268.

If you have a line of effect to some of a target’s space but not all of it, the target has cover (see pages 253–254 for more information about cover). Additionally, an otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it may grant cover rather than total cover against an effect, at the GM’s discretion.

So, sounds like magic still needs to "travel" from Point A to Point B in a straight line. Despite being magic, it doesn't manifest out of nothing, it still emits from the caster. While I'd personally disagree with that, those are the rules as I interpret them.

[BigNorseWolf]

3) No. I assumed he would be back there buffing while the party deals with his mooks but he doesn't seem to have a lot of buffs

[Matt Duval]

1) I think generally since the overall goal of the antagonist involves taking the PCs alive, or at least revivable, the initial encounter is more directed toward damaging their equipment and learning their strengths and weaknesses, rather than annihilating them. So I'd lean in that direction but I wouldn't pull my punches. Only really need 1.

2) Yea, that's right. It's a modification to their equipped laser weapons that lets them have the damage type be whatever the earlier encounter determined would be the most effective against the PCs.

[Mr. Bonkers]

Thank you all for your insights and answers. Also thanks you Matt, didn't expect the writer to chime in. After running the scenario the questions weren't that important anymore (no one got disintegrated and the see through wall got removed pretty quickly).

The main reason I brought up the laser weapons was because both enemies do not have laser weapons; Bitic has a Plasma Pistol, and his assistant a semi-auto pistol. So there was some confusion from me. But I ran it as Bitic having a laser weapon (only one shot before the PC's decided to deal with him quick).

Overall it was a very enjoyable scenario, and the players had a lot of fun with the entire cult feel (and their "no sense motive luck" they leaned into).

[Matt Duval]

I had the same experience running with the enemies not having the life expectancy for it to matter XD

So happy to hear it was fun!

[Styrofoam]

Line of Effect wrote:

If a weapon, spell, ability, or item requires an attack roll and has a range measured in feet, it normally requires that you (or whoever or whatever is using the ability) have a line of effect to the target to be effective

There are plenty of spells that don't require an attack roll or have something in their description that would require line of effect. In fact where the spell descriptions are discussed in the CRB, it states:

CRB pg 332 wrote:

Some spells have one or more targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined in the spell’s description. You must be able to see or touch the target (unless the spell has an attack roll; see Spells with Attack Rolls below), and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you have finished casting the spell.

and

Quote:

Some spells create or summon things rather than affecting things that are already present. You must designate the location where these things are to appear, either by seeing it or defining it.

So I think the spells listed in question 3 of the OP can all be cast through a see-through barrier.

[BigNorseWolf]

You still need line of effect to the space you're going to throw the spell.

If you need a bananna to make a bananna split, and you need ice cream to make a bannana split, the two statements are not contradictory: you need both.

[Styrofoam]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

You still need line of effect to the space you're going to throw the spell.

If you need a bananna to make a bananna split, and you need ice cream to make a bannana split, the two statements are not contradictory: you need both.

I cited rules and you are talking about bananas.

The rules don't indicate ANYWHERE that you need line-of-effect for spells that don't have an attack roll, nor do they indicate anywhere that bananas are required.

Also: https://www.yummly.com/recipes/banana-split-without-ice-cream LOL

BTW, one of the times I ran 4-11, the technomancer had spell shot and he used a laser to drop explosive blast on the other side of the barrier, lol.

[Gary Bush]

To those who have ran, I note that the planet is x2 gravity. To me, this makes the planet heavy gravity. But there is nothing in the adventure about that.

Do I run with the heavy gravity or Not?

[BigNorseWolf]

Styrofoam wrote:

I cited rules and you are talking about bananas.

Citing the rules won't help you if you don't understand HOW to read them. Hence the analogy to help you get the idea. One of the biggest mistakes someone can make is looking for a rule at the wrong level of specificity. Charm person doesn't specify it requires LOE, because those rules are general for all spells. Charm monster doesn't say it won't work on robots but the rules in the robot and "mind-affecting" entries do.

Quote:

The rules don't indicate ANYWHERE that you need line-of-effect for spells that don't have an attack roll, nor do they indicate anywhere that bananas are required.

You must have a clear line of effect to any creature or object you wish to target or to any space in which you wish to create an effect without an area. For effects with an area, you must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of the effect. An effect that is a burst, cone, cylinder, or emanation affects only an area, creature, or object within line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst’s center point, a cone-shaped burst’s starting point, the center point of a cylinder’s circle, or an emanation’s point of origin). For definitions of these specific terms, see Area on page 268.

The previous paragraph was referencing things with attack rolls, this one was not and those specific terms don't usually require them.

[BigNorseWolf]

Gary Bush wrote:

To those who have ran, I note that the planet is x2 gravity. To me, this makes the planet heavy gravity. But there is nothing in the adventure about that.

Do I run with the heavy gravity or Not?

I figured that if it was, the tour around town would give people time to adjust.

[Gary Bush]

Hmm are there rules for becoming accustomed to the gravity? A few hours seems really short.

[John Mangrum]

I believe that thick and thin atmospheres are the only environmental conditions characters can "adjust" to in Starfinder.

[Matt Duval]

My understanding was x2 gravity meant heavy gravity and it took months to acclimate to. That's how I ran it anyway

[Gary Bush]

Matt Duval wrote:

My understanding was x2 gravity meant heavy gravity and it took months to acclimate to. That's how I ran it anyway

Thanks how I remember you running it! Fun adventure!