First question, when can I use a Nanite Surge?
That depends entirely on the ability you are spending a Nanite Surge to activate.
For example let’s say on my turn I use my Cloud Array. After my turn, in the middle of another PC/NPC’s turn. Can I then use a Nanite Surge to grant my Cloud Array Concealment? Or does that only work when it’s been created?
"When you form a cloud array, you may use a Nanite Surge to in crease the cloud's density." Second paragraph of the Cloud Array.
Second question, for Spreading Swarm: Do I factor in Weapon Specialization Damage or just the rolled damage?
Minimum weapon damage would indeed include Weapon Specialization damage, if applicable to the weapon used.
Last question, with Swarm Strike:
Ok So I know Swarm Strike:
- Sheath Array Must be formed
- You use a Nanite Surge to gain the special Unarmed strikeMy question is, if I spend a Nanite Surge for Swarm Strike, with the Sheath Array Activated:
- Does it last per attack? If I want to do a full Attack with it, would I have to spend a nanite surge for each attack?
- Or do I spend 1 Nanite Surge per round? So, if I wanted to do a full attack with it, I only had to spend 1 nanite surge?
- Or does it last until the Sheath Array goes away?
First, as with your Cloud Array question, the Nanite Surge gets spent when you form your sheath if you want to use this ability. Didn't spend the surge when formed? Better go re-form it.
Second, it lasts as long as you maintain the Sheath Array, as per the rules for the Sheath Array.I get the impression you did not fully read the rules for these abilities, but rather scanned them quickly. I would recommend going and reading the rules thoroughly before attempting to use them.
First Question. Yes and no. Doesn't help. Some abilities allow you to spend a surge during other peoples turns, some need you to spend the surge as part of the action. Gaining the concealment needs the surge spent when its created, so no spending for it later without reforming the cloud. where as Defensive Dispersal is part of a reaction when taking damage, so can be done during an enemies turn.
Second Question. I think (My opinion) its the minimum for the weapon alone, like the example. a 6d8 is 6 damage. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will clarify this one.
Last Question. From how people speak about it, the lack of a duration, I would treat it like the Cloud arrays Concealment, while that Array is active, you can spend the surge to gain the attack while the sheath remains active.
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It had never occurred to me that spreading swarm might apply weapon specialization damage. I don't think it does, but I suppose it's perhaps somewhat ambiguous.
The feat says:
You gain specialization in that weapon type, which means you add your character level to damage with the selected weapon type...
The issue is when you do damage "with" the weapon type. Are you doing the damage "with" the weapon, or with the ability called Spreading Swarm, which just happens to borrow its damage calculation from your weapon dice? I think the latter, but I could see it going the other way.
The same would apply to the Arc critical weapon effect, which provides a separate dice damage from the normal damage. Is the Arc damaging you "with" the weapon, or with the critical effect conceptually separate from the weapon itself?
A very reliable canon of interpreation with Paizo rules is: which of these options sucks relative to the other one? That is almost always the correct answer.
Last question, with Swarm Strike:
Ok So I know Swarm Strike:
- Sheath Array Must be formed
- You use a Nanite Surge to gain the special Unarmed strikeMy question is, if I spend a Nanite Surge for Swarm Strike, with the Sheath Array Activated:
- Does it last per attack? If I want to do a full Attack with it, would I have to spend a nanite surge for each attack?
- Or do I spend 1 Nanite Surge per round? So, if I wanted to do a full attack with it, I only had to spend 1 nanite surge?
- Or does it last until the Sheath Array goes away?
First, as with your Cloud Array question, the Nanite Surge gets spent when you form your sheath if you want to use this ability. Didn't spend the surge when formed? Better go re-form it.
Second, it lasts as long as you maintain the Sheath Array, as per the rules for the Sheath Array.I get the impression you did not fully read the rules for these abilities, but rather scanned them quickly. I would recommend going and reading the rules thoroughly before attempting to use them.
When I say to you "When you get to Rome, go to the Colosseum", I don't mean you should go at the moment you get there. I mean you should go while you're in Rome. I think it's perfectly logical to read the rule fully and read it to say that while the Sheath Array is active you can spend a nanocyte surge to activate the swarm strike. You don't have to spend it at exactly the same moment. Once you've spent the Surge, and so long as the same Sheath Array is active, you can continue to form the Swarm Strike without spending extra Nanocyte Surges. So, yes, I think you could make a full attack with the Swarm Strike, taking the penalty.
Assuming that the "when" in the description of Swarm Strike means "at the same time as" and not "while", I would re-write the Swarm Strike description as follows, to try to more precisely describe it. This isn't meant as a change, just as a description of the current rule:
At the same time as you form your sheath array, you can use a nanite surge to gain Swarm Strike as a special unarmed melee attack. The attack deals lethal damage, lacks the archaic trait, and has an item level equal to your nanocyte level. You can use your Constitution modifier in place of your Strength modifier for attack and damage rolls for this attack. While the Swarm Strike is active, you threaten squares within your reach. Using a Swarm Strike requires you to have at least one hand free (unless you have the Improved Unarmed Strike feat).
For each attack, you can deal bludgeoning damage, piercing damage, slashing damage, or any two of these damage types. At 3rd level, you gain a unique weapon specialization with your swarm strike, adding 1½ × your nanocyte level to its damage rolls (instead of just adding your character level). At 7th level, this unarmed strike gains the thrown (20 feet) special property, and while you have at least two hands free, your weapon specialization damage bonus with this weapon increases to 2 × your level. At 11th level, while you have at least two hands free, your swarm strike gains the reach special property. At 15th level, the range increment of your thrown swarm strike increases to 40 feet, and it increases to 60 feet at 19th level.
You can use this ability only while your sheath array is active. So long as it remains active you do not need to use an additional nanite surge to make each attack.