Mechanically, it seems like the only thing this would do is temporarily provide a +2 to the scarf wielder's AC? (And affect the hardness of the scarf.)
I mean, for a second level spell, that's fine. It's sort of weak, actually. The shield spell provides double the benefit and it's a lower level spell. And if you choose to use the AC bonus for a particular round, you can't attack with the scarf.
I think the only finnicky thing a GM could rule on this is that if you use silk to steel, the bladed scarf gains stats as a whip to attack, which I think would be a weird ruling. But I could see it.
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Mechanically, it seems like the only thing this would do is temporarily provide a +2 to the scarf wielder's AC? (And affect the hardness of the scarf.)
I mean, for a second level spell, that's fine. It's sort of weak, actually. The shield spell provides double the benefit and it's a lower level spell. And if you choose to use the AC bonus for a particular round, you can't attack with the scarf.
I think the only finnicky thing a GM could rule on this is that if you use silk to steel, the bladed scarf gains stats as a whip to attack, which I think would be a weird ruling. But I could see it.
Thats basically the idea, giving a bladed scarf extra utility by turning it into a whip for a little bit.
What would being able to be used as a whip really give you? Bladed scarf already has the disarm and trip features. About the only thing you would gain would be the ability to do non-lethal damage but would also be doing less damage. Silk to Steel does not alter the size of the object so you would not gain reach.
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What would being able to be used as a whip really give you? Bladed scarf already has the disarm and trip features. About the only thing you would gain would be the ability to do non-lethal damage but would also be doing less damage. Silk to Steel does not alter the size of the object so you would not gain reach.
wait it doesn't?!
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What would being able to be used as a whip really give you? Bladed scarf already has the disarm and trip features. About the only thing you would gain would be the ability to do non-lethal damage but would also be doing less damage. Silk to Steel does not alter the size of the object so you would not gain reach.wait it doesn't?!
The spell says it can attack like a whip. Period. Full stop. It does not say "attack like a whip, but with only the reach the original scarf would have,"
Why would you be able to attack something 15 feet away with a piece of cloth that is probably only a foot or two in length? The spell specifies it does not alter its weight. Adding 10+ feet in length to a piece of cloth, is going to alter the weight.
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Because a whip has 15' reach. And it attacks as a whip with no stated exceptions. If you'd like to houserule a reach limit it is logical.
Why would you be able to attack something 15 feet away with a piece of cloth that is probably only a foot or two in length? The spell specifies it does not alter its weight. Adding 10+ feet in length to a piece of cloth, is going to alter the weight.
I'm by no means trying to give you a RAW answer, but your argument right now is that the transmuted scarf doesn't gain the reach of a whip because the spell in question includes language describing a positive: that the item that can now be used as a whip does not gain the weight and lack of flexibility that would preclude it from being a whip.
Not all whips have reach. There are at least two whips that do not list the reach property.
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Three that I can think of, but they're not the default whip--that is, the actual weapon named "whip."
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Not all whips have reach. There are at least two whips that do not list the reach property.
And? Do you think we should use a monowire or scorpion whip stats for this? Why do you even bring up this point?
Though it also occurs to me that an object with the weight of a simple silk scarf can't possibly do the same damage as a full weight whip, so really the damage inflicted by this "whip except where it isn't" needs to be reduced.
Far be it from me to assume that I can stop people from yelling at each other over this, but...
Yes, there is a RAW interpretation of this, and also there is at least one reasonable way a GM can interpret this that isn't RAW. It's up to the GM at the table. We'll never get a hard and fast ruling on this very specific niche case.
RAW matters, but we can never assume that the rules have been written with every conceivable scenario in mind. That's one of the reasons the GM has latitude to make decisions that don't always align with the rules.
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Far be it from me to assume that I can stop people from yelling at each other over this, but...
Yes, there is a RAW interpretation of this, and also there is at least one reasonable way a GM can interpret this that isn't RAW. It's up to the GM at the table. We'll never get a hard and fast ruling on this very specific niche case.
RAW matters, but we can never assume that the rules have been written with every conceivable scenario in mind. That's one of the reasons the GM has latitude to make decisions that don't always align with the rules.
Yes, 100% yes.
Buuut, those interpretations should not be stated as facts, unless the speaker is the GM of the table we are playing at.
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Silk To Steel
Source Ultimate Magic pg. 238
School transmutation; Level arcanist 2, bard 2, occultist 2, redmantisassassin 2, skald 2, sorcerer 2, witch 2, wizard 2
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Effect
Range touch
Target one scarf
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
Description
You imbue an ordinary scarf (or similar piece of clothing) with the strength of steel without altering its weight or flexibility. Each round on your turn, you can decide to use the scarf to defend yourself (gaining a +2 shield bonus to your Armor Class) or to attack as if the scarf were a whip.
As written, it doesn't gain reach, as the size of the scarf doesn't change.
But it wouldn't do the same damage as a whip too, as it lacks the weight and the ability for the tip to reach supersonic speed.Generally, even if the description is badly written, we should assume that a spell of ability does what it says it does.
So my best advice is to thereat the scarf as a with, with all the stats of a whip when used as such.
On the other hand, it will inherit nothing from it being a bladed scarf.
This game being the imperfect product of imperfect human beings, there will be times when strict readings of the text result in imperfect, unintended, and undesired interpretations.
With that in mind, and with respect, no one's best advice should result in a 2nd level spell that essentially:
1. Grants you half the benefit of the Shield spell for 1 round/level instead of 1/minute per level, OR
2. Gain an improvised weapon that does not grant the spellcaster reach, likely does not actually inflict damage, but does incur a -4 penalty to attack on top of any non-proficiency penalty.
No, Silk to Steel is not a perfectly written spell. The intended reading, however, does produce a spell that while not great for that level is nonetheless perfectly reasonable. Treating it as if it's not transmuting a scarf into a whip, on the other hand, makes it a terrible spell.
Well said.
The way I would handle the reach is if the item the spell is cast on is long enough to have reach it gets reach. A bladed scarf already can already be used as a weapon and does not have reach. Other than reach and the fact it deals real damage instead of non-lethal damage bladed scarf already has all the features of a whip. A bladed scarf actually does more damage than a whip and can damage any target. Casting this on a bladed scarf is a waste even if it gave reach.
So, if you cast it on a scarf like Dr. Who (Tom Baker) wore it would get reach. If you cast it on something shorter it would not. Other GM's may handle it differently.
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I think it's also worth mentioning that Long Arm lasts 1/minute per level, while the instantaneous Bladed Lash gives you a +10 bonus to your combat maneuver roll.
So again, "you get an improvised weapon (that probably does no damage) with no reach for 1 round/level" doesn't add up.