Fun Finds v7.0 - Now with +15% more reposts!

[nijineko]

Rules Compendium p134 on area effects of spells; the wording seems to retroactively include as an "area effect spell" any spell that has an area in any part of the targeting or effect, regardless of whether it has the "area: x" entry or not.

This allows Arcane Archers in particular a much wider array of spells than was previously commonly defined. Lines, spreads, bursts, emanations, even the haste spell.

probably previously posted and/or known, but I just noticed this for the first time today. I'm slow like that.

googles,  BG 0 , MMX 1 but different topic , giantitp 3 but different topics

Might be completely new ... 

It even counts spells that target multiple creatures and/or objects as an area effect spell.

[SorO_Lost]

It even counts spells that target multiple creatures and/or objects as an area effect spell.

Form how it's worded it seems like Chain Lightning would count (but not haste).

It just makes you want to roll up a Mystic Ranger / Arcane Archer doesn't it?
No?
Let me help with that then.

Hunter's Mercy (Spell Compendium, p. 117)
Transmutation
Level: Ranger 1,
Components: S,
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
Your eyes glow red, but you see the world as normal except when you look at your target. A small glowing dot reveals the creature's weakest point.
This transmutation makes a bow strike true. Your first hit with a bow (not including crossbows) in the next round is automatically a critical hit. If you don't hit in the round following the casting of this spell, the effect is wasted.

It's pretty much always beneficial.
Level 1~5: lose one attack to effectively deal three putting your net gain to +1 over two rounds.
Level 6~10: upgrade to Karoti Resin, -2/+3, net gain of +1 over two rounds.
Level 11~15: -3/+3, no real net change over two rounds but you're guaranteed to trigger in burst-like WSAs.
Level 16+: just use Quicken Spell, as a Mystic Ranger you've had 5th level Slots for six levels now.

[nijineko]

no, haste should be allowed because it affects multiple creatures who can be no more than x distance apart from each other, which under the 'creatures' entry in the RC seems allowed. unless i'm missing something? (always a possibility)

[SorO_Lost]

Unusual Areas
A few unusual area spells have special rules for how the area works
Creatures: A spell with this kind of area affects creatures directly (like a targeted spell), but it affects all creatures in an area of some kind rather than individual creatures you select. The area might be a spherical burst, a cone-shaped burst, or some other shape.

The first chosen target of haste sets the 30ft limit for all other targets which seems like an area (I'd call it more of a range limit through), but more importantly is you can pick and choose which people you play tag with.

Which in hindsight, Chain Lightning is a bad example. You can pick your targets with that one too.

[linklord231]

Spells target "enemies within 60 feet" should be ok.

[SorO_Lost]

Spells target "enemies within 60 feet" should be ok.

Yeah that should work just fine since "some kind" is included. But Chain Lightning uses primary/secondary targets and "You choose secondary targets as you like" so the Spell's rules exclude it even if you verbally announce your intended to target all possible enemies you can so it was a bad example on my end.

[nijineko]

Ah, gotcha.

Thank you - my memory obviously wasn't paying close attention.

Even with those accurate clarifications, that's still pretty useful.

[phaedrusxy]

PSA: Recently I learned something... if you're going to cast Black Tentacles AND Web on a group of baddies... make sure you cast the Web first.

Also... Web is one of the best BFC spells in the game, of any level.

That is all. 

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Archivist and Erudite wanna take a closer look at the Apprentice Spellcaster feat.

It has this unbelievable line :  " ... wizards can copy from their mentor's spellbook at no charge ... "

Obviously a wizard likes this too, but this is MAJOR for Archivist, and an even bigger boon for Erudite.

[nijineko]

Archivist and Erudite wanna take a closer look at the Apprentice Spellcaster feat.

It has this unbelievable line :  " ... wizards can copy from their mentor's spellbook at no charge ... "

Obviously a wizard likes this too, but this is MAJOR for Archivist, and an even bigger boon for Erudite.

Now we just need a mentor-of-the-month....

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Heh, right.

Wizards don't really need this, because they have (I haven't read this in a long time) Taltamir's Safe spell trading protocol .

Archivist could use a Druid Mentor and the basic DMG Demographics determining who's (what's) available.

Erudite needs another NPC to have a cohort, and the cohort is the Mentor and preferably an Erudite too.  So we're talking about an extra flaming hoop to jump through , xOR lenient DM , xOR Sigil.  Archivist can also go this route.

[SorO_Lost]

Call Weaponry(blaster rifle).

Bonus points, there is an Antimatter Launcher (8d12 damage, 5d12 splash) in FutureTech too.

[vaz]

It's like you've been reading my builds, Sam... (the one's I haven't made public)

@vaz, ardent isn't necessary for that. Learning any power via chirurgery you want is in the SRD. This is why DMs ban StP

A bit late to the party here in replying sorry, but the Ardent is the only one able to do it innately. Psychic.Chirurgery requires someone else to be there and to willingly give it to you, whereas an Ardent can just have it on hid mantle without use of Chirugery. It simoly requires that such a spell has been made into a power at some point in history/whenever in the timeline, which for 9th level powers requires Epic StP Erudites at some point in time, rather than wishing for a scroll of Teleport Through Time and having to divine that knowledge of their location and then hope they give it to you.

[SorO_Lost]

Psychic Chirurgery requires someone else to be there and to willingly give it to you,

Actually like all StP Erudite things, it's all about who you can capture. For example, Third Eye(power thieve) lets an Erudite directly steal Psychic Chirurgery from a Telepath using a DC 16 Will Save, he can then Manifest Fission and use the burrowed Psychic Chirurgery to permanently learn it.

We can agree that the XP costs are large, questing for "all the powers" would be tedious, even so far as saying that yeah it requires a world where the StP Erudite cannot be super special snowflake uber-unique God and therefor other 17th level casters exist and things could be taxing. But theoretically, everyone can bleed into other lists easy enough. The StP Erudite just has a natural edge in doing it.

[nijineko]

Call Weaponry(blaster rifle).

Bonus points, there is an Antimatter Launcher (8d12 damage, 5d12 splash) in FutureTech too.

Does the power armor count as a weapon too?

I suppose the call armor power could work otherwise....

[SorO_Lost]

Does the power armor count as a weapon too?

Probably not since it's armor and it's integrated "weapon" is specifically just a laser pistol. It's probably the same case with mechs too, but maybe mech weapons would work? The V-14 Antimatter Cannon deals 10d12 per shot (and splashes for 6d12) and any mech can equip it as a two-handed weapon so we know a Large-Sized creature can operate it.

A first level Savage Progression Duergar Monk approaches a burger food-truck and says "make me one with everything." The Monk pays with a $20 bill, which the vendor takes, puts in his cash box, and closes the lid. "Where’s my change?" the Monk asks. The vendor replies, "change comes from within." So the Monk uses his hidden talents to pull out a gun and points it at the vendor. The vendor says, "Hey calm down. Here is your change. Man, I thought you guys were all about that inner peace." To which the monk replies, "This is my inner piece."

[nijineko]

Does the power armor count as a weapon too?

Probably not since it's armor and it's integrated "weapon" is specifically just a laser pistol. It's probably the same case with mechs too, but maybe mech weapons would work? The V-14 Antimatter Cannon deals 10d12 per shot (and splashes for 6d12) and any mech can equip it as a two-handed weapon so we know a Large-Sized creature can operate it.

A first level Savage Progression Duergar Monk approaches a burger food-truck and says "make me one with everything." The Monk pays with a $20 bill, which the vendor takes, puts in his cash box, and closes the lid. "Where’s my change?" the Monk asks. The vendor replies, "change comes from within." So the Monk uses his hidden talents to pull out a gun and points it at the vendor. The vendor says, "Hey calm down. Here is your change. Man, I thought you guys were all about that inner peace." To which the monk replies, "This is my inner piece."

^^ amusing anecdote, and nicely adapted.

[phaedrusxy]

It is funny... but why a savage progression duergar? What am I missing there?

[SorO_Lost]

It is funny... but why a savage progression duergar? What am I missing there?

At the moment it was (and still is) the only way I could think of for a 1st level creature to wield a Two-Handed Large-Sized weapon. Monkey Grip applies to Melee only, all Powerful Build Races have +1 LA, Large Creatures have RHD, etc.

SP Duergar is specifically +0 LA and gets 1/day Enlarge Person.
Edit: And before you ask why specifically 1st level? To plug additional information into the post. You have a trick, something building off the trick, a way to do it on a none-Psywarrior, and even how to pull it off at the 1st level. Plus you got a cool story, it's post optimization. 

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Planar Familiar feat http://www.realmshelps.net/charbuild/feat/Planar_Familiar

... can get a Mirror Mephit at level 7.