Author Topic: Burrow speed  (Read 3106 times)

Offline sirpercival

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Burrow speed
« on: May 12, 2012, 01:33:48 PM »
Say you're a normal badass human character that acquires a burrow speed from somewhere or other.  How do the combat rules work for burrowing?  How do you attack people aboveground with a melee and/or ranged weapon?  What kind of senses do you need to do so (since you generally don't have LoE, I think)?  Can you just hang out in dirt without suffocating?
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Offline Kethrian

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Re: Burrow speed
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2012, 04:55:52 PM »
Actually, I'd like to know, too!  A friend's upcoming PC is taking the Mineral Warrior template, so he'll have a burrow speed...
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Offline IGNG

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Re: Burrow speed
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2012, 03:07:25 PM »
Say you're a normal badass human character that acquires a burrow speed from somewhere or other.  How do the combat rules work for burrowing?  How do you attack people aboveground with a melee and/or ranged weapon?

I'm pretty sure you can't with most weapons/ spells.  Spells that can work though walls would probably work but that's about it.  A brilliant energy reach weapon would probably work but talk to the DM.  Of course you can always pop up shoot an arrow at someone and burrow again using shoot on the run or something similar.

What kind of senses do you need to do so (since you generally don't have LoE, I think)?

Tremor sense, life sense, think there is one for plants too.  Course you could just use divination magic/psionics.  "ground level above me +5 feet" is probably a specific enough location for most such spells or powers.

Can you just hang out in dirt without suffocating?

That's entirely up to your DM but probably not.  Just pick a race that doesn't need to breath or pick up a magic scuba tank at your local Magi Mart.  Decanter of Endless Air anyone?

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: Burrow speed
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2012, 04:29:10 PM »

What kind of senses do you need to do so (since you generally don't have LoE, I think)?

Tremor sense, life sense, think there is one for plants too.  Course you could just use divination magic/psionics.  "ground level above me +5 feet" is probably a specific enough location for most such spells or powers.
Problem is, the ground breaks line of sight and line of effect, thus no spell use for you!

Quote
Can you just hang out in dirt without suffocating?
That's entirely up to your DM but probably not.  Just pick a race that doesn't need to breath or pick up a magic scuba tank at your local Magi Mart.  Decanter of Endless Air anyone?
Necklace of Adaptation or Bottle of Air, both in the DMG.

But again, it probably depends on your DM if you don't have either of those items.  Moles live underground for hours at time.  They don't suffocate.  Badgers have a burrow speed, and the rules don't allow you to follow through the tunnel, but they don't suffocate either.
But put a worm in mud, and it climbs to the surface, because it doesn't want to drown.
« Last Edit: May 13, 2012, 04:32:23 PM by ksbsnowowl »

Offline nijineko

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Re: Burrow speed
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2012, 06:03:45 PM »
if you don't leave a tunnel, you will need a source of air or the ability to not breath. even if you leave a tunnel, the dm would be legit to claim that after so far, you need a source of fresh air.

Offline IGNG

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Re: Burrow speed
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2012, 03:16:43 AM »
You could just use divination magic/psionics.  "ground level above me +5 feet" is probably a specific enough location for most such spells or powers.
Problem is, the ground breaks line of sight and line of effect, thus no spell use for you!

Many divination spells/powers specifically state that you don't need line of sight or effect.

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: Burrow speed
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2012, 09:20:58 AM »
You could just use divination magic/psionics.  "ground level above me +5 feet" is probably a specific enough location for most such spells or powers.
Problem is, the ground breaks line of sight and line of effect, thus no spell use for you!

Many divination spells/powers specifically state that you don't need line of sight or effect.
Yes, but for most "combat" spells (which the OP is asking about - combat) aren't those.  In fact, I'm pretty sure none of them are.

Offline IGNG

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Re: Burrow speed
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2012, 12:34:41 PM »
Well yes, that's something I addressed in a difference part of the post.  The part you quoted was where I was addressing his question as to how to sense people above ground.

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: Burrow speed
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2012, 01:42:07 PM »
Well yes, that's something I addressed in a difference part of the post.  The part you quoted was where I was addressing his question as to how to sense people above ground.
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Indeed you did.