Duskblade channeling + Shocking Grasp

[NunoM]

This has been puzzling me, since i read the tactic in the Duskblade Handbook.

Let's say a Duskblade channels a "Shocking Grasp" spell through his weapon and the target is wearing metal armor.
- Does the +3 bonus to attack, granted by the spell, apply to the attack made with the weapon?

I've searched in a few forums about this, and the opinions are evenly spread. Some even mention something about a FAQ that allows this, but i couldn't find it * (see EDIT).

Personally, i'm inclined to say "no", for the same reason that the "Shocking Grasp" damage isn't multiplied when a crit is scored with the weapon (i.e.: the spell is a secondary effect of the attack, not an attack in itself).
However, my Duskblade has just reached 3rd level (just acquired the Arcane Channeling CF) and is now engaged in combat (session ended mid-encounter) with an half-orc clad in breastplate. This will most certainly be the next move, so i have to be sure before my DM throws a book at me...

What do you guys say?

EDIT: It wasn't a FAQ... It was here (see last post): discussion

[kitep]

I can see it both ways.  I lean toward "yes", but it could be because I just started playing my first duskblade this week so I'm biased 

Did you know that the shocking grasp damage is multiplied on a crit?  I've been treating it as a shock weapon where the electrical damage is not multiplied, but it's not a weapon ability, it's a spell.  And the PHB (p140, sidebar) specifically mentions shocking grasp as able to score crits.

[Argent Fatalis]

Regarding the Shocking Grasp spell through melee attacks, I would err on the "no" portion, because the method of transferring the electrical attack is through a melee swing.

However...

The text from the spell seems to suggest the Shocking Grasp spell is (understandably) attracted to metal, based on the fluff text of "...if the opponent is wearing metal armor (or made out of metal, carrying a lot of metal, or the like).", and you could claim that this attraction makes a melee swing with it more likely to hit. It is, in a sense, pulling your weapon toward the target.

With that in mind, I would agree that a Shocking Grasp through Arcane Channeling should get the +3 to hit if I were the player or the DM.

[NunoM]

Did you know that the shocking grasp damage is multiplied on a crit?  I've been treating it as a shock weapon where the electrical damage is not multiplied, but it's not a weapon ability, it's a spell.  And the PHB (p140, sidebar) specifically mentions shocking grasp as able to score crits.

I used to think like that too, but, actually, it doesn't...
The spell itself requires an attack to be delivered, that's the reason why it can score a critical*. However, when channelling, the attack you're rolling isn't specifically for the delivery of the spell, but for the weapon attack. Therefore, the spell, when delivered this way, doesn't need an attack, so it can't score a critical on it's own. It's a "piggy-back" effect of the weapon attack roll.
Think of it as a "spell storing weapon effect", and you're there!

I could go on, even with a quote from the FAQ, but i made a lot of questions regarding the Duskblade's abilities in this forum already (this one is among them), so i suggest you take a look. Maybe some of my own questions can help you with your new char...


* Check "Complete Arcane" for more info on spells that crit and what kind of damage doubles.

[kitep]

I'll take your word for it, especially since that's the way I was originally going to play anyway.

But I have noticed a duskblade can cast "Blade of Blood" as a swift action, then channel Shocking Grasp in the same attack.  Nothing like burning through all your spells as quickly as possible

[NunoM]

Do you guys have any other opinion regarding my original question?

The session is tomorrow and i can sense books flying...

[Kethrian]

Strictly by RAW, no.  As Arcane Channeling states, "If the melee attack is successful, the attack deals damage normally; then the effect of the spell is resolved."  Bolded for emphasis.  The weapon attack is resolved, then the spell.

However, considering it's a +3 to hit on a 1st level spell, I allow it in my games.  There isn't anything overpowering from it, and the Duskblade's player gets to feel a little more badass.