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1 of 1- Ynas Midgard
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Spellcasting and Hindered
p252 notes that
If a sorcerer is engaged in melee with an enemy and attempts to cast a spell, he is effectively hindered
which translates to having a penalty of -2 AC.
My question is whether the same penalty applies to missile attacks targeted at a sorcerer whilst casting? Even though the rules stay silent, an argument can be made that the sorcerer is equally distracted, therefore cannot pay full attention to and position properly against an incoming arrow.
Last edited by Ynas Midgard (8/17/2018 9:15 am)
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- gizmomathboy
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Re: Spellcasting and Hindered
I would say they suffer the penalty. They aren't focusing on any kind of combat, missile fire included.
So, don't cast in melee . :-)
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- mabon5127
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Re: Spellcasting and Hindered
gizmomathboy wrote:
I would say they suffer the penalty. They aren't focusing on any kind of combat, missile fire included.
So, don't cast in melee . :-)
I agree.
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- Iron Ranger
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Re: Spellcasting and Hindered
Not sure I agree. Depends on when the missiles were launched. Also maybe on the level of the caster... I would think that with experience, staying cool as a cucumber under fire could become the norm.
- DMPrata
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Re: Spellcasting and Hindered
If the sorcerer is casting in melee, then he suffers a –2 AC penalty vs. all attacks (melee and missile). If the sorcerer is not in melee, then he retains his normal AC vs. incoming missiles.
- Iron Ranger
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Re: Spellcasting and Hindered
If the sorcerer is casting in melee, then he suffers a –2 AC penalty vs. all attacks (melee and missile). If the sorcerer is not in melee, then he retains his normal AC vs. incoming missiles.
Now this I can agree with!
How close can the caster get to the melee without being "in" the melee and suffering the penalty?
The length of the longest nearest weapon?
- DMPrata
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Re: Spellcasting and Hindered
How close can the caster get to the melee without being "in" the melee and suffering the penalty?
The length of the longest nearest weapon?
I’d use the enemies’ reach, as defined on p. 248.
- Iron Ranger
- Wicked Woodsman
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Re: Spellcasting and Hindered
How close can the caster get to the melee without being "in" the melee and suffering the penalty?
The length of the longest nearest weapon?
I’d use the enemies’ reach, as defined on p. 248.
Thanks David!
(Vol III, p. 212 for those of us still in the 1E boxed set.)
- Ynas Midgard
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Re: Spellcasting and Hindered
@ DMPrata
Oh yeah, I somehow missed that hindered applies to both melee and missile attacks. Thanks for the clarification!
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