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Grumgarr
Here for a while
(2/8/03 4:09 am)
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Errata: Estalion's wand and Rakshasas' SR
Estalion's Wand
This DoomDreamer (area 28 in the Recovered Temple, p.146) is listed (stats on p. 185) as possessing a Wand of Bolts of Bedevilment (22 charges).
Though I'd love to use this, it's a 5th-level spell (Madness Domain), so can't legitimitately be used in a wand (4th-level spell cap).
I suggest replacing it with a Wand of Blast of Force (because I like this spell and don't get to use it often enough, mostly). Pus the original wand is useless to anyone without the Madness domain, so BoF (a 3rd-level Force domain spell) keeps this restriction intact.
Rakshasas - Spell Immunity
From the MM, p. 154 "Rakshasas ignore the effects of spells and spell-like abilities of 8th level or less, just as if the spellcaster had failed to overcome spell resistance."
This is a little ambiguous - what about spells that don't allow spell resistance?
Many people read Spell Immunity as 'unbeatable SR'.
If you only grant Rakshasas unbeatable SR vs. spells of less than 9th level, Detect Evil, Discern Lies etc. will find them out, as these divinations do not allow SR.
I suggest reading the Rakshasas ability as "...irrespective of the SR listing of the spell" to keep their unique immunity intact, and allow their subterfuge. If a Ring of Mind Shielding can do it, why not a powerful supernatural ability?
On a similar vein, I suggest that Detect Thoughts (as a Supernatural ability, at any rate) should allow no saving throw.
This allows doppelJaroo and the Rakshasas to actually use this signature ability - otherwise it's simply too dangerous to attempt on PCs.
Grumgarr
Edited by: Grumgarr at: 2/8/03 4:16:41 am
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 Infiniti2000
Here to stay
(2/8/03 7:35 am)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Errata: Estalion's wand and Rakshasas' SR
Spell Immunity:
Spell Immunity is indeed unbeatable SR. That is how the FAQ defines it and without a doubt how it will be clarified in 3.5e. Feel free to rule differently IYC, but that is the intent. The same thing goes for golems. Yes, this means that some spells will affect them, but that's okay. The idea behind this is to make it very difficult for spellcasters, but not totally impossible, nerfing all their spells. A ring of mind shielding is much more specific, target a unique classification of spells, not all spells below 9th level (i.e. everything the PC's can use).
Detect Thoughts:
This point was discussed a while ago and the consensus (I believe, at least I use it this way) is that it allows a saving throw, but being supernatural it is an undetectable attempt. This means you can roll the save for your players, or if you don't think your players will metagame, you can have them roll it. Even if the detect thoughts fails, the PCs will not notice the attempt.
PS Perhaps we should add this to the rules thread?
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Taxman66
Here for a while
(2/10/03 7:56 am)
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Re: Errata: Estalion's wand and Rakshasas' SR
There was not a consenus on that. Allowing the ability to be 'undetectable' really jacks up the abilities of Dopples and should jack up their CR. They would be almost unstoppable and easily achieve high ranks in society (excepting perhaps royalty, clergy and spell casting guilds) that didn't occasionally (magically) screen their own.
Taxman
"It takes an uncommon mind to think of these things, Hobbes." - Calvin
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Infiniti2000
Here to stay
(2/10/03 9:19 am)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Errata: Estalion's wand and Rakshasas' SR
"There was not a consenus on that." My apologies then.
Alternatively, eventually all doppelgangers will be identified because they will eventually fail against everyone. I guess it depends on how you want to run it. Per the rules, I think it is undetectable. Per flavor, it depends on your campaign. Just using detect thoughts, I don't think it implies someone could rise high in society. Sure, it helps, but it certainly doesn't guarantee anything. Their bluff is great, but their charisma is still above average (13). A real leader's charisma should be higher and should have nearly an equal bluff check, or not even need a bluff. All IMO.
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Taxman66
Here for a while
(2/10/03 10:02 am)
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Re: Errata: Estalion's wand and Rakshasas' SR
Used against the masses the 'defensive tingle' is likely to be ignored, thus allowing the Dopple to keep trying. Against PCs or others of enough experience and knowledge to know what it means is a different story. If it is undectable the Doppleganger has very very little to worry about the ability being checked. If it isn't undetectable, then he has to be carefull about who he tries it on and under what circumstances. I think the former is too powerfull and the later is more in line of what is intended (IMO, of course).
Taxman
"It takes an uncommon mind to think of these things, Hobbes." - Calvin
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ronin
Here for a while
(2/10/03 5:00 pm)
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Re: Estalion's wand
I swapped out the bolts of bedevilment wand of Estalion's for a wand of enervation. This had a pretty good impact on any battle he was involved with and turned an otherwise kind of weak NPC into one to be feared. My players groaned out loud every time he aimed the wand their direction.
There's nothing like passing around a few negative levels to weaken a few powerful PCs. I think they feared that wand more than they did the other doomdreamers in the battle. Let us know once you decide what you go with and how the battle turns out. Good luck.
ronin
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Siobharek 
Still here? Wow.
(2/11/03 12:55 am)
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Re: Estalion's wand
I'll errata the wand (good catch), but I don't really see a concrete piece of errata in the Rakshasas, sorry  . The errata will include the suggested replacements for the bolts.
Siobharek
...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. |
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