Ask a Simple Question, Get a simple answer

[Shadowhunter]

Probably.

Q687:
Ok, I'm tired of reading how Explosive Runes are abusable. Well, not technically that fact, since it's true.
But the "I make a basket full of Explosive Runes and then fail to dispel them, so they blow up".

Dispel Magic:
"You automatically succeed on your
dispel check against any spell that you cast
yourself."

Explosive Runes:
"Another creature can remove them with a
successful dispel magic or erase spell, but
attempting to dispel or erase the runes and
failing to do so triggers the explosion."

Now, even if Dispel Magic hadn't the little line saying that you automatically succeed to dispel you own spell, then Explosive runes are still worded as "another creature" may attempt.

So, basically:
Am I missing something here, or do I need a friendly caster who'll cast Dispel Magic when we need to detonate them?
Because it sure looks that way.

[Kuroimaken]

Probably.

Q687:
Ok, I'm tired of reading how Explosive Runes are abusable. Well, not technically that fact, since it's true.
But the "I make a basket full of Explosive Runes and then fail to dispel them, so they blow up".

Dispel Magic:
"You automatically succeed on your
dispel check against any spell that you cast
yourself."

Explosive Runes:
"Another creature can remove them with a
successful dispel magic or erase spell, but
attempting to dispel or erase the runes and
failing to do so triggers the explosion."

Now, even if Dispel Magic hadn't the little line saying that you automatically succeed to dispel you own spell, then Explosive runes are still worded as "another creature" may attempt.

So, basically:
Am I missing something here, or do I need a friendly caster who'll cast Dispel Magic when we need to detonate them?
Because it sure looks that way.

The typical use of this is to make a low-CL wand of Dispel Magic and use THAT to dispel the runes. Since technically you're not the one casting the spell, as soon as you fail to dispel them, BOOM.

Theoretically, you could also use Prestidigitation to have the runes be "read" by a magic sensor, or you could use intelligent summoned monsters to read them and blow up in the process. You could also use Craft Contingent Spell and have an Erase spell prepared (at low CL) to go off when the object with the runes touches an enemy, or you could take a Spellweaver's disk (which is indestructable), wrap it in Explosive Runes scrolls, and use Craft Contingent Spell on the disk to erase them...

In other words, there are too many methods to detonate those.

[PhaedrusXY]

Or your familiar can activate the wand of dispel magic (UMD ranks), or you can use the Amaneunsis cantrip to read them from a distance, etc. 

[PhaedrusXY]

Q688: Can the Sudden feats be used to fulfill prereqs? For example, if something requires Still Spell, can I take Sudden Still Spell instead?

[ksbsnowowl]

Q 688: If you are a Barbarian/Primeval (from Frostburn), or even a Barbarian/Druid, and you turn into a Dire Wolverine, enter combat under the effect of your barbarian rage, and get hit for damage, what happens?  Does the Dire Wolverine rage ability stack with the Barb rage? Or do they overlap?  They are both Ex abilities that are called "Rage (Ex)," though they do work slightly differently.

[skydragonknight]

A688(PhXY): No. If a specific feat is required as a prerequisite, then that is the feat required. The only exceptions are spelled out in the feats (like expeditious dodge for dodge and stone power for power attack).
By RAI, you might be able to use Sudden (Maximize) to craft a Metamagic Rod of (Maximize) though, since you can create the effect the rod duplicates. DM-dependant of course so YMMV.

A689(ksb): Although the abilities are similar, wolverine's racial ability does not reference the barbarian class feature or say "this is otherwise identical to the barbarian's rage ability." Also the trigger is different, the limitations of actions are different(you MUST take an offensive action vs. the opponent that injured you, if able), there is no fixed duration and no bonus on will saves or fatigue afterwards. This many differences suggest the two abilities would likely qualify as separate sources despite the same name, and that the bonuses, penalties and limitations of both kinds of rages should stack while both are in effect.
From the perspective of balance, the benefits of wolverine rage are weighed by the downside that the player must actively engage the opponent that triggered the ability--even if the opponent is one that the player has no hopes of defeating by himself or if there is an enemy that is a higher tactical priority(the player is forced to attack the summon rather than the summoner, for example).

Q690: Is it perhaps time for a new thread for this topic? Almost 100 pages...

[skydragonknight]

*just remembered why he usually avoids this thread; he doesn't know how to give a simple answer*

[Bozwevial]

A690: Maybe it might be prudent...but let's make it a nice round number and wait until the hundredth age.

[Takanaki]

Q 691: Level 14, BAB 6/1 - I'm an archivist with PrCs for casting, what are my options for boosting my chances to hit in combat. Persistant Divine power is out of the question and banhammered, though I can cast an extended version, i'm looking for other solutions. The longer and more reliable the solutions the better.

Clr/Brd/Rng/Dru/Pld/Domain spells are fine for my Archivist... equipment is fine too but try not to make it too expensive, we have an Artificer but i'm not currently rolling in money and he doesn't work for free.

No persistant spell... rawr ;O

Right now I can just think Divine Power extended or Polymorph o.o

[sonofzeal]

Q 691: Level 14, BAB 6/1 - I'm an archivist with PrCs for casting, what are my options for boosting my chances to hit in combat. Persistant Divine power is out of the question and banhammered, though I can cast an extended version, i'm looking for other solutions. The longer and more reliable the solutions the better.

Clr/Brd/Rng/Dru/Pld/Domain spells are fine for my Archivist... equipment is fine too but try not to make it too expensive, we have an Artificer but i'm not currently rolling in money and he doesn't work for free.

No persistant spell... rawr ;O

Right now I can just think Divine Power extended or Polymorph o.o

A 691 (sorta): Divine Power and Polymorph work, as do boosts to your stats.  Divine Favour is also right up your alley.  Reduce Person nets you a +2 if the roll is dex-based, stacks with Cat's Grace, and both give you +2 AC as well.  Honestly though, I find your best chance is to turn things into Touch Attacks (ask your Artificer about "Impaling" weapons).  That's all off the top of my head.

(edit) ....but if you're serious about attack rolls, I can't believe I forgot "Martial Study: Emerald Razor".  For the cost of a feat, you get one melee attack as a touch attack per encounter.  That may be cheaper and more flexible than an Impaling weapon, depending on your build.

[Bozwevial]

A691.5: If you can manage to get Wraithstrike (and possibly Persist it), all your melee attacks will be touch attacks.

[sonofzeal]

Q 692: Are there any Artificer-themed gods, in any setting?  Specifically one that would encourage magical and mechanical experimentation, with none of those silly ethical limitations attached to it?  Boccob works, but anything a bit more tailored would be appreciated.  (If it matters, I'm planning to make a Sacred Guardian but haven't specified a patron yet)

[InnaBinder]

A692: Gond seems pretty well suited.

[ksbsnowowl]

Q 691: Level 14, - I'm an archivist with PrCs for casting, what are my options for boosting my chances to hit in combat.

Do you not already have Knowledge Devotion from Complete Champion?  You should already have the skill ranks invested in the Knowledge skills.  And isn't there a cleric spell that grants you a bonus to a knowledge check?  You should be getting +3 to +5 to attack and damage pretty regularly by this level.

[Takanaki]

Q 691: Level 14, BAB 6/1 - I'm an archivist with PrCs for casting, what are my options for boosting my chances to hit in combat. Persistant Divine power is out of the question and banhammered, though I can cast an extended version, i'm looking for other solutions. The longer and more reliable the solutions the better.

Clr/Brd/Rng/Dru/Pld/Domain spells are fine for my Archivist... equipment is fine too but try not to make it too expensive, we have an Artificer but i'm not currently rolling in money and he doesn't work for free.

No persistant spell... rawr ;O

Right now I can just think Divine Power extended or Polymorph o.o

A 691 (sorta): Divine Power and Polymorph work, as do boosts to your stats.  Divine Favour is also right up your alley.  Reduce Person nets you a +2 if the roll is dex-based, stacks with Cat's Grace, and both give you +2 AC as well.  Honestly though, I find your best chance is to turn things into Touch Attacks (ask your Artificer about "Impaling" weapons).  That's all off the top of my head.

(edit) ....but if you're serious about attack rolls, I can't believe I forgot "Martial Study: Emerald Razor".  For the cost of a feat, you get one melee attack as a touch attack per encounter.  That may be cheaper and more flexible than an Impaling weapon, depending on your build.

I don't have Knowledge Devotion... yet, persistant Wraithstrike... amusing but beyond the limits of the spell and i'm sure my DM would kill me.

Q693 Where do I find information on Impaling weapons please?

[sonofzeal]

A692: Gond seems pretty well suited.

Thanks, that works perfectly!

Q693 Where do I find information on Impaling weapons please?

A693: Magic Item Compendium, under the special weapon property section.

[Takanaki]

Thanks.

Just checked the Polymorphing thread on wizards boards and there are Utility forms, combat forms, humanlike forms and outsider form lists... all focused on strength.

Q694 Any ideas for a good dex based polymorph that is humanoid for keeping equip, or something diabolically nasty I could turn into from MMIII-V and the Folios o_O i'm working my way through them at the moment. Advice appreciated... and thanks as usual.

@ My earlier question on boosting to hit rolls level 3 'Find the Gap' in the spell compendium works wonders, 1 touch attack per round, duration 1rd/lvl.

[sonofzeal]

Q694 Any ideas for a good dex based polymorph that is humanoid for keeping equip, or something diabolically nasty I could turn into from MMIII-V and the Folios o_O i'm working my way through them at the moment. Advice appreciated... and thanks as usual.

You mean "humanoid" like the shape, not the type?  Nimblewrights work for that, though I'm sure there's others.

Also....

Q695: "Sacred Guardian" prices are listed in "steel pieces", which I assume are the local currency.  Is there a listed exchange rate with the gp from other settings, or should I assume 1:1? Found it - Dragonlance Campaign Setting, page 195.  It's 1:1 if anyone else was curious.

[ksbsnowowl]

Q696:Circle Magic as described in the FRCS says that bonus spell levels can be expended to increase a caster's level for dispel checks, caster level checks, etc.  It then also notes that this bonus lasts for 24 hours.  If during that 24 hours the character casts a spell with a permanent duration, will the bonus to caster level vs. dispel checks remain at the heightened value for the permanent duration (potentially forever), or will it fade after 24 hours?  I assume it remains at the heightened caster level, but I just want to make sure.

[The_Mad_Linguist]

Q696:Circle Magic as described in the FRCS says that bonus spell levels can be expended to increase a caster's level for dispel checks, caster level checks, etc.  It then also notes that this bonus lasts for 24 hours.  If during that 24 hours the character casts a spell with a permanent duration, will the bonus to caster level vs. dispel checks remain at the heightened value for the permanent duration (potentially forever), or will it fade after 24 hours?  I assume it remains at the heightened caster level, but I just want to make sure.

A696: Remains at heightened.  Anything else would be silly (your preexisting spells aren't enhanced by gaining levels, are they?).