Ask a Simple Question 24: We Can Work It Night By Night

[Esgath]

Q 136: If I get size increases, do I also get a set dexterity penalty? Or do I only get penalties/bonuses due to the methods I achieve the size increases?
For example, if I get polymorphed into something large, and then would use righteous might I would be huge without a dex penalty. But a medium creature using expansion for 2 size increases would also be huge, but with -4 dex.

[Agita]

Q 136: If I get size increases, do I also get a set dexterity penalty? Or do I only get penalties/bonuses due to the methods I achieve the size increases?
For example, if I get polymorphed into something large, and then would use righteous might I would be huge without a dex penalty. But a medium creature using expansion for 2 size increases would also be huge, but with -4 dex.

A 136

Spells that effect size increases override the general rules for size increases, so there are no set penalties or bonuses for such increases. Effectively, the size increase granted by the spell and the ability bonuses or penalties it grants are separate. So yes, a Large creature using Righteous Might to become Huge would have no Dex penalty, whereas a Medium creature using Expansion for the selfsame would take a -4 Dex penalty.

[something random]

Q121: Does the Psychic Focus soulmeld affect the Claw of Energy power?

bump

[Tr011]

Q137: Does ability damage stack? (example 1: I manifest a power dealing 1d4 Cha-Damage for 4, I manifest it again for 4, does an enemy with 8 Cha have now 0 Cha? example 2: I manifest a power dealing 1d4 Cha-Damage, now I cast a wizard spell dealing Cha-Damage, does this stack?)

[Agita]

Q137: Does ability damage stack? (example 1: I manifest a power dealing 1d4 Cha-Damage for 4, I manifest it again for 4, does an enemy with 8 Cha have now 0 Cha? example 2: I manifest a power dealing 1d4 Cha-Damage, now I cast a wizard spell dealing Cha-Damage, does this stack?)

A 137

It accumulates much like hit point damage, so yes, ability damage would 'stack'. I wouldn't use the term stacking, though, as it's musleading in this case - stacking applies to bonuses and penalties and has specific rules regarding it, whereas damage isn't a penalty in game terms. Think of it as just that, damage (except done to an ability score rather than hit points), and you'll get a good idea of its interactions with rules. So both your examples would be correct, two instances of 4 Cha damage becomes 8 Cha damage, and a power and a spell dealing Cha damage separately 'stack'.

[SeekingKnight]

Q138


When does Turning/Rebuking stop being useful?  Like high level, mid level?  Thanks.

[Kuroimaken]

Q138


When does Turning/Rebuking stop being useful?  Like high level, mid level?  Thanks.

Never. Even assuming you don't use turning/rebuking itself, you can still use it to power feats.

[SeekingKnight]

Never. Even assuming you don't use turning/rebuking itself, you can still use it to power feats.

True but I mean just for using it on undead.  Like if I am going for PrCs that increase my CL do I worry if they don't stack for what kind of undead I can turn/rebuke?

[kevin_video]

Never. Even assuming you don't use turning/rebuking itself, you can still use it to power feats.

True but I mean just for using it on undead.  Like if I am going for PrCs that increase my CL do I worry if they don't stack for what kind of undead I can turn/rebuke?

Very few PrCs increase your CL and your turn/rebuking abilities, and undead required a lot of HD to be a threat after a while. If you're trying to build a character that turns them all the time, you'll need to acknowledge that eventually you won't be able to, even with shenanigans. I'd say a little more than mid-level you'll start to see this with some, but not all, undead.

[SeekingKnight]

Thanks guys.  I have two seperate characters and was trying to figure if to go for more caster levels while not worrying about increasing turning levels.

[snakeman830]

Never. Even assuming you don't use turning/rebuking itself, you can still use it to power feats.

True but I mean just for using it on undead.  Like if I am going for PrCs that increase my CL do I worry if they don't stack for what kind of undead I can turn/rebuke?

Very few PrCs increase your CL and your turn/rebuking abilities, and undead required a lot of HD to be a threat after a while. If you're trying to build a character that turns them all the time, you'll need to acknowledge that eventually you won't be able to, even with shenanigans. I'd say a little more than mid-level you'll start to see this with some, but not all, undead.

Not entirely true.  There are many high CR, low HD undead (typically liches, vampires,and similar types) as well as many high HD, low CR undead.  Then there are those undead that are useful to rebuke at virtually all levels (Shadows are a prime example of this).

[CrimsonDeath]

Never. Even assuming you don't use turning/rebuking itself, you can still use it to power feats.

True but I mean just for using it on undead.  Like if I am going for PrCs that increase my CL do I worry if they don't stack for what kind of undead I can turn/rebuke?

Very few PrCs increase your CL and your turn/rebuking abilities, and undead required a lot of HD to be a threat after a while. If you're trying to build a character that turns them all the time, you'll need to acknowledge that eventually you won't be able to, even with shenanigans. I'd say a little more than mid-level you'll start to see this with some, but not all, undead.

Not entirely true.  There are many high CR, low HD undead (typically liches, vampires,and similar types) as well as many high HD, low CR undead.  Then there are those undead that are useful to rebuke at virtually all levels (Shadows are a prime example of this).

They often have turn resistance, though.

[kevin_video]

Q 139 What ways are there to increase a medusa's gaze attack other than HD, feats, leadership tome, and the cloak of charisma?

[Ithamar]

A139:  Veil of Illusion from Sandstorm would probably work, as it gives +2 DC for all CHA based SU abilities.  If you're a good Medusa, the Saint template's Holy Power ability will increase the DC against evil creatures.

[kevin_video]

A139:  Veil of Illusion from Sandstorm would probably work, as it gives +2 DC for all CHA based SU abilities.  If you're a good Medusa, the Saint template's Holy Power ability will increase the DC against evil creatures.

Evil medusa, but that veil sounds good.

[zook1shoe]

Q 139 What ways are there to increase a medusa's gaze attack other than HD, feats, leadership tome, and the cloak of charisma?

Adding the Tauric template with a paragon creature as the lower half.

Adding the Symbiotic template with a paragon creature as the host part.

Changing to a Giant, then adding the Lycanthropy template with a paragon creature animal part.

Changing to a Giant, then adding the Entomanothropy template with a paragon creature vermin part.

[Vicerious]

Q140 I know somewhere in D&D I've run into a creature called a "kurst" or some variation thereof.  They're cursed humanoids who are forced to serve evil and are nigh impossible to kill without breaking said curse.  I know they exist, I just can't find where.  A little help?

[The_Mad_Linguist]

Q140 I know somewhere in D&D I've run into a creature called a "kurst" or some variation thereof.  They're cursed humanoids who are forced to serve evil and are nigh impossible to kill without breaking said curse.  I know they exist, I just can't find where.  A little help?

"Curst", I believe.  Monsters of Faerun.  They have regeneration and nonlethal immunity out of the box.

[Saxony]

Q140 I know somewhere in D&D I've run into a creature called a "kurst" or some variation thereof.  They're cursed humanoids who are forced to serve evil and are nigh impossible to kill without breaking said curse.  I know they exist, I just can't find where.  A little help?

Looking for Curst? I googled them and Wizards.com says they're also in Lost Empires of Faerun. Undead critters that are tough to kill I believe.

[jeffrie]

Q141I have a chart here that says expert gets bonus feats. IIRC, you can't use expert (generic classes) with base classes (but can add prestige classes) , right?