Call Lightning AoO Question

[TracerBullet42]

A Question came up in our game last night. The druid had cast Call Lightning. In the next round, he called down a bolt to strike a troll (with 10' reach) that was 10' away (so the troll was now threatening the druid's square.)

Now I know that the rules state that calling the bolt is a standard action...

You need not call a bolt of lightning immediately; other actions, even spellcasting, can be performed. However, each round after the first you may use a standard action (concentrating on the spell) to call a bolt. You may call a total number of bolts equal to your caster level (maximum 10 bolts).

Now here's the question...does the standard action of calling a bolt of lightning provoke an Attack of Opportunity? We ruled that it did not, but could not find a definitive answer in the rules. The closest thing we could find was that "concentrating to maintain an active spell" did not provoke an AoO, and we felt this was a similar situation.

So what say ye, oh wise patrons of ENWorld? Little help?

 

[Kae'Yoss]

So what say ye, oh wise patrons of ENWorld? Little help?

Seems the Wise Patrons are out, you have to make do with me.

The spell states that the standard action is for concentrating on the spell, and concentrating on a spell provokes an AoO. There you go.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Seems the Wise Patrons are out, you have to make do with me.

The spell states that the standard action is for concentrating on the spell, and concentrating on a spell provokes an AoO. There you go.

I agree that the standard action is for concentrating on the spell. I do not agree that concentrating on a spell provokes an AoO. The chart in the SRD says that Concentrate to maintain an active spell = No AoO. (I tried to copy and paste the chart in here, but it looked messy...)

So I'm sticking by my thought of no AoO on the standard action to call a bolt of lighting per the Call Lightning spell.

But I would still like to hear more thoughts...just to be sure.

Edit: Oh, and I should add that this is 3.5 rules.

 

[Mahali]

I agree that the standard action is for concentrating on the spell. I do not agree that concentrating on a spell provokes an AoO. The chart in the SRD says that Concentrate to maintain an active spell = No AoO. (I tried to copy and paste the chart in here, but it looked messy...)

So I'm sticking by my thought of no AoO on the standard action to call a bolt of lighting per the Call Lightning spell.

But I would still like to hear more thoughts...just to be sure.

Edit: Oh, and I should add that this is 3.5 rules.

No AoO. If so it would have said it provoked. As pointed out concentrating to maintain a spell doesn't provoke either.

 

[Hypersmurf]

The closest thing we could find was that "concentrating to maintain an active spell" did not provoke an AoO, and we felt this was a similar situation.

The other situation that's similar (though not identical) is redirecting a spell, like Flaming Sphere or Spiritual Weapon.

"Some spells allow you to redirect the effect to new targets or areas after you cast the spell. Redirecting a spell is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity."

-Hyp.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Ok, that's what I thought. Thanks everyone!

 

[Kae'Yoss]

My bad - I looked it up in the PHB Glossary, and there it states that it provokes an AoO (which I think is the way it should be - it should be considered the more or less the same as casting a spell - AoO, but can be avoided with a Concentration check. But that's just my two cents)

 

[Delgar]

Another question with call lightning.

Do you choose a target or a point with the spell.

ie) does it only affect a single target or does it affect all the targets that surround the point?

Delgar

 

[TracerBullet42]

Another question with call lightning.

Do you choose a target or a point with the spell.

ie) does it only affect a single target or does it affect all the targets that surround the point?

Delgar

Good question...

Call Lightning
Evocation [Electricity]
Level: Drd 3
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 round
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect: One or more 30-ft.-long vertical lines of lightning
Duration: 1 min./level
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes

Immediately upon completion of the spell, and once per round thereafter, you may call down a 5-foot-wide, 30-foot-long, vertical bolt of lightning that deals 3d6 points of electricity damage. The bolt of lightning flashes down in a vertical stroke at whatever target point you choose within the spell’s range (measured from your position at the time). Any creature in the target square or in the path of the bolt is affected.

You need not call a bolt of lightning immediately; other actions, even spellcasting, can be performed. However, each round after the first you may use a standard action (concentrating on the spell) to call a bolt. You may call a total number of bolts equal to your caster level (maximum 10 bolts).

If you are outdoors and in a stormy area—a rain shower, clouds and wind, hot and cloudy conditions, or even a tornado (including a whirlwind formed by a djinni or an air elemental of at least Large size)—each bolt deals 3d10 points of electricity damage instead of 3d6.

This spell functions indoors or underground but not underwater.

Well, from the description, it mentions a "5 foot wide" bolt. So it's not a 5 foot radius, it's a 5 foot diameter. So I think it only effects the targetted space. Well, and the 30 feet directly above it.

 

[Diirk]

Good question...



Well, from the description, it mentions a "5 foot wide" bolt. So it's not a 5 foot radius, it's a 5 foot diameter. So I think it only effects the targetted space. Well, and the 30 feet directly above it.

Spells always target a point (except single target spells), so it should hit all 4 squares around said point.