Chain Lightning Targeting

[Gideon]

Last night in our campaign the sorc fired a chain lightning at a purple worm with the secondary strokes hitting Hook Horrors. Several of the other members of the party were grappled with the hook horrors.

I ruled, I'm DM, that all creatures in the same space are considered targets of the secondary bolts. All of them must make the reflex save. I originally felt that because there is a reflex save allowed the secondary bolts aren't as exact as a magic missle spell. I can see the spell description lending itself to fine point control like magic missle but that just doesn't make any sense to me.

I was wondering what other people's decisions would have been and why.

for reference:
Chain Lightning
Evocation [Electricity]
Level: Air 6, Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Targets: One primary target, plus one secondary target/level (each of which must be within 30 ft. of the primary target)
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell creates an electrical discharge that begins as a single stroke commencing from your fingertips. Unlike lightning bolt, chain lightning strikes one object or creature initially, then arcs to other targets.
The bolt deals 1d6 points of electricity damage per caster level (maximum 20d6) to the primary target. After it strikes, lightning can arc to a number of secondary targets equal to your caster level (maximum 20). The secondary bolts each strike one target and deal half as much damage as the primary one did (rounded down).
Each target can attempt a Reflex saving throw for half damage. You choose secondary targets as you like, but they must all be within 30 feet of the primary target, and no target can be struck more than once. You can choose to affect fewer secondary targets than the maximum.
Focus: A bit of fur; a piece of amber, glass, or a crystal rod; plus one silver pin for each of your caster levels.

 

[Patlin]

I would have ruled no friendly fire occurred, as the spell is targeted, not area. If it was touch attack based, that would have caused problems (barring improved precise shot) but that's not the case here. The only significant advantage of Chain Lightning over Fireball, which is three levels lower, is the ease of avoiding friendly fire. I wouldn't take that away from the caster.

 

[andargor]

According to the rules, only the Hook Horrors should have been affected:

Target or Targets: Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell.

Andargor

 

[Pielorinho]

Yep--by ruling as you did, you dramatically reduced the spell's efficacy compared to a spell 3 levels lower. Imagine that the caster is having to fix each of the targets in her mind, having to alter her incantations and hand-wavings in order to choose each target, and that the grappling PCs just get a strong tingling buzz off of the grappling targets, and I think you'd do fine.

Daniel

 

[Voadam]

Last night in our campaign the sorc fired a chain lightning at a purple worm with the secondary strokes hitting Hook Horrors. Several of the other members of the party were grappled with the hook horrors.

I ruled, I'm DM, that all creatures in the same space are considered targets of the secondary bolts. All of them must make the reflex save. I originally felt that because there is a reflex save allowed the secondary bolts aren't as exact as a magic missle spell. I can see the spell description lending itself to fine point control like magic missle but that just doesn't make any sense to me.

I was wondering what other people's decisions would have been and why.

for reference:
Chain Lightning
Evocation [Electricity]
Level: Air 6, Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Targets: One primary target, plus one secondary target/level (each of which must be within 30 ft. of the primary target)
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell creates an electrical discharge that begins as a single stroke commencing from your fingertips. Unlike lightning bolt, chain lightning strikes one object or creature initially, then arcs to other targets.
The bolt deals 1d6 points of electricity damage per caster level (maximum 20d6) to the primary target. After it strikes, lightning can arc to a number of secondary targets equal to your caster level (maximum 20). The secondary bolts each strike one target and deal half as much damage as the primary one did (rounded down).
Each target can attempt a Reflex saving throw for half damage. You choose secondary targets as you like, but they must all be within 30 feet of the primary target, and no target can be struck more than once. You can choose to affect fewer secondary targets than the maximum.
Focus: A bit of fur; a piece of amber, glass, or a crystal rod; plus one silver pin for each of your caster levels.

You are the DM so your rule goes, but by the spell definition it only hits the secondary targets and that would not include extra creatures grappling with the targets.

CL does 1d6/lvl max 20d6 to one target and half that to secondary targets, so for the secondary targets it is like a normal 3rd level lightning bolt or fireball. The targeting and no friendly fire is really what makes it a 6th level attack spell.

 

[Gideon]

Alright, thank you for the help and being specific with your reasons. I'll not make that mistake again next time.