Glitterdust Questions

[darkelfo]

1. How long does the glitterdust cloud persist? Does it last the entire spell duration or is it just a "poof" of glitterdust on the first round?

2. Is there a save for the dust-covering effect or is the save just for blindness?

 

[IcyCool]

Glitterdust

Conjuration (Creation)

Level: Brd 2, Sor/Wiz 2

Components: V, S, M

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)

Area: Creatures and objects within 10-ft.-radius spread

Duration: 1 round/level

Saving Throw: Will negates (blinding only)

Spell Resistance: No

A cloud of golden particles covers everyone and everything in the area, causing creatures to become blinded and visibly outlining invisible things for the duration of the spell. All within the area are covered by the dust, which cannot be removed and continues to sparkle until it fades.

Any creature covered by the dust takes a –40 penalty on Hide checks.

Material Component: Ground mica.

So:

1. The "cloud" is no more a cloud than a fireball. It coats everyone and everything in a 10ft. radius spread.

2. The saving throw is: Will negates (Blinding only).

Does that answer your questions?

 

[darkelfo]

So:

1. The "cloud" is no more a cloud than a fireball. It coats everyone and everything in a 10ft. radius spread.

2. The saving throw is: Will negates (Blinding only).

Does that answer your questions?

Thanks, but no. Does the clod continue to coat everything for the duration of the spell? I realize that once people are covered in the dust, the dust continues to sparkle on them for the duration, but does the cloud continue to cover people and things in the dust during the duration?

 

[sullivan]

Ya, while it doesn't say the cloud disperses immediately, it implies that in that it specifies that area of effect is the items within a certain distance. Not that the area is a cloud of a certain size (such as with Obscuring Mist). Nor does it explicitly give rules for entering into the area like Entangle does. So that is how I'd rule. Coating is instantaneous, Duration is only how long for the glittering of the particles that stick during the initial burst.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Thanks, but no. Does the clod continue to coat everything for the duration of the spell?

Yes. Note, however, that after the initial burst, it's no longer a cloud so much as a coating. Thus, it coats the walls, floors, creatures, etc., that are within the initial burst.

Therefore, for a period of 1 round / level, everything that was initially coated sparkles - including the walls, the floor, the ceilings, etc.

 

[darkelfo]

Ya, while it doesn't say the cloud disperses immediately, it implies that in that it specifies that area of effect is the items within a certain distance. Not that the area is a cloud of a certain size (such as with Obscuring Mist). Nor does it explicitly give rules for entering into the are like Entangle does. So that is how I'd rule. Coating is instantaneous, Duration is only how long for the glittering of the particles that stick during the initial burst.

That's my reading too. There is a burst that coats EVERYONE and everything in the area (no save) and all mobs in the area must save or be blinded. After the first round, anyone can enter the area where the spell was cast without having to save. Anyone who failed their save is blinded for the duration and everyone in the effect is coated for the duration regardless of whether they stay in the area or not.

For roleplaying purposes and description, the area is probably still coated in lingering dust but walking through it after the first round does not cause blindness nor does it coat (though you might leave glitterdust footprints upon the DM's discretion.

Wow. Cool spell. It has a very good range and the area is not too shabby. 10 foot radius is 20 foot across. Four squares.

 

[frankthedm]

A hella good spell, if it made a glittery cloud as well, that just be overkill. Will save, hitting everything with eyes, area effect blindness is NASTY.

 

[darkelfo]

Here's a follow up: how does it effect invisible creatures?

I am sure that creatures who escape the Prime Material and "bounce" back in are invisible while they are off the plane, but incorporeal and invisible creatures bound to the Prime Material would have a difficult time hiding. Thoughts?

This seems like the primary benefit after the blindness effect.

 

[IcyCool]

Thanks, but no. Does the clod continue to coat everything for the duration of the spell? I realize that once people are covered in the dust, the dust continues to sparkle on them for the duration, but does the cloud continue to cover people and things in the dust during the duration?

Sorry, I had meant to bold the following two lines:

Area: Creatures and objects within 10-ft.-radius spread

Saving Throw: Will negates (blinding only)

So, the answer to #2 is pretty straight forward. Now that I read over it again, I'm not entirely sure that the cloud goes away. It might indeed linger for the whole duration. I've never played it that way, but you could argue that it is still there.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Wow. Cool spell.

Many people consider it one of the best 2nd level spells around.

Many others don't feel the love.

I convinced our party Wizard to pick it up at 3rd level, and he complains that he's now 6th, he's only cast it once, and the opponents saved against the Blindness.

But I'd recommend it again if we were back at 3rd level. It's a great spell, he's just not using it!

-Hyp.