Spells affecting allies

[DardraBersk]

Do spells that affect allies within a certain range also affect the caster? For example, the Bless spell specifically says that it affects "The caster and all allies within a 50-ft. radius burst centered on the caster." Whereas Prayer says that it affects "All allies and foes within a 40-ft. radius burst centered on you."

What is the difference?

 

[afata5]

Well I would think they were the same thing. Afterall, unless you have a multiple personality disorder, you are your own ally no?

 

[kaomera]

Well I would think they were the same thing. Afterall, unless you have a multiple personality disorder, you are your own ally no?

You have not met my players, apparently...

 

[DreamChaser]

Well I would think they were the same thing. Afterall, unless you have a multiple personality disorder, you are your own ally no?

Not really.

An ally (according to OneLook) is "an associate who provides assistance." As you cannot be your own associate (a person who joins with others in some activity) because you cannot join (become part of; become a member of a group or organization) yourself because joining invovles a group (any number of entities (members) considered as a unit, note the plural).

It amazes me that will all the work the designers with through to standardize the spell system, they still left so many things ad hoc because of random sacred cows.

DC

 

[Hypersmurf]

Not really.

Except in D&D, perhaps

A bard with 3 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use song or poetics to inspire courage in his allies (including himself)...

-Hyp.

 

[Bad Paper]

I have ruled Mass Snake's Swiftness to not include the caster. Am I correct?

 

[Hypersmurf]

I have ruled Mass Snake's Swiftness to not include the caster. Am I correct?

It's not how I would rule.

I can't see why a caster couldn't target himself with Snake's Swiftness (though unless Quickened, it wouldn't be very useful); similarly, I'd assume he would be affected by the Mass version.

-Hyp.

 

[DreamChaser]

Except in D&D, perhaps

A bard with 3 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use song or poetics to inspire courage in his allies (including himself)...

-Hyp.

This was kind of my point. In some places the RAW clarify, adding "including himself" or similar verbiage to the "ally" or "allies" target. In other places they do not. All it would have taken was a note in the Magic section under target defining what allies are, that is to say whether or not it includes you.

And allies is a lame designator anyway. Are they people who are actually allies or people the caster believes to be allies? What if a caster knew that an "ally" was actually a traitor but had to keep it secret for the safety of the party. This caster casts a spell that affects allies (like Prayer). Is the false ally affected?

DC

 

[starwed]

The glossary has a definition of ally:

A creature friendly to you. In most cases, references to "allies" include yourself.

 

[Bad Paper]

And allies is a lame designator anyway. Are they people who are actually allies or people the caster believes to be allies? What if a caster knew that an "ally" was actually a traitor but had to keep it secret for the safety of the party. This caster casts a spell that affects allies (like Prayer). Is the false ally affected?

"Allies" and "Enemies" are hand-waving for saying "the caster chooses each target."