Distant Blow and Picks

[Sindri]

Nice to know my interpretation wasn't totally off the mark.

Originally Posted by Gold & Appel Inc

My first impulse was to say that it can get stuck as long as the spell is still active, but that this is avoidable by letting the duration expire or by using the normal rules for early cancellation, but given the text, "the force of the blow is transmitted magically," (4e Magic p 144) it's pretty arguable either way IMHO.

Yeah it's quite arguable. Getting rid of a major limitation of a weapon shouldn't be done lightly but on the other hand what is getting stuck? There isn't actually an invisible double. I guess maybe the magical transmission of the force might get stuck? That would make sense if the force is acting like the weirdly solid force that RPG magic systems like I suppose.

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

I'd tend to agree. The text of Distant Blow indicates that it can only transfer strikes, and is useless for grappling, entangling, garroting, etc. In this context, I'd treat the "sticking" property of a pick as a form of entanglement, which would thus not be part of the attack. This does suggest that Distant Blow could be a popular enchantment on a pick, letting the wielder strike more rapidly in close or ranged combat.

On a side note, I do love the Movement College. So often overlooked, but so many great spells with adventuring applications.

Interesting. I hadn't thought of the only delivering blows angle.

It would be a terrible thing to overlook the Movement College. It has great spells.

Originally Posted by chandley

Given it specifically calls out that the blow is transmitted magically, and that other magical properties are not transmitted, Id say the pick cant stuck so long as its being used on the subject of the Distant Blow spell.

If that seems TOO abusive for some reason, give the spell ST 15 (Like Dancing Object) for purposes of pulling a pick out. If even that seems to generous, charge 1 FP for ST 2, 2FP for ST 7, 3 FP for ST 16, 4 FP for ST 32, for one second and let the mage roll against THAT ST. (Thats using the BL given by Distant Blow's prereq, Apportation). But that all seems excessive.

If it seems too abusive I'd just have the wielder either use their own strength or cancel the spell as they choose. After all the damage is determined by the wielders strength. The problem for most pick wielders isn't really "My pick is stuck and I don't know if I can get it out" it's "My pick always gets stuck but with a ready action I can generally unstick it" and getting rid of that action significantly improves their speed in attacking.