little questions

[Theodoran]

Hello,

I have some questions:

1. I ask me if edge resistance protect from claws and if blunt resistance protect from unarmed attacks?
2. Is there a deviation when I fail with a spell of polar ray?
3. With fire ball, must I target one square (def 15) or person and hit automatically all the targets in the area (deviation if I fail)? Or, make the attack check against each target in th area (what for deviation in this case)?
4. For extraordinary attacks with an area (cone, aura,...), must I make an attack check?
5. A sphere of 30fts is 30fts of radius or diameter?
6. For a cube of 30fts, 30fts is the edge of the cube?

Thank you for all your answers always interesting

[Krensky]

1) Up to the GM.
2) Technically, yes and it would change the starting point of the line. I wouldn't have spells like polar ray with a range of personal deviate though, it's sorta wonky.
3) Neither. If you're targeting a square, the DC you need to beat is 22 (the DC for a third level spell). If you're targeting an object or character, the DC is 22 or the target's Defense whichever is higher. Typically the Spellcasting DC will be higher then the Defense.
4) Yes.
5) Radius
6) Tecnically, as written, it's volume. That said, the only spells I see with a cube area are the Illusory Image chain, so I think the intent, based on natural language is that it's a cube 30 feet by 30 feet, by 30 feet. It's easier to adjudicate too.

[Sletchman]

2) Technically, yes and it would change the starting point of the line. I wouldn't have spells like polar ray with a range of personal deviate though, it's sorta wonky.

I agree with all your answers Krensky, I'd just like to point out that in this case I'd personally rule that the direction the ray fires off in is what deviates - I'd keep same starting point (because like you mentioned, it's sorta wonky otherwise).

[Big_Jim]

2. with a failure the spell is not cast at all. No deviation, as there is no spell effect to deviate.

[Sletchman]

2. with a failure the spell is not cast at all. No deviation, as there is no spell effect to deviate.

The book seem to indicate otherwise - it says that ranged spell attacks deviate with a miss, not that they fail to be cast?  (Page 112 - Under "Attack Spells")

[Krensky]

If you cast Fireball I at someting with a Defense of 25 and you roll a Spellcasting check of 22 the Fireball deviates. If you roll a 19 the spell fizzles.

Since the earliest time a NPC's Defense will exceed 22 is Defense X at TL 13, typically the spell will fizzle rather than miss and deviate.

[Sletchman]

If you cast Fireball I at someting with a Defense of 25 and you roll a Spellcasting check of 22 the Fireball deviates. If you roll a 19 the spell fizzles.

Since the earliest time a NPC's Defense will exceed 22 is Defense X at TL 13, typically the spell will fizzle rather than miss and deviate.

For some reason I read the Theodoran's post of "fail with a spell of polar ray" as "pass the spell DC, but miss the target".  For the life of me I have no idea why/how...

Polar Ray (and other personal range attack spells) are a weird case when it comes to deviation though, so I still stand by my suggestion that what deviates is the direction the ray fires, rather then where it comes from - it's probably not a super common occurance (how many attacks spells have a personal range?  Like 2 or 3?) which is probably why it wasn't specifically adressed in the attack spells text.

[Krensky]

And for some reason, I thought 2 was the fireball question. Yes, if you roll between spell dc and the targets defense, it deviates. In play I'd probably just roll the direction since the rules are silent on the distance. If I bother to roll deviation at all.

[Deral]

If you cast Fireball I at someting with a Defense of 25 and you roll a Spellcasting check of 22 the Fireball deviates. If you roll a 19 the spell fizzles.

Since the earliest time a NPC's Defense will exceed 22 is Defense X at TL 13, typically the spell will fizzle rather than miss and deviate.

You're right on the actual part that matters, but I just wanted to be a jerk and chime in to say that's a 32 defense, really it's reasonably that TL 4 Defense X could have a 22, without a Dex or size modifier they have a 19.

[Krensky]

Gah.

I blame the frog. I use the NPC generator almost exclusively, so I somehow forgot that the table's the bonus, not the final value.