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Post by DM Exitium on Dec 6, 2016 23:12:55 GMT
Would you allow your players to use the Thorn Whip cantrip to essentially "Spider Man" swing from chandeliers and tree branches? Because I'm allowing a PC to do it with Acrobatics checks and they typically turn out fine. Some of the other players are wondering if this is too OP an ability. I argued that its allowable as its a spell and takes their action that turn. Thoughts?
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Post by joatmoniac on Dec 7, 2016 19:24:05 GMT
When you say "Spider Man" do you mean that they are using it as a means of conveyance? I would think that that wouldn't work as the limitations of how often a person could cast, even a cantrips, would get in the way.
If you are talking just about pulling towards instead of moving using it, more like Link using a hookshot, then I would say yes. However, a cantrip gaining too much utility is a risky thing. I would also think about the damage that the whip would do and the weight put into the object from the character and their pull. I would hate to get too mechanical to make it feel more accurate. Another option though is an Athletics check to be able to pull themselves as it is no joke to do so. Limiting the use to a now and again situation is your best bet to keep both side happy.
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Post by dmxtrordinari on Dec 8, 2016 7:27:03 GMT
Within the context of the spell I don't think that's the intention though if they're using thorn whip on a solid object less breakable then a chandelier/tree branch, perhaps wooden support beams ect, I'd probably allow it. One thing I do with cantrips, though it doesn't come up often, is if a PC wants to use their cantrip in a more powerful fashion then the spell text indicates I'll allow them to do so at the cost of usually a 1st level spell slot. For instance I had a lightning Sorcerer (the one from SCAG I believe) who wanted to use Gust over and over again to propel their land ship. I was fine with this and simply had him burn 1st level spell slots based on how far they traveled.
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Post by DM Exitium on Dec 8, 2016 11:31:31 GMT
Well, the player using it has mostly used it after jumping or falling and I make the checks fairly difficult but all Dex based. He's a gnome ranger/rogue so he's got skills but not strength. He rarely uses it as a being static and pulling himself to swing. He's mostly using it to tweak his trajectory and get a few extra feet of movement or changes in direction when he already has momentum or might take falling damage. I'll still make him take some falling damage for straining his arms or shoulders depending on how far he falls before using the whip. He picked up the cantrip from a feat I believe.
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Post by dmsam on Dec 8, 2016 15:43:11 GMT
Thorn Whip: You create a long, vine-like whip covered in thorns that lashes out at your command toward a creature in range. Make a melee spell attack against the target. If the attack hits, the creature takes 1d6 piercing damage, and if the creature is Large or smaller, you pull the creature up to 10 feet closer to you.
If you want to reduce the abuse potential, you can always have the vine "spawn" at the targeted location, at which point the player has to make an attack on himself, take 1d6 piercing damage, and be pulled 10 feet towards his desired destination.
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Post by DM Exitium on Dec 8, 2016 16:07:14 GMT
... If you want to reduce the abuse potential, you can always have the vine "spawn" at the targeted location, at which point the player has to make an attack on himself, take 1d6 piercing damage, and be pulled 10 feet towards his desired destination. That is an interesting take on that. Perhaps that is how I will use it such that he won't abuse it. |
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SouldiamondDM
Squire
Stay safe, don't talk to strangers, don't do drugs, only you can prevent forest fires, etc.
Posts: 41 
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Post by SouldiamondDM on Dec 21, 2016 2:08:16 GMT
I agree with Sam. The way I've imagined Thorn Whip is coming out of the character's hand or focus, and Spiderman is always shown gripping his webs when swinging. He pulls himself through the air, if you get what I'm saying. You'd need a good grip on the thorn whip to swing from it, and seeing as it's covered in thorns, that could be painful.
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