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Proper use of enlarge/shrink spell
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:38 am
by AxeMental
This spell has always confused me a bit when it comes to casting it on living targets wearing gear.
My impression is that when this spell is cast on friend or foe, it works on the entire person (ie. not just a feature, say a persons head or leg) and it also works on the belongings carried (so when you shrink down your fellow PC to fit threw say a 2 foot opening all his gear shrinks at the same % as well). I don't get the impression that it can be cast on an object carried by or on the person (for instance, could an enemy fighters two handed sword be shrunk down to the size of a fork in his hands, could a suite of chain armor be made huge trapping the fighter within, as he stays the same size? etc.). Does the MU have the option to choose (shrinking a fighters plate squeezing him within before it falls away useless, or must he shrink both plate and man)?
Re: Proper use of enlarge/shrink spell
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 11:20 am
by darnizhaan
It works on the entire creature. It does not affect their possessions. The armor is assumed to fall away and not cause damage. If a person is reduced, they will not have clothes that fit.
It can be used on an object, including one in the possession of another person. In that case I would give a saving throw to the owner, but I can't see where that is BTB. It can be used on a thrown object such as a stone, but perhaps also an arrow. Imagine having the fighter fire an arrow and turning it into a ballista sized bolt just before it strikes?
Re: Proper use of enlarge/shrink spell
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 11:22 am
by darnizhaan
Note that the psionic discipline expansion will affect a person's possessions, but it may damage said possessions.
Re: Proper use of enlarge/shrink spell
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 1:08 pm
by AxeMental
Hmmm the Efreet on the DMG cover looks like it enlarged himself and its possessions (as if enlarge covers the entire person, the way invisibility works).

Plus, I can't picture a naked guy running around (giant or mouse sized). I'd at least give them cloths.
Re: Proper use of enlarge/shrink spell
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 1:54 pm
by darnizhaan
Well, the efreet can enlarge itself once per day. Of course, they are at the City of Brass and that efreet may be a huge noble, or it might be using an illusion.
Re: Proper use of enlarge/shrink spell
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:29 am
by francisca
darnizhaan wrote:It works on the entire creature. It does not affect their possessions. The armor is assumed to fall away and not cause damage. If a person is reduced, they will not have clothes that fit.
Also, it can mess up your armor:
DMG, page 44:
All garments and equipment worn by a subject of this spell should be considered to automatically drop off if held by straps or fasteners, otherwise to split away during growth, so it is not possible to “squeeze someone to death in their armor” by means of an enlarge. Material components possessed will not change size. Coats of mail, however, will be ruined if growth occurs while worn. Note that you can opt to make a target wearing objects an impossible task for an enlarge spell unless the character is actually touched so as to distinguish the creature from the objects.
Re: Proper use of enlarge/shrink spell
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 1:14 pm
by AxeMental
Well, that sums it up. I thought I looked in the DMG, apparently not.
