rainbow@ihuxe.UUCP (Rob Buchner) (10/03/83)
Rather than respond individually to various comments I've received on my solution, I'll discuss them all at once. As for controlling the spheres, obviously my thief will make no attempt at it because then and only then will they move toward me. As for having the spheres in the first place, remember the scenerio made us a high level party and allowed me to chose five items from amongst all we had. Admittedly I have never seen a party run around with one sphere much less two, but this is besides the point because I was allowed to chose any items from the whole gauntlet available in the DMG. Since I wont try to control the spheres, the main problem with my solution is the present location of the spheres(ie how far apart are they?). This question is impossible to answer. But I would tend to think its likely that they would be rather close together. From experience, Mu's are generally in the center of the party. So the two controlling the spheres will be next to each other. Then the next question is what are they doing with their spheres at the time of their demise. I would think trying to destroy the undead personally attacking them(remember they were drained to L0). So the spheres will be very close to each other. If worse comes to worse and I'm unlucky, like lets say they're 20 feet apart. Then I'd stand by one fairly close and throw the rod at the other(using my 18 dex which by the rules I am allowed to give myself since its my main stat). Quickly turn around and toss the second rod at the other sphere(which I cant miss due to my nearness). And then even more quickly disappear from the scene(fortunantly the amulet works instantly). Even now I still like my odds of success. Otherwise I'll blame the Mu's for their lack of foresight. (actually if I can get the spheres moving toward me at their normally accelerated pace if I fail to control them, it would be advantageous to do so during my surprise round to improve on the odds of hitting them if they're far away. Range for initial attempt to contol is 40 feet.) As for magic resistance applying to the explosions, this is ridiculous. Would magic resistance apply if acid was dumped on top of your head? How about if you were immersed in lava? What about being hit by some object(weapon or not)? How about if someone developed a hand grenade or a stick of dynamite? What about poison? I cant believe anyone saying magic resistance should apply in these cases, so it shouldnt apply to my nonmagical effect(explosion). Its even questionable whether or not the spheres are magical devices in the first place. So I must stand firm on my solution until proven otherwise.
CSvax:Pucc-H:Physics:els@pur-ee.UUCP (10/12/83)
Along this line, you don't even really need to be a thief! Anyone can try
to control the spheres and fail, in fact I'd prefer to fail and would want the
best possible chance of failing. The reason follows:
a) Stand between spheres, equidistant from each.
b) Plant staves in ground on either side of you.
c) Attempt (and fail) to control the spheres.
d) At last second, simultaneously taunt Orcus and zap out of there!
els[Eric Strobel]
pur-ee!Physics:els