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[UristMcDwarf]

My question is simple.
Cones, Bursts, how do they work?
How do I calculate the exact squares that a cone or burst spell effects?
Is there some tool, template or formula that I have to use?
Any help appreciated.

[MrWiggles]

There should be cone or burst template for inside the player hand book and inside the dmg.

[UristMcDwarf]

There should be cone or burst template for inside the player hand book and inside the dmg.

They give a few examples, but I'm not able to draw any formulas or strategy to making one.

[MrWiggles]

Its as wide as it is long.

So a cone of 10ft would be

   O
  OO

60ft would be
0
00
000
0000
00000
000000
0000000
00000000
000000000
0000000000
00000000000
000000000000

[IronyOwl]

I thought cones were quarter-circles?

Not that I ever used them myself...

[UristMcDwarf]

Its as wide as it is long.

So a cone of 10ft would be

   O
  OO

60ft would be
0
00
000
0000
00000
000000
0000000
00000000
000000000
0000000000
00000000000
000000000000

What about ones that aren't diagonal?

[MrWiggles]

The area of a triangle.

Just remember that dangles are counted as a full square for dnd.

[UristMcDwarf]

The area of a triangle.

Just remember that dangles are counted as a full square for dnd.

I dunno man... it's complicated!

What about bursts?

[khantin]

this is for pathfinder, but should apply to 3.5 either way http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/area-effect-diagrams

[UristMcDwarf]

Look, these templates are great, but I need to find a way to find the AoE for any spell I might cast.

[Sirian]

A burst is usually a sphere centered around the point of impact (unless specified otherwise). It doesnt go around corners like an emanation would (for example, a fireball is a burst and a poison cloud is an emanation).
A cone is a quarter-circle, starting from any corner of your character square, away from you in the direction you choose. It doesnt go around corners either.

source : www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/MagicOverview.rtf under "Aiming a spelll / area".

So i guess you can cut a quarter circle out of paper and use that.

Also you can check http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35 it has all the reference documents.

This was brought to you by a google search ("dnd 3.5 rules") and about a minute of clicking and reading :p

[UristMcDwarf]

Does no one understand me? How to I measure the area of effect for a spell? Do I use a protractor or a compass, ruler? Or is there some math formula?

[miauw62]

Google?

[fenrif]

I have no idea what the problem is. The area of effect for a spell should be listed in spell description? It'll be listed in feet I think? So if you're playing with a grid map just say that each grid if 5 feet and work from there, if no grid map then just get your DM to judge it.

If you're DMing, and you aren't playing with a grid map, then you aren't going to get super accurate distance measuring anyway, so just fudge it. Give players aproximate distances for things based on your descriptions of the scene and work from there. "The orcs are in a tower that's about 100 feet away, there is a warg running towards the party's wizard, it's 80 feet away and running full speed." Etc.

[Sirian]

Well if you're playing with a tabletop grid, as i said you can cut a 1/4 circle out of paper and use that, but i guess you can also use a compass and a protractor, it's really just a matter of drawing a quarter circle... As for distances, fenrif already covered it.