Area of Effects

Effects that target an area in Gestalt come in several varieties. All areas of effect target squares, objects, or creatures within those squares (Not grid coordinates/the intersection of squares). If a creature or object occupies multiple squares, select a square as close to the center of the occupied squares as possible. Unless otherwise specified, an adjacent space of your choice is the source of an effect you generate; this is called the “point of origin”.

Typically, areas of effect are blocked by solid objects, such as walls.

Single target effects do not trigger when used in conjunction with areas of effect.

A “burst” effect affects all valid targets that you can draw a line of the specified length (or shorter) to. The origin space is included in the length of the line.

• Example: If I have a 10-foot burst effect that affects all creatures I can draw a 10 foot line to (or less) from the point of origin.
• Radius: This is effectively the radius of a circle centered on the point of origin.

Because we count the number of squares on a grid (and aren’t using something cool like a hex map) without any concern if something is diagonal, “circle” effects look like squares. The same is true for spheres and cubes (as they are 3D versions of circles and squares). Because it could be a square or a circle we call it a “burst”. This is an oddity brought on by a desire to simplify other areas of the game. Embrace it.

Cones are equilateral triangles that contain a certain number of total squares listed below. To the best of your ability (subject to GMs approval) create a triangle whose point of origin is adjacent to you.

• 15 feet: 9 squares
• 30 feet: 36 squares
• 60 feet: 144 squares

A line is a straight line with its point of origin in a square adjacent to you.

Sometimes other shapes are mentioned. For example: disintegrate destroys a 10 foot cube of material. For such oddities use your best judgment given the rules above.

Most actions require that you have a clear path to both detect and effect something. Your ability to perceive something is called your “line of sight”, even if it’s not strictly “sight” (for example; if you have a special sense that lets you pinpoint a creature's location, you have line of sight). Your ability to affect something is called your “line of effect”. To determine your line of effect, draw a line from you to your target and if it is blocked by anything, you do not have a line of effect to the target.

Certain abilities do not require one or the other. For example, to communicate with someone mentally across the continent a psychic would not need a line of sight or effect to their target so long as they could picture them in their mind. An intangible arrow that can pass through things might not require you to have a strictly physical line of effect to the target (as it could just pass through physical barriers) but would still require you to have line of sight to aim the arrow.