Pathfinder: Bouncing Spell Feat

[Harold Groot]

In the Advanced Players Guide (p.151) the Bouncing Spell metamagic
feat says "Whenever a bouncing spell targeting a single creature had
no effect on its intended target (whether due to spell resistance or a
successful saving throw) you may...."

A more conservative reading would say that ONLY spell resistance or
saving throws can trigger this feat. A more liberal reading would say
that ANYTHING that caused the spell to have no effect (including, for
example, a missed attack roll) could trigger it.

What do you guys think? Either way, it could have been worded more
clearly.

[Jim Davies]

On the grave of que...@infionline.net (Harold Groot) is inscribed:

IMHO, a missed attack would not trigger it. As 99% of attack spells
are touch or ranged touch, contact is sufficient. And if there's no
contact, there's nothing to bounce off.

Immunity and resistance probably would qualify, but again it's
variable. Ablative resistances like stoneskin count as the spell
having effect, but total immunity (eg Shield vs Magic Missile) lets it
bounce.

Yes, it could have been clearer. Try the PF boards for more answers.

--
Jim or Sarah Davies, but probably Jim

D&D and Star Fleet Battles stuff on http://www.aaargh.org

There is no God. But there is pudding!

[tussock]

Targeting is a term of art, it's the "Target(s):" line on the spell
description. Ray spells are not targeted spells, they're "Effect:" spells.
Touch spells will target the creature touched, but if you didn't touch them
they're not the target and the spell is still in hand, so can't bounce.

They shouldn't have said "its intended target", but rather "the target".

--
tussock

[Loren Pechtel]

I would not count a failed attack roll--the spell doens't hit the
creature at all to bounce.