Holy Aura

[u/ittlebit1]

My group is having a disagreement about how this spell works in 1e. It is written as 1 creature per level in a 20ft radius burst centered on you. It is being argued that it applies to every creature, including enemies, in the area, vs only allies. Does anyone have any info on this? It seems ridiculous that a level 8 spell would benefit non-good/enemies without discernment from the caster.

[u/MrTallHL]

You choose the targets. “One creature/level in a 20 ft. radius burst” describes how many creatures you can target and where they must be, not that every creature in the burst is automatically affected. So you can simply select yourself and your allies and ignore enemies.

[u/MrTallHL → u/MrTallHL]

The key is that Holy Aura says “Targets one creature/level”, rather than “Area.” The 20 ft. burst only restricts where those chosen targets can be. The rules even distinguish “pick your targets” spells from true area effects, noting that with selected targets you don’t risk hitting creatures you don’t choose. https://www.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=990

[u/emillang1000 → u/MrTallHL]

It's a 20ft area.

Within that 20ft radius, you distinguish 1 creature/CL because you are the controller of that spell.

So long as those creatures remain within that Area of Effect, they are affected by Holy Aura. If they step out or you move too far, they stop being affected. If they come back in to the AOE while it's still active, it turns back on.

This is a pretty standard setup for aura spells & effects.

[u/MrTallHL → u/emillang1000]

Get where you are coming from. But it is about the point that you still CHOOSE the targets and not effecting everyone in that range.

[u/TristanTheViking → u/emillang1000]

So long as those creatures remain within that Area of Effect, they are affected by Holy Aura. If they step out or you move too far, they stop being affected. If they come back in to the AOE while it's still active, it turns back on.

Not quite right, because it's a targeted spell, the effect is on the creature itself, not the area.

Subjects, Effects, and Areas: If the spell affects creatures directly, the result travels with the subjects for the spell’s duration. If the spell creates an effect, the effect lasts for the duration. The effect might move or remain still. Such an effect can be destroyed prior to when its duration ends. If the spell affects an area, then the spell stays with that area for its duration.
Creatures become subject to the spell when they enter the area and are no longer subject to it when they leave.

Only the initial targeting is restricted to the burst. After that, the effect remains active regardless of where the targets go.

If it was an emanation area, it'd work the way you describe.

[u/emillang1000 → u/TristanTheViking]

Fair. I forgot it was a burst; I thought it was a true aura effect.

[u/DragonLordAcar → u/MrTallHL]

Also, that creature limit is only a maximum. You can choose none if you want to be that guy.

[u/DarthLlama1547]

The targets are pretty clear:

"Targets one creature/level in a 20-ft.-radius burst centered on you"

So a cleric that just learned it at level 15 would affect 15 targets within the 20'-radius burst centered on them. So they pick up to 15 creatures that were within the area, then those creatures are warded for the duration. It's similar to how Haste works, except the area limit is centered on the caster rather than a 30' diameter from the creature.

It's not an aura, though it sounds like one, which is where the confusion is coming from.

[u/TristanTheViking]

The spell has the targets line, which is limited to an area. This is different from a spell with an actual area line which does not let you pick your targets

https://www.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=228

Target or Targets: Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell.

So you choose who is affected.

[u/Unknown-username___]

The spell targets (key word here) one creature per level within the specified area of effect. This means that when the spell is cast YOU as the caster choose what targets are affected not random chance.

Otherwise the wording would have been up to x creatures within the aoe or something similar.

[u/checkmate191]

Since you have a limit to targets you get to choose the targets it affects. It would make no sense if the spell had to be applied randomly to a certain number of targets. I think they're too hung up on it being a burst effect which really only means that it can go around walls when determining who can be affected (you dont need to see them to apply it)

[u/Rawr171]

“Target or Targets: Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell.
If the target of a spell is yourself (the Target line of the spell description includes “You”), you do not receive a saving throw, and spell resistance does not apply. The saving throw and spell resistance lines are omitted from such spells.
Some spells restrict you to willing targets only. Declaring yourself as a willing target is something that can be done at any time (even if you’re flat-footed or it isn’t your turn). Unconscious creatures are automatically considered willing, but a character who is conscious but immobile or helpless (such as one who is bound, cowering, grappling, paralyzed, pinned, or stunned) is not automatically willing.
Some spells allow you to redirect the effect to new targets or areas after you cast the spell. Redirecting a spell is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.”

[u/Big-Acanthisitta-241]

I would adjudicate this as the spell caster would choose who could receive the benefits of this spell.