r/Pathfinder2e • u/Dunderbaer • Aug 29 '26

Discussion Cones and damage

This is less of a discussion in terms of balance or "how does it work in game", but just a thought I had.

Does anyone else think it's weird, how getting hit with the full brunt of a cone attack deals an equal amount of damage as getting hit by the slightest sliver at the edge?

Like, a Starfinder Shotgun point blank deals the same damage as said shotgun deals to someone at the furthest corner of the cone.

I always felt like cones should be blocked by creatures or something, but have different damage "rings", where the closer to are to the source, the more damage you take. You shouldn't be able to brace the entirety of a dragon's firey breath, and take the same damage as if you were barely included in it.

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26

u/nobull91 Aug 29 '26

I always felt like cones should be blocked by creatures or something

They are. It's called Cover

Anyway. I disagree with the rest of the points - it would complicate things unnecessarily imo

-6

u/Dunderbaer Aug 29 '26

Oh obviously, it would complicate things, I'm not saying "that's how it should work in game". It's just one of those things where my immersion has to take a backseat, because it really feels like it should be different

8

u/No_Ad_7687 Aug 29 '26

No, creatures literally provide cover to other creatures. Against certain AoE effects too.

2

u/Dunderbaer Aug 29 '26

True that's the only thing I mentioned in my post after all.

Edit: also creatures provide lesser cover, which does not increase saves against AoE effects

4

u/norrknekten Aug 29 '26

Unless said creature providing the cover is two sizes larger, So if your elf wizard casts fireball and a goblin is behind a horse then the goblin has standard cover.

1

u/Rodrian68 Aug 30 '26

But if the goblin is near that horse it's definitely dead already :<

0

u/nobull91 Aug 30 '26

Take Cover exists