Color Spray rules confused???

[Blood axe]

Color Spray poses a small problem. The wording on the spell makes no sense- read it.
p.50 AEC

" A total creature HD equal to the casters level may be effected."

Then for effects it has:
" HD3 or greater than casters: creature stunned 1 round"

If it only effects a total of HD equal to the casters level, how can it effect creatures of higher HD than the casters level???

Has this been cleared up anywhere??

[Eradico Pravus]

Color Spray poses a small problem. The wording on the spell makes no sense- read it.
p.50 AEC

" A total creature HD equal to the casters level may be effected."

Hmm.... that's a strange sentence in light of the rest of the spell description. I read the spell as "causing 1d6 creatures to become" stunned/blinded/unconscious. How the target is affected is dependent upon their HD. I assumed that *always* 1-6 targets (man-sized) could be caught within the spray regardless of level. But the line you quoted above gives me pause.

[Blood axe]

If you read the rules on page 50 AEC you will see what I mean- they contradict each other.

If i cant get a solid ruling- I can come up with something. It is only a Level 1 spell.

[Blood axe]

The Players Handbook (3rd? I think) doesnt have the "total HD equal to casters level" part. It just effects nearest 1-6 creatures.

HD 1-2 = unconcious 2-8 rounds, then blinded 1-4 rounds, then stunned 1 round
HD 3-4 = blinded 1-4 rounds then stunned 1 round
HD 5+ = stunned 1 round

Stunned = cant act, loses DEX bonus to AC, and enemies get +2 hit

Still pretty useful for a Level 1 spell.

[kibosh]

In AD&D it looks like creatures with HD up to the Illusionist’s level were automatically affected, where as creatures with HD greater than the Illusionist’s level were allowed a saving throw vs. spells.

So 1d6 creatures are ‘targeted’
HD <= level are auto affected
HD > level get a save

Something might have just been lost in the translation to LL AEC.

[Blood axe]

Castles & Crusades Players book has:

effects 1-4 creatures + 1/level

HD 1-2 = unconcious 2-8 rounds
HD 3-4 = blinded 1-4 rounds
HD 5+ = stunned 1 round

Again, no "total HD equal to casters level" part.

[Blood axe]

In AD&D it looks like creatures with HD up to the Illusionist’s level were automatically affected, where as creatures with HD greater than the Illusionist’s level were allowed a saving throw vs. spells.

So 1d6 creatures are ‘targeted’
HD <= level are auto affected
HD > level get a save

Something might have just been lost in the translation to LL AEC.

Hmmmm.... that could certainly be true. I allow a save even vs. the infamous SLEEP spell. It is a Level 1 spell and is cast against low HD creatures most of the time anyway- so their saves arent that great.