Multiple effects of the same kind with different duration in spells

[Salk]

Hello!

I have been wondering why in spells like Confusion or Hopelessness we have a number of Spell Abilities (for the latter 13) that trigger the same series of effects that only differ in duration.

 

I am sorry my question will surely sound pretty silly but why does that happen? Do they stack?

 

Thanks!

[kreso]

Maybe different levels? Check minimum level field.

[lynx]

Yep. Chromatic orb is the canonical example.

[CamDawg]

Hello!

 

I have been wondering why in spells like Confusion or Hopelessness we have a number of Spell Abilities (for the latter 13) that trigger the same series of effects that only differ in duration.

 

I am sorry my question will surely sound pretty silly but why does that happen? Do they stack?

 

Thanks!

When you cast a spell, the engine finds the appropriate header (based on the minimum level in the header) and only uses those sets of effects for that casting of the spell. As you noted, typically it's for duration--spells which have a duration of that depends on the cast level (e.g. one round/level) will need a header for every level that the spell is castable.