What exactly is a 'Touch'?

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In a great many spell descriptions, the book/s describe quite a few spells with having the range of 'Touch'.

Now, my question is this, what exactly is a 'Touch Attack', do you actually have to touch them with your hands? In the case of Lay On Hands it's quite obvious that you use your hands.
This came up in my game the other day;
My unarmed/disarmed Cleric wants to cast Cause X Wounds, can he do it say, kicking someone? Or headbutting someone?
If it is in fact only 'Touch Attack is with your hand', could you do it whilst making a punch?

I of course understand that this would make Cleric/Monks very poweful. With their unarmed attack bonus plus a Cause X Wounds on top of that...But, that's not why I'm asking. My character is a pure cleric rest assured.

~ Cheesegear

 

You touch you opponent with your body or an extension of your body, such as a familiar. It doesn't have to be with your hands.

 

Okay, seems like I was right then. Hooray!

 

Edit whole message:

If you by any chance decide to go for a Cleric/Monk, pick up some Sacred Fist prestige class levels. Those folks are born to make magical touch attacks.
You can find this Prestige Class in Complete Divine.

 

Touch attack can be near anything that can be "loosely" described as an attack. Example of one of the funny ones to ask DM about is Sucubusses and their life draining abilities.

 

What about some spells forcing wizards to make "ranged" touch attacks?

 

That's more of a mind-focus thing, I suppose. That the wizard concentrates well enough to 'guide' the spell to the right spot. He doesn't need hands or feet or elbows to do that, except for the somatic component, I'd say. Also, if i.e. a "ray springs from your pointing finger" (disintegrate spell), you better point in the right direction.

 

Touch attacks (both ranged and melee) bypasses natural armor, armor, shield etc. Only dexterity and dodge bonuses aply.

if someone tries to hit you with a shocking grasp while you are in a platemail, it doesn't take a genious to figure out that if he hits you or the armor makes little difference. Thus you have to avoid the hit altogether.

 

Add deflection bonus to that and I will agree.
No armor, shield or natural armor bonuses. Size, dexterity (including dodge) and deflection bonus are applied normally.

What about magic spells that add to a person's defense? Shield of Faith is a deflection bonus, so that would still add to armor class against touch attacks.
But what about Shiel or Mage Armor. It only sais it gives a bonus to your shield bonus or armor class, but both are Force effects, what always struck me as an undefined, untouchable disk or aura or so...

[ January 17, 2007, 23:35: Message edited by: Master of Nuhn ]