How exactly does the selective spell metamagic work?

[StarcraftJunkie]

So the description of the feat (and when applying it to a spell in your spellbook) says it applies to a spell that affects an area and has an instantaneous duration, allowing you to exempt a number of creatures equal to your relevant spellcasting ability mod from the effects of the spell. That's super clear in the spells it says it's for - fireball, for example, being an area and instantaneous spell. You cast the spell, the spell happens, and you pick X number of characters to not be hit by the spell (in practice, it looks like the game doesn't actually let you pick, and just selects party members or friendly units in the AOE for you, but I haven't tested it too much). However, the game lets you apply the metamagic feat to a lot of spells that don't really qualify - cloudkill, for example. Cloudkill has a duration of 1 minute/level. Does it just apply to the first "hit" when the spell is cast? And then any characters in the cloud better beat it out of the cloud on their next turn? Or are they immune for the duration? If it's just for the first hit, is it kind of a catch 22 where they'll get hit on their next round when they move to leave the cloud? Etc.

Also, it's applicable to at least one spell where it seems like it would be useless, at least as it functions in the game - fire snake. Fire snake already ignores friendly units.

Edit: Also, also (Also squared? Also part two?), it can be applied to some genuinely confusing spells, like see invisibility, communal. Even if one wanted to exempt party members from this beneficial spell, it's not instantaneous.

Anyone played around with the feat enough to know how it operates?

[RandomDude2018]

The description is a lie. It works with spells like Sirocco or Grease (the last time i checked). You don't get to select who is excluded from the effects of the spell. When you use it all your party members are excluded by default.

[StarcraftJunkie]

Thanks!

[IgnatiusJ.Reilly]

While presently it might work with non-instantaneous spells, like web or grease, that is most certainly a bug. And will most likely be fixed, eventually.

[Kel'Ithra]

Should work with anything and everything that is an AoE/Line spell that targets both friendly and enemy. At least that's how it's working right now, and likely won't be patched, Owlcat do not have the best track reccord with patches IMO. There's some story critical stuff they still haven't patched among a bunch of other issues that got worst. So for now it affects anything and everything, could be intentional also.

[FUGGGGG :DDDDDDD]

Originally posted by IgnatiusJ.Reilly:

While presently it might work with non-instantaneous spells, like web or grease, that is most certainly a bug. And will most likely be fixed, eventually.

Future reporting in, never fixed and they've released the final DLC.

It doesnt make much sense for them to curb a spell effect that makes their game function with the real time with pause mode. Otherwise you would be at the mercy of NPC pathfinding for your own party. Just try casting a pit without selective and watch your tanks run into it after a mob that's already inside. Also its just fun and the game has enough difficulty to make up for it (as long as you're playing on an appropriate mode for your skill level.)
Glad it was never fixed as is most of the community.

[reidj062]

I can attest it does not work with pit spells. Found that out the hard way.