Props to you for writing this stellar guide! I have great respect for your comparative analysis; it is both helpful and thought-provoking.
Question about “Bestow Curse”:
1. I completely agree that walking into melee as a wizard is categorically unwise, but do you think this spell could be viable if cast at range via “Find Familiar”?
2. I really love the versatility and creative potential of this spell: “At the DM’s option, you may choose an alternative curse effect, but it should be no more powerful than those described above. The DM has final say on such a curse’s effect.”
This seems fun as well as situationally effective. Please read some of my examples and let me know what you think:
• You could make a troll’s arm go limp, preventing it from using its big bad +3 greatsword.
• You could make that nasty crime lord despise the nearest creature—compelling it to attack one of its allies or perhaps ruining the alliance it was about to make with the evil sorcerer.
• You could shake the hand of an the evil general of a city from which all arcane practitioners are irrevocably banished; then, you could make him uncontrollably cast prestidigitation on random objects for the duration (because you cursed him when you shook his hand).
I'm struggling to come up with more creative uses, but I'm sure there are plenty. The possibilities are theoretically endless! Ultimately, though, this is only as good as the caster’s imagination and the DM allow it to be.
I was expecting maybe an orange or purple rating for this spell. I would really like to know your thoughts, though (regarding the synergy with “Find Familiar” as well as the creative potential). I respect your opinion. I may very well be putting too much weight on this spell’s versatility; perhaps there are other spells that can accomplish what I may want to with “Bestow Curse.”
Orange? Purple? Still Red? Let me know!
