D&D 5E Let's list the "broken" spells

[Dausuul]

Ug, what a shame, I'd really hope they'd have all that sorted out.

I'm sure I can think of ways to house rule down most of the offenders though. The real question is weither it would be easier to HR 4e or 5e.

That depends on what you feel in 4E needs house ruling.

For me, fixing a few spells is much easier than all the changes I'd have to make to 4E to bring it to where I want it. Hell, if I don't feel like dealing with a particular spell, I can just ban it.

 

[Shadowdweller00]

Wall of Force and Line of Effect

Uhh...it's actually explicitly stated in the rules that spells can't be cast through total cover, such as is provided by a Wall of Force. So, no, you can't set up a Wall of Force and then safely blast things through it. This doesn't help with the barred version of forcecage (which even requires a saving throw to teleport out of), but..

 

[kerbarian]

After playing more, I'm starting to change my mind on polymorph. Concentration is really tough unless you take War Caster AND Resilient (Con). Even with War Caster any degree of focus fire and you can't maintain the polymorphed beast form for more than 2-3 rounds (on average). The druid has a lower CR but doesn't have to worry about concentration. I'm no longer seeing at a prime offender in the overpowered spell category.

Yeah, I think Polymorph is the least bad of the bunch -- potentially overpowered but not game-breaking. According to Mouseferatu's monster sorter, beasts top out at CR 8, everything above CR 2 is size huge, and nothing above CR 1 can fly.

When you get Polymorph at level 7, it's amazing, but the beast forms are big and awkward and concentration is definitely an issue. At higher levels, it doesn't get any stronger.

If we had errata for Wall of Force, Contagion, and Forcecage (in that order), I'd be reasonably happy. True Polymorph definitely has issues, but I care much less about 9th-level spells.

 

[yakuba]

That depends on what you feel in 4E needs house ruling.

For me, fixing a few spells is much easier than all the changes I'd have to make to 4E to bring it to where I want it. Hell, if I don't feel like dealing with a particular spell, I can just ban it.

C'mon man, don't do that to this thread. The only relevant topics would be what spells or powers would need editing in 4e to prevent game breakage, not yet another why edition x.xx isn't cool for me threadjack.

 

[keterys]

Is it certain that contagion doesn't require 3 failed saves before the disease hindrances kick in? I don't have it in front of me, but typical disease mechanics for d20 systems would be that you are infected/afflicted with a disease, then after its incubation time suffer the full symptoms. Given the week duration and 3 failed saves system, it is logical that contagion works that way. It even compares well to Flesh to Stone.

Cause as far as I can tell, comparing to everything else in the system, that spell cannot mean that you are (stunned or whatever) for 3+ rounds straight, saves need not apply.

 

[Shadowdweller00]

Is it certain that contagion doesn't require 3 failed saves before the disease hindrances kick in? I don't have it in front of me, but typical disease mechanics for d20 systems would be that you are infected/afflicted with a disease, then after its incubation time suffer the full symptoms. Given the week duration and 3 failed saves system, it is logical that contagion works that way. It even compares well to Flesh to Stone.

Cause as far as I can tell, comparing to everything else in the system, that spell cannot mean that you are (stunned or whatever) for 3+ rounds straight, saves need not apply.

I tend to think that the most obvious reading of the spell seems to indicate that the effects DO apply immediately. Although 1) the spell requires a successful melee attack and 2) requires that the subject take damage before any sort of stunning occurs. We don't really have the disease mechanics yet though so who knows? It may be, for example, that a successful save resists the effects until the next save most be made. Regardless, the disease that causes potential stunning - slimy doom - imposes disadvantage on Con saves such as those made to resist the spell, so...the spell is pretty nasty at the very least.

 

[Branduil]

After playing more, I'm starting to change my mind on polymorph. Concentration is really tough unless you take War Caster AND Resilient (Con). Even with War Caster any degree of focus fire and you can't maintain the polymorphed beast form for more than 2-3 rounds (on average). The druid has a lower CR but doesn't have to worry about concentration. I'm no longer seeing at a prime offender in the overpowered spell category.

That's only if you cast it in the middle of a fight. Cast it at the beginning of the day, maintain concentration for 1 hour(automatic if no one is attacking you), and become a Red Dragon for as long as you want.

 

[jadrax]

That's only if you cast it in the middle of a fight. Cast it at the beginning of the day, maintain concentration for 1 hour(automatic if no one is attacking you), and become a Red Dragon for as long as you want.

Assuming 'as long as you want' means forever, because its not clear there is anyway of reversing it.

 

[Psikerlord#]

On reflection i agree the stunning effect on contagion is probably broken, as even legendary creatures could be screwed by it. Forcecage is fine, 1500 gp per cast and you csn range attack. Wall of force doesnt kill anything, just puts it off till later. Polymorphic is concentration.

 

[yakuba]

That's only if you cast it in the middle of a fight. Cast it at the beginning of the day, maintain concentration for 1 hour(automatic if no one is attacking you), and become a Red Dragon for as long as you want.

Polymorph only allows you to take the form of a beast. This also limits you to CR8 according to kerbarian