D&D General What spells should a god have?

[MechaTarrasque]

Gate, shapechange, mind blank, divine word, true seeing (if not an innate ability),

 

[Tonguez]

None, they should be given a list of powers and auras instead including use of any spell on their Domain list

 

[Maxperson]

Yes, the 2e books were pretty much any spell at-will. I am asking less about what has been done in the past and more about what iconic abilities should they have. For example, it makes sense for them to have command and geas at some point. And probably power word kill, true resurrection, and wish at some point as well.

I think that they only inherently need spells/abilities that would enable them to reach, communicate and see their followers and the mortal realm. Plane Shift, Teleport, some sort of Telepathy, visions, etc. The rest would depend on their portfolio/classes. I don't see Zeus having Power Word Kill for example, but Lightning and Chain Lightning are no problem. Hades WOULD have Power Word Kill and True Resurrection.

Command and Geas type ability would be better served by giving them some sort of rank and/or charisma based power to awe mortals with.

 

[Coroc]

Do you differ between god in true form and avatar? Because except for demigods the spellcasting rules only make sense for avatars. Even lesser gods can alter reality at will, the only thing hindering them to do so would be the intervention of some other god.

For avatars you could fit the spell selection at hand to match the gods portfolio. The higher the god's ranking (best refer to 2e material to determine that) the higher the level of those spells an avatar could cast at will.

 

[dave2008]

@FrogReaver - your list is pretty good but misses a few key elements:

Grant spell powers to others (i.e. mortal Clerics)
Be able to function on more than one plane/world at a time
Grant wishes (or miracles) to others
Fulfill wishes made (or miracles requested) by others

That is not what I am looking for though. I've got that covered in other area. I am just interested in what spells people think are iconic to deities.

 

[dave2008]

Any cleric spell related to healing - resurrection - restoration.
Scrying
Teleportation
Disintigrate
Meteor Swarm
Summoning spells (probably some not accessible to players)
Druid spells pertaining to nature
The strongest illusion spells
Spells that magically influence others
Counterspell
Dispel Magic
Levitate
Invisibility
Fly
Dimension Door
etc.


I don't really see gods having the minor defensive spells. I don't really see minor offensive spells being a thing either.

That is pretty close to the list (and concept) I was coming up with. Thank you for sharing

 

[dave2008]

If you’re looking to make a system where deities are playable – if you’re working off of BECMI – then I would recommend a fairly limited palette of “universal” magical powers, with more diverse and flavorful portfolio-specific elements for specific deities/immortals.

Yes, that is what I am looking for. These spells would be free spells. A god can cast any mortal spell by spending quintessence (power in BECMI, or prime in the Primal Order), but these typical spells can be cast at no cost.

Spells which bestow benefits on worshippers (bless, remove curse, break enchantment etc.); likewise curses to heap on those offending the deity. Perception-augmenting spells (detect x etc.); spells which allow the deity to perceive and interact at a distance with mortals (dreams, telepathy etc.); the ability to cause an effect at a distance – that one’s a bit trickier.

Yes, that is what I am think as well.

Are you using the Matter/Energy/Time/Thought sphere breakdown of the Immortals Rules?

Yes, but like the update rules (Wrath of the Immortals) I am not tying spells to a sphere (what I call Authority). Authority is more powerful and precious than magic / spells.

 

[dave2008]

None, they should be given a list of powers and auras instead including use of any spell on their Domain list

Gods (in my guidelines / rules) can cast any mortal spell, but at a cost. What I am working on is a list of free spells the can cast that are just iconic to the concept of gods. They will already have auras and a list of powers. These spells are really just ribbons that you say, oh ya a god should be able to do that.

 

[dave2008]

I think that they only inherently need spells/abilities that would enable them to reach, communicate and see their followers and the mortal realm. Plane Shift, Teleport, some sort of Telepathy, visions, etc.

That is basically what I am think too.

The rest would depend on their portfolio/classes. I don't see Zeus having Power Word Kill for example, but Lightning and Chain Lightning are no problem. Hades WOULD have Power Word Kill and True Resurrection.

I was kinda think the ability to Kill (with a word) and Resurrect mortals (to a limited extent) was something that should be available to all gods. But maybe I need to rethink that.

Command and Geas type ability would be better served by giving them some sort of rank and/or charisma based power to awe mortals with.

They have auras which can impose the Charmed, Frightened, or Dazed conditions (new condition). So I was planning on command and geas being part of the list. The seem very iconic and god-like to me.

 

[dave2008]

Do you differ between god in true form and avatar? Because except for demigods the spellcasting rules only make sense for avatars. Even lesser gods can alter reality at will, the only thing hindering them to do so would be the intervention of some other god.

I'm discussing the deities themselves, avatars and aspects are different. Similar to the Immortal Rules, gods in this update cannot alter reality at-will. They can alter reality but there is a cost.