D&D General What spells should a god have?

[Shardstone]

The entire Cleric Spell list, plus all their domain spells, with unlimited spell slots.

 

[dave2008]

The entire Cleric Spell list, plus all their domain spells, with unlimited spell slots.

I get you, but that is not the question I am asking. I am not asking what gods can do, but what spells make you think: "yep, a god should be able to do that" I am looking for what what you think are iconic divine abilities as manifested in the 5e spell list.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I would also suggest that each god be able to ignore concentration on one spell (it would be specific for each god, like darkness for Zehir, and I can see an effective "mass hex" or "mass hunters mark" being pretty popular). If they can spam a concentration spell that might freak the party's casters out. Alternatively or maybe in conjunction with this, give each god a spell with a minute casting time that he/she/it can cast in one round

 

[Shardstone]

I get you, but that is not the question I am asking. I am not asking what gods can do, but what spells make you think: "yep, a god should be able to do that" I am looking for what what you think are iconic divine abilities as manifested in the 5e spell list.

It's hard for me to see what spells on the Cleric spell list don't apply to gods. Most of the spells are pretty holy themed.

 

[Celebrim]

It's hard for me to see what spells on the Cleric spell list don't apply to gods. Most of the spells are pretty holy themed.

Depends entirely whether you think that holiness is a universal attribute of the gods.

 

[Celebrim]

I would also suggest that each god be able to ignore concentration on one spell (it would be specific for each god, like darkness for Zehir, and I can see an effective "mass hex" or "mass hunters mark" being pretty popular). If they can spam a concentration spell that might freak the party's casters out.

Whenever I've thought about this problem in the past, the real issue has come down to the fact that if you are playing a character that is more god-like than say Marvel's Thor, you run into the problem that their mental capacity and mental state is incomprehensible and incapable of being simulated by mere mortal minds. The more god-like they character becomes, the more they absolutely would need to be able to multi-task in a way that the human just can't. Are you dealing with a superhuman immortal, who like Thor despite his vast prowess is still basically just human in mental prowess, or are you dealing with something that is strikingly deific? If the former, you can probably game it. If the later, then you probably can't.

The other issue you are going to run into is that if you don't silo the abilities, then you don't have a social game, because no one is dependent on anyone for anything else. That is, in something like a Marvel movie, Thor needs Heimdel and can usefully partner with Loki, and even forms useful partnerships with mortals that have skills he doesn't have. But a Thor that has access to basically the whole of the mortal magic list at will, has very little need to partner with anyone else.

 

[dave2008]

It's hard for me to see what spells on the Cleric spell list don't apply to gods. Most of the spells are pretty holy themed.

To clarify, it not that my gods can't cast these spells (any god can in fact cast any mortal spell - there is just a cost to it), but whats spells are free and 2nd nature. What does a god need to communicate or command or threaten or inspire it its mortal worshipers, but costs it nothing?

 

[dave2008]

Whenever I've thought about this problem in the past, the real issue has come down to the fact that if you are playing a character that is more god-like than say Marvel's Thor, you run into the problem that their mental capacity and mental state is incomprehensible and incapable of being simulated by mere mortal minds. The more god-like they character becomes, the more they absolutely would need to be able to multi-task in a way that the human just can't. Are you dealing with a superhuman immortal, who like Thor despite his vast prowess is still basically just human in mental prowess, or are you dealing with something that is strikingly deific? If the former, you can probably game it. If the later, then you probably can't.

That is an issue, but I think of it as the player is responsible for only a party of the deities consciousness. It would be simpler to go with a mythology / marvel approach, but that is not what I am going for. Could be a mistake, but it is what I am interested in.

The other issue you are going to run into is that if you don't silo the abilities, then you don't have a social game, because no one is dependent on anyone for anything else. That is, in something like a Marvel movie, Thor needs Heimdel and can usefully partner with Loki, and even forms useful partnerships with mortals that have skills he doesn't have. But a Thor that has access to basically the whole of the mortal magic list at will, has very little need to partner with anyone else.

I think your wrong on this one. My version of deities are much more "powerful" than Marvel Thor, but there is a definite need for pantheons. They are not omniscient nor omnipotent, not even greater gods (or overgods for that matter).

 

[Celebrim]

What does a god need to communicate or command or threaten or inspire it its mortal worshipers, but costs it nothing?

High charisma? Proficiency at Intimidation?

 

[Celebrim]

It would be simpler to go with a mythology / marvel approach, but that is not what I am going for. Could be a mistake, but it is what I am interested in.

By all means be ambitious. If you overcome the challenges and run a successful campaign, I'll want to hear about it. I wouldn't have already thought about this sort of stuff if I wasn't somewhat interested in your goals.