0-level spells?

[frankthedm]

Nobody mentioned Message yet? For my money it is the single most valuable of the 0 level spells for co-ordinating a group, working with a scout and so on.

Each casting lasts 10mins per level, range is 100ft +10ft/level and targets 1 creature per level, so it is OK at 1st level and just gets better from there on in - the caster acts as the relay station because he can whisper to everyone targetted and they can whisper back to him.

It's great!

Unless the DM has NPCs react to everything PCs say to one another in combat as they should, the spell is not worth it. My players have saved thier lives with it, but sadly many games seem to give free telepathy to PCs.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, each session.
Detect Poison, Mending, often.
Dancing Lights the bad guys with darkvision use it sometimes.

Exactly my experience.

 

[frankthedm]

When I get a chance, I'll dig up the exact reference for you.

3.0 Tome and Blood was the first place where the concept of sneak attacking with spells and touch attacks came up. :\

3.5 has it in complete arcane.

I am against the idea since IMO the damage of sneak attack is well balanced by the fact those who have sneak attatck may not overcome decent AC's.

Another DM in my group simply caps sneak dice = level of spell.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Unless the DM has NPCs react to everything PCs say to one another in combat as they should, the spell is not worth it. My players have saved thier lives with it, but sadly many games seem to give free telepathy to PCs.

True. In my games the players use the Telepathic Bond spell on a regular basis, especially during negotiations b/c I do prevent them from OOC banter when it is important. Right now the kender has a near permanent pout from being regularly left out of the telepathic link (the mage isn't high enough level to get everyone).

I also require them to make bluff checks to avoid their mental conversations being noticed due to distraction or facial expressions that have nothing to do with the audible discussion.

 

[Thanee]

It's still quite a whack though, from a 0-level spell!

Why? The spell only did 1d3 (+50%) damage.

The remaining damage came from a 9th-level class ability (plus some minor stuff), not from the spell.

Bye
Thanee

 

[BadMojo]

Resistance, Detect Magic and Read Magic used fairly often in our group.

 

[Wardo]

My gnomish wizard/rogue/spellthief has sent many a foe to thier graves using sniper tactics with acid splash and ray of frost. 1d3+2d6 sneak attack damage can ruin a person's whole day--at 3rd level.

Another vote for acid splash or ray of frost. Even without sneak-attack, if you can get it in a wand (375 is pretty cheap), its touch attack is far superior to a cross-bow. When I run a low-level one-shot for new players, I make sure the wizard is always equipped with a wand of one of these two, so s/he can always feel magical.

 

[Crothian]

For my Druid I really enjoy Dawn. I use it as a prank spell too!!

 

[TheNovaLord]

our party warmage 1 / scout 1 can do quite a lots with PBS/Pr Sh and a 0 level spell

d3+4INT+d6Skir+1PBS is average=10 pts acid or cold or 9 damage against undead with a disrupt.

Even up to having 2nd level spells 0 level have their uses.

Can be inventive with them and if it doesnt work it isnt such a waste

John

 

[Lanefan]

For her first few levels, my Illusionist made her living with Daze at 0th and Colour Spray at 1st. Now she's 10th, though, none get used...particularly now she's Permanenced Detect Magic on herself.

Lanefan